A brawl that lives on | Sports Daily Newsletter
Some Bonner alums still relish a 700 Level fight at the Vet.
Every year around this time, several alums from Monsignor Bonner High look back fondly on the afternoon they spent at Veterans Stadium on April 12, 1999. It was the Phillies home opener against the Braves and some of them made national news of sorts as they embellished the Vet’s reputation.
First of all, no one was seriously hurt, but several Bonner students were part of a huge brawl in the 700 Level that included a few construction workers and a guy known only as Doughboy. The Braves and Phillies stopped to watch, as did the umpires.
The fight in the stands was shown on ESPN, CNN, Fox News, and The Late Show with David Letterman. It was featured prominently in The Inquirer, the Daily News, and other newspapers. It became a big deal. One of the brawlers, Dan McLaughlin, says he still hears from “20 to 30” of his counterparts every opening day, and the fight is still a point of pride for them.
McLaughlin recalls being called into the principal’s office by Bonner’s disciplinarian, who angrily showed him the back page of the Daily News, which featured McLaughlin in the brawl under the headline “ANIMAL HOUSE.”
“What do you have to say about this?” the disciplinarian demanded.
McLaughlin’s reply: “Where can I get a copy?”
— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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Yes, it’s too soon to extrapolate much from a 10-inning comeback victory against a Nationals team that’s likely to lose 100 games. There’s even less meaning in a single swing when there are thousands more to come over six months.
But it’s Bryce Harper, and he’s off to a 3-for-25 start, and the Phillies don’t play again until this afternoon in Denver. So, why don’t we dig in on that 425-foot homer in the eighth inning Wednesday, Harper’s first dinger of the season?
And while we’re at it, here are a few other way-too-early observations from the season-opening homestand.
Next: The Phillies open a three-game series at 4:10 p.m. today in Colorado (NBCSP). Aaron Nola (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will be opposed by Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.23).
After welcoming top prospect Porter Martone into the lineup on Tuesday, the Flyers got another boost on Thursday with the return of Tyson Foerster.
Foerster, who had missed the last 49 games with an upper-body injury, had not played since Dec. 1. Before his injury, Foerster was leading the team with 10 goals in 21 games.
Foerster returned with a bang, scoring the game’s first goal but the Flyers could not gain ground in the playoff chase with a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings.
Back to Martone: The rookie’s arrival meant a significant jump for the Flyers in one outlet’s prospect pool rankings.
The Eagles have made 53 first-round draft picks in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Some of them have been game-changers, some of them have been just bad, honestly. In a fun exercise, Jeff Neiburg rates all of the Eagles’ first-round selections, from Jalen Reagor to Mike Mamula to Lane Johnson and more.
Granted, the Sixers were facing the putrid Washington Wizards on Wednesday, but Paul George put up 39 points, his highest total in two seasons with the team. A nagging knee injury and a 25-game drug suspension put a crimp on the former All-Star’s season for sure. But George has served his penalty and says nearly two months away from games helped his knee heal: “Feels like I’m back to myself.”
Sports snapshot
Rooting for nuggets: The Sixers’ Bricken for Chicken promotion is a hit with fans — and players, too.
La Salle baseball: The Explorers pitched their first no-hitter since 1997. Their pitching coach gets an assist.
Women’s Final Four: Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma clash in a national semifinal tonight.
Baseball’s future: Citizens Bank Park will host the All-American Classic for high school stars.
Our best sports 📸 of the week
Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos include the debuts of Porter Martone and Andrew Painter, plenty of shots from the Phillies’ homestand and more.
Who said it?
Justin Crawford has had quite a start with the Phillies. Think you know who said this about the rookie? You can find out here.
What you’re saying about favorite eras
We asked: What’s your favorite era of Philly sports? Among your responses:
Oct. 12, 1980: Phillies beat Kansas City to win the World Series. Jan. 26, 1981: Eagles lose Super Bowl, 27-10, to the Oakland Raiders and Jim Plunkett’s 9-7. May 24, 1980: The Flyers lose the Stanley Cup Finals 4 games to 3 in overtime to the NY Islanders. May 16, 1980: Sixers lose to the LA Lakers 4 games to 2, with rookie Magic Johnson named MVP.
From May 16, 1980 to Jan. 26, 1981, Philadelphia teams were 4 victories from winning all 4 major titles. What could be better? — George B.
The ultimate sports era was 80-81 when all 4 major sports teams played in their respective championship series. While only the 1980 Phillies won a title, it was a thrill to root the Vermeil Eagles, the Dr. J Sixers and the Bobby Clarke Flyers. It was a breakthrough for Philly fans, thirsting for a championship. — Bob C.
For me, the 1950s were the most exciting because it was my coming out time as a fan. Started with my 1st ever MLB game watching the Phils in 1948, and then the amazing Whiz Kids winning the NL for the 1st time since 1915. Our former Warriors won in 1955-56 with Wilt leading the way, finally dominating the hated Celtics. The Eagles struggled during this decade but started the ’60s with the victory over the Packers during the team’s last NFL championship game prior to the Super Bowls. — Everett S.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber, Jeff Neiburg, Gabriela Carroll, Gus Elvin, Gina Mizell, Ariel Simpson, Jonathan Tannenwald, and Colin Schofield.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Have a great weekend. We’ll be back with the best in Philly sports in Monday’s newsletter. — Jim