The early origins of baseball in Philadelphia is so old that some of its very history is not even recorded. Recreation Park — which was a destination for sport and leisure even before 1861 — and was transformed to accommodate Union Cavalry during the American Civil War. Or the famous Jefferson Street Fairgrounds — which once were the home of the Philadelphia Athletics.
Like most of MLB history — when it comes to Memorial Day baseball— our Phillies have a long association. You might probably expect that from a team that is the most historic not only in Major League Baseball but in all of American sports in the United States — dating from as far back as an MLB Opening Day in 1883 — that our Phillies have seen some memorable Memorial Day matchups. You’d be quite correct.
Phillies outfielder Chuck Klein not only hit one home run in the Depression-era double-header in 1931— but hit two. During the 1950 season — the Dodgers would beat the Phillies two times in Brooklyn. By the end of that year it was the Phillies — not the Dodgers — who would advance to the World Series in 1950. A left-handed pitcher on that team — Curt Simmons — who just three years earlier had struck out eleven Phillies players during an exhibition game — would set a club record for strikeouts in an MLB debut in 1947. That record would be tied this past weekend when 23-year old Phillies Pitcher Mick Abel retired nine Pirates players.
In 1980 — another World Series team would beat those same Pittsburgh Pirates 7–6. Like 2025, in 2023 — the Phillies didn’t play a game on Memorial Day. Mick Abel was sent down to the minors and the Phillies once again don’t play on Memorial Day this year.
Oh well — maybe next year.
The post Memorial Day and the Phillies— A Match Made in South Philly Heaven appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.