With no sports for the foreseeable future, I think it’s time to take a look back at some of the best memories that I’ve been able to witness in Philly sports. Now I know everyone will have different lists/moments, and in all honesty, that’s the beauty of this thing. Every fan has their own niche and preference, so because of that I implore all of you to make your own lists, and it doesn’t have to be Philly sports. If you’re a fan of any other teams, I’m sure there are dozens of moments you’ve gotten to experience. For my list, I’m going to do a top five with a few honorable mentions. There’s so many moments to talk about, but I think these few stand apart from the rest. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Honorable Mentions
1. “The Shift” by Claude Giroux vs. the Penguins in the Playoffs (2012)
2. “Snow Bowl” Game: Eagles vs. Lions (2013)
3. Bryce Harper’s First Home-Run as a Phillie (2019)
4. The Process Era Sixers (2013-2017 RIP)
5. Miracle at the Meadlowlands Part 2
#5: AI steps over Ty Lue (2001)
In a battle of David vs. Goliath, for one day, David reigned supreme. In the 2001 NBA finals, the upstart Sixers somehow found their way in a match up against a dominant Lakers team that was headlined by Kobe (RIP) and Shaq. The Lakers were on a quest not only for a title, but playoff perfection as they had not lost a game in the playoffs prior to this bout. AI and his team would have something to say about that.
Not only was Iverson dubbed, “The Answer”, but he embodied Philadelphia. On a hot night in June in Los Angeles, Iverson would show the world the true colors of Philly.
With his heart and grit, AI dominated the scoring for the Sixers as he had 48 points. Even with that output, the Lakers made it very difficult for the Sixers to pull away. Every time LA got close, AI had, you guessed it, the answer.
The game was pushed into overtime, as both teams went back and forth trading buckets. With just over 51 seconds left in OT, AI had an opportunity to silence the crowd once and for all. A cross over turned into a step-back jumper as it hit nothing but net. In front of the Laker bench, Iverson emphatically stepped over Lue and looked at him as if to say, “You can’t guard me.”
For once, in a night where everyone doubted them, the Sixers came through. Unfortunately they lost the series 4-1, but even taking a game off the Lakers while not the moral victory the team aspired for, was still pretty cool in its own right.
#4: Roy Halladay No-Hitter against the Reds (2010)
Fortunately, I was lucky enough to see this in person, and it was absolutely amazing. The sheer dominance that Doc had over that Reds team that night was impressive to say the least. I’ll never forget the roar of the crowd when Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz threw out Brandon Phillips from his knees.
Earlier that year, Halladay threw a perfect game against the Marlins, made the All-Star team, and went 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA in 250 innings. To say the no-hit outing capped off a fantastic season for Doc was an understatement. Unfortunately for the Phils, they would eventually lose to the Giants in the NLCS.
During Doc’s time in Philly, he was beloved by the fans. He was very similar to Chase Utley as they both would go to work day in and day out, and that earned the respect of the Philly faithful. Utley told a story of how on the first day of Spring Training, Halladay finished his workout at 5:45 AM, at the same time, Utley stepped in the door of the clubhouse to begin his day. Utley later said, “I knew right then and there this guy was the real deal.”
The real deal he was. In four years with the Phils and 12 years with the Blue Jays he compiled: Two Cy Young Awards, eight All-Star Appearances, over 2700 innings pitched, a miraculous 67 complete games, over 200 wins, and over 2100 strikeouts in his illustrious career.
My family and I named our dog after him, people loved what he brought to the city and the team. Unfortunately, Doc passed away after a plane crash in 2017. He was passionate, talented, and most importantly, humble. I modeled part of my game and work ethic after him and was so sad to see him go.
This moment was extra special to me for those multiple reasons and it is certainly something that I’ll never forget.
We miss you Doc. Rest in Peace.
#3: Flyers comeback from 3-0 against the Bruins (2010)
Coming back from a 3-0 deficit is nearly impossible in any sport. Before the Flyers were able to accomplish that feat in 2010, only two other franchises (Toronto in 1942, and the Islanders in 1975) were successful in completing the comeback. A few years after, the LA Kings came back to beat the San Jose Sharks in 2014 in the first round. To say this does not happen often is an understatement.
