Phillies Memories: The Greatest Moments in Philadelphia Phillies History

Phillies Memories:
The Greatest Moments in Philadelphia Phillies History

Narrated by Late Hall of Fame Announcer, Harry Kalas.

Over the years, I have seen and owned many Phillies dvds, but this by far was the most entertaining and informative. Phillies Memories is over 2 hours long and it takes us from the start of the franchise all the way to the final out of the 2008 World Series. It’s narrated by one of the most recognizable and missed voices in sports, the Late Harry Kalas. Through the 2 hour journey into Phillies History there are clips and insight of many great players and management from the past, as well as bits of knowledge from baseball and Phillies historians. The video is broken up into several chapters starting with:

The Early Days
First season was not very memorable. The Quakers went 17-81 games in the inaugural season of the future Phillies franchise. One the tidbits I took away from this chapter was that the Phillies never finished in first in the first 30 years. Also covered in The Early Days chapter were the stories of Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein. First Phillies MVP, first triple crown.

The next chapter was called Post War Highs and Lows. One of more interesting notes of this chapter was the fact that former Phillies owner, Bill Cox bet on baseball, earning him a lifetime ban. This opened the door for the famed Carpenter family to take ownership. Throughout 1948, the Phillies had only one 1st place win.

Also included in this chapter where the beloved The Whiz Kids, who had an average age 26. Some time was spent of this team and its leader, Richie Ashburn. They also dug up video footage of the Phillies of the first pennant and the 1950 World Series against the Yankees, our first World Series since 1915.

The next collections of stories to be told were entitled, The Golden Age. Here from the archives we get video of the end of Connie Mack Stadium and opening of Veterans Stadium. They provides clips of Larry Bowa’s first hit of Veterans Stadium and many of the famous Veterans Stadium Promotions, like Kite Man, Cannonman, the clowns, and circus acts. Also covered was Steve Carlton’s 27 wins season on one of the worst teams in baseball history, truly incredible.

Next in this chapter, they focus on the Phillies National League dynasty. Covered was the Phillies Black Friday, the NLCS 1977, the 3 straight NLCS losses. Then they shifted to the season that was almost 100 years in the making, 1980, the first World Champions in Phillies history. Interesting insight in this section, apparently there was lots of turmoil, no perfect chemistry on this team. Another interesting fact touched upon here was the 1980 NLCS, which is considered by some to be the greatest series ever, which included 4 consecutive extra inning games. Phans will enjoy lots of great footage from that historical season and postseason, including the 1980 World Champion Parade.

The next chapter was my favorite, A Wacky, Wonderful Bunch of throwbacks. This was my first season as a season ticket holder and watching this chapter bought home so many great memories. It was great reliving our “Worst to First” season. There are some great behind the scenes and some awesome candid statements. My favorite quote was by Tom Glavine, who called them the “Dirtbags of Baseball”. Clips of the season and postseason where shown here too, including Game 6 of the NLCS, I was there and what an incredible feeling that was. I remember that moment fondly, Philly was buzzin that night. Also covered was Curt Schilling’s World Series Game 5 masterpiece, another game I was lucky enough to witness first hand.

After the disappointing end to a great season by one of the most memorable and loved teams in all Philly sports, the dvd shifted to the rebuilding years and laying the foundations of a future winner. In the part, the stories of Scott Rollen, Mike Lieberthal, Pat “the bat” Burrell, Jimmy Rollins and the arrival of Jim Thome. They make mention that the signing of Thome was the turning point in the focus of the team, from perennial losers to a future of winning season after winning season.
The last part of this chapter was the final year of our home, Veterans Stadium. Some called The Vet a “Dump”, but it was our dump and we loved it. The Kevin Milwood no-hitter was spotlighted. (I was there for that too) The last part of this chapter was focused on the Final Moments of The Vet. I was lucky to get tickets to all 3 final games. Some day, I will have to scan in all my old Phillies photos and post them here and on my other site, Phillies Win World Series.

The next two chapters were relatively short, probably because they are very recent in all our memories and they are: The Rebirth and Champions. The Rebirth covered the opening of Citizens Bank Park. (more moments I was lucky to be a part of) This chapter focused on the building of our championship team. Ed Wade was highly criticized in Philadelphia and I was one of the ones that love to second guess our former GM. But in watching these memories, Wade laid the foundation of last year’s World Champions and we as Phans owe him a great big debt of gratitude, because if not for Wade’s moves, Pat Gillick would not have been able to put the final pieces of the puzzle together.

Champions focused on the great season of 2008, when we won our second ever World Championship. Great clips from throughout the season and the most memorable October in recent memory. Again, this was something I was fortunate to witness first hand. I was there when for Game 2 of the NLDS when the Phils beat up on C.C. Sabathia and again for NLCS Game 2, when we beat the Dodgers. But, none the memories will match the next game I attended, Game 5 of the World Series. I still get the chills every time I see Brad Lidge strike out Eric Hinske. Again, this moment was so memorable, that I create Phillies Phan site, which includes my videos and pictures from the 2008 World Series. Just remember it is a work in progress and I am buy no means a web developer, I am like you, just a Phillies Phan and proud of it.

This great dvd concludes with the The Phantastic Forty, the ultimate Phillies 40 man roster. Remember these are not mine, they are from the dvd. Though, I would have to agree with most of there picks.

First Base: John Kruk, Ryan Howard,
Second Base: Juan Samuel, Chase Utley
Third Base: Scott Rolen, Dick Allen, Mike Schmidt
Shortstop: Dave Bancroft, Larry Bowa, Jimmy Rollins
Catcher: Darren Daulton, Andy Seminick, Bob Boone
Left Field: Sherry McGee, Greg Luzinski, Pat Burrell, Ed Delahanty
Centerfield: Lenny Dykstra, Garry Maddox, Billy Hamilton, Richie Ashburn
Right Field: Bobby Abreu, Johnny Callison, Gavvy Cravath, Sam Thompson, Chuck Klein
Starting Pitchers: Curt Schilling, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Steve Carlton, Curt Simmons, Robin Roberts,
Relief Pitchers: Brad Lidge, Larry Andersen, Mitch Williams, Tug McGraw,
Coaches/ Managers: Jim Fregosi, Dallas Green, Gene Mauch, Eddie Sawyer, Charlie Manuel
Honorary Member: John Vukovich

The bonus features are fun to watch too, they are listed below:

Legendary Last Outs: 1950 NLCS, 1980 NLCS, 1980 World Series, 1983 NLCS, 1993 NLCS, 2008 NLDS, 2008 NLCS, 2008 World Series
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” Rollins and Howard
Last Out of No-Hitters
Jimmy Bunning 1964 Perfect Game
Rick Wise 1971 No Hitter
Terry Mulholland 1990 No Hitter
Tommy Greene 1991 No Hitter
Kevin Millwood 2003 No Hitter
Larry Andersen Sprays on Fake Hair

Phillies Memories: The Greatest Moments in Philadelphia Phillies History is a must own for all Phans of the Philadelphia Phillies. The memories, the moments, the history of our beloved Phillies belongs in your dvd collection. You will not regret it.