Best all-around day in Phila. sports history?
Was yesterday unmatched in Philadelphia sports history?
Was yesterday unmatched in Philadelphia sports history?
Was there ever a day before when all four major teams contributed as much excitement?
Probably not, opined Angelo Cataldi and his fellow sports talkers this morning on WIP (610 AM).
But who can be sure?
After all, nothing that super-historic happened yesterday.
There was no championship or championship parade, no Hall of Fame induction, not even a round-clinching playoff victory.
But the Sixers staged a dramatic comeback for a playoff victory, the Flyers also won a playoff game (following a fan-friendly carnival), the Phillies triumphed on a walk-off home run, and Eagles introduced a Pro Bowl left tackle - a key to continuing fans' Super Bowl dreams.
Can you top that?
How is your memory, Philly fans?
The answer should involve all four teams - and at least one better playoff win.
(Obviously, a single championship makes for a better day - even if everybody else loses - but that's a different yardstick.)
One shot would be to check October of 2008, 1993, 1983 and 1980 - the only years the Phillies made the playoffs while the Flyers were in town.
But no clear topper was found.
Here are two remarkable days, however:
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. The Phillies had a 10-2 victory in Game 4 of the World Series, helped by an unlikely homer by starter Joe Blanton, and the Eagles beat the Falcons at the Linc. There was even a Who concert at Wachovia Center. Great day. But the Flyers' weekend wins over the Jersey Devils came on Friday and Saturday, and the Sixers were a few days away from starting their season.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 1980: The Phillies won Game 5 of the World Series, the Eagles beat the Cowboys 17-10 at home, and the Flyers beat Montreal at the Spectrum. Sounds like three more exciting wins. Alas, the Sixers did not play, though they did trounce the Bullets the night before.
You could argue that does indeed top yesterday, because the Eagles announced the Jason Peters trade on Friday.
Yesterday was only a news conference.
But then we're still searching for a true four-team day.
You can probably forget any major Phillies announcements on any day the Eagles had a playoff game.
That leaves another spring day like yesterday.
Sixers and Flyers have gotten deeper in the playoffs, and the Phils play often enough that another three-win day is likely.
But with a major Eagles move?
Most big-name free-agents are signed in March, before the Phillies play real games.
Do signings of draftees and returnees count?
Got any suggestions?
We'll keep looking, too.
Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.