During this series I remember the frustration from the fan base. Being down 3-0 to a good Bruins team was disappointing, but I knew this Flyers squad had some fight left in them. The Fly Guys were pushed to the brink of elimination in overtime in Game Four, but a clutch redirection goal by Simon Gagne turned the tide of the series.
The Orange and Black stormed back as they took games five and six. Then, it all came down to the two greatest words in sports, Game Seven.
The Flyers were down 3-0 in the series, and funny enough, they were down 3-0 in Game Seven. A lucky goal scored by current Flyer James van Riemsdyk cut the deficit to two at the end of the first period. That goal was massively important as the momentum yet again turned in the way of Philadelphia.
Just like that, Scott Hartnell and then Danny Brière netted goals to tie things up 3-3. Almost exactly like they did in the previous days before, the Flyers had come back from 3-0, and they would not be denied a comeback.
Off a rebound with 7:08 remaining in the third period, Simon Gagne, once again played hero for Philadelphia. He put a shot top left corner past the shoulder of Tuukka Rask and into the net. The Flyers would hold on to complete the unthinkable.
Peter Laviolette had his team buzzing at the right time, and they took that fuel all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, and eventually lost against the dynasty that was the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the fact that the Flyers, down 3-0 twice, were able to make that kind of run, was pretty miraculous.
Lesson learned, don’t doubt the underdog. More on that later.
#2: Phillies World Series (2008)
Growing up loving baseball, and knowing the names Chase "The Man" Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Cole "Hollywood" Hammels, Jason "Werthless" Werth, Shane "The Flyin Hawaiian" Victorino, Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz, it was safe to say that I was indoctrinated into the Philly fandom from a young age. I got my first taste of how special this city was, when I first started going to Phillies games. The passion, the intensity, but most important the desire to win, was why the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies hold an important place in my heart. This team was equally important to revitalizing a winning culture in a city that hadn’t seen it in a long time.
My thanks to the 2008 Philles (Memories and Moments)
To Brett Myers countless at-bats against C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS, to Shane Victorino’s grand-slam. To Matt Stairs who promptly, “ripped one into the night” against the Dodgers in the NLCS, to then Chase Utley and Ryan Howard going back to back in Game Three of the World Series. To Joe Blanton, a pitcher, going deep in Game Four. To the ageless wonder Jaime Moyer proving he’s still got it.
To game five, when a weather delay made Philadelphia wait just a day longer for a championship. To Chase Utley doing what he does best and making a game saving throw home to gun-out Jason Bartlett to keep the game tied.
To Pat “The Bat” Burrell who doubled off the left center field wall, to then Pedro “For President” Feliz knocking him home an out later.
To Brad “Lights Out” Lidge, who came in to close things out in the 9th as he struck out Eric Hinske to the tune of Harry Kallas’ voice, “the 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss, struck him out! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of Baseball!”
Thank you for fulfilling a childhood dream.
#1: Eagles Super Bowl (2018)
The reason why this was at the top spot was because the Eagles are Philadelphia. If there's one team that unites the city together, it's the Eagles. When that clock hit zero, a weight was lifted off the city and the fans shoulders. It was a weight that compounded years of turmoil, struggle, heartbreak, but after all that, when the dust settled, champions emerged.
It was the perfect storm. The Birds were doubted by the majority of analysts prior to making the run to the Super Bowl. In the Divisional match up against the Falcons at home, they were underdogs. After that win, the underdog mentality powered the team and the fans all the way to Minneapolis.
Having the injury to Carson Wentz against the Rams earlier in the season was certainly a tough blow. Wentz was having an MVP type year, and it wouldn't be a Philly sports season if the best player got injured. People forget though, this was one of the most complete rosters in Eagles history. From top to bottom this team had talent, and in the playoffs everyone stepped up.
Another important factor for the Birds run was having home field advantage. Playing at the Linc made things so much easier, as the rowdy Philly faithful made it more than difficult for the Falcons and Vikings to do anything in terms of offensive production. Speaking of the Vikings, let’s talk about those guys.
Going into the NFC Championship game, the Vikings again were favored. Coming off, “The Minnesota Miracle” against the Saints, Minnesota and its fans believed it was their destiny to reach the Super Bowl since they would be hosting the big game in February. Hundreds of Minnesota fans traveled to Philly. Some fans did their “Skol” chant on the Art Museum steps, they put Vikings gear on the Rocky statue, and boy how bad of a look that turned out to be.
The Birds destroyed the Vikings 38-7 in front of a raucous crowd at the Linc as chants of “Foles! Foles! Foles!” rang throughout the city. The Eagles got hot at the right time and were now back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2004. Their opponents, the team that bested them that same year, the evil empire themselves, the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick we're on a quest for their sixth ring. However, Nick Foles and Doug Pederson had something to say about that. Since the game was played in Minnesota, disgruntled Vikings fans who felt that they were mistreated the week before in Philadelphia came to cheer on the Patriots in spite of Philadelphia and its fans. So in other words, the Eagles were underdogs again.
The game lived up to the hype and then some. Brady and Foles went back and forth down the field. Score after score, the points and the yards piled up. Defense was sparsely seen, especially in the first half.
A huge turning point in the game, and something fans will never forget, was the “Philly Special”. On a fourth and goal, late in the second quarter, Doug Pederson and Nick Foles met on the sideline and discussed a play dubbed by Foles as “Philly Philly”, Pederson locked eyes with his quarterback and smiled as he said, “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Everyone remembers the play, Foles lined up under center then moved right as he yelled, “Easy! Easy! Kill! Kill! Lane! Lane!” The ball was snapped, and Corey Clement flipped the ball back to Trey Burton, a former quarterback, who threw a lob pass right into the chest of Foles who sauntered into the end zone for an Eagles touchdown.
Not only was this score important to increase the Eagles lead, but it also showed that Doug Pederson had no fear in going up against Brady and Belichick. He knew he’d have to go all in if he wanted to beat them, and that’s exactly the approach many coaches were afraid to do, but Pederson pulled it off.
What’s also funny is that Brady dropped a pass on a similar trick play earlier in the game.
The game was physical, to say the least. Malcolm Jenkins hit on Brandin Cooks was a prime example of how bad both teams wanted this. Even though the Eagles lead at the half, the Patriots fought back, as they always do and Tom Brady was having the game of his life. He consistently hit his receivers as he had time to analyze coverages down the field, and that is when he is the most dangerous.
Just as the Eagles saw their lead grow, it quickly dissipated in the third and fourth quarter. Down 33-32, Foles had to lead yet another drive to take the lead back. A huge fourth down conversion in their own territory was another key to the successful seven minute drive.
Foles killed a ton of clock, and ended the possession on a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz, who was left one-on-one against a corner, and a simple inside slant route brought him to the end zone. What wasn’t simple was the ruling of a touchdown. Ertz broke the plane with the ball, but lost control on the way down. To many, except Cris Collinsworth, it was obvious, it was a touchdown.
The game was not over yet as Brady tried to mount a counter attack. Surprisingly, the defense, which had been shellacked all night, came up big. Brandon Graham got around the Patriots tackle and stripped Tom Brady of the ball, and Derek Barnett recovered. The Eagles would convert a field goal off the leg of Jake Elliott to make it an eight point game, 41-33. Still a one score game, and with a minute left to try and tie it, Brady had an uphill battle. He marched down the field, and got close to midfield, which was in a prime distance for a hail-mary pass.
With no time left, Brady lofted a ball high into the air. For a moment, everyone in Philadelphia collectively held their breath. When the ball hit the ground, it was pure elation. The Eagles were finally Super Bowl Champions. After years and years of pain and misery, the underdogs finally came out on top.
What this championship meant to the city was more than outsiders will know. Walking out on Broad Street to see everyone happy over a common thing was a sight to see. I shed multiple tears not only for the win, but because I knew that there were so many fans that didn’t get a chance to see this win and share it with us. My grandfather, for example, was a die hard Eagles fan. Unfortunately, he passed away a year and a half before the Eagles won, but I knew deep down, as people poured out of their apartments on Broad Street and marched to City Hall, my grandfather and all those who were fans before us, were smiling.
Jason Kelce's at the Super Bowl parade said it best, "And you know who the biggest underdog is? It’s y’all, Philadelphia. For 52 years, y’all have been waiting for this. You want to talk about an underdog? You want to talk about a hungry dog? For 52 years you’ve been starved of this championship."
The city is starved no longer, but now, it's hungrier than ever to taste success again.
Getting the chance to write about and relive these moments has been a great experience. I hope you all enjoyed it, and hopefully after the Coronavirus dies down, we can have plenty more awesome moments in the years to come!