Philadelphia Baseball History

In baseball history, a team's stadium can be as much of a star of the game as the best players.  Stadiums bring character to the game, invoking strong emotions and memories.  Ebbets Field, Fenway Park, the Polo Grounds, Yankees Stadium, all cathedrals where fans revere the performances of star players from their respective teams' storied past. The Phillies have had its share of memorable ballparks, contributing to the unique personality of the different eras in the team's history.  One of the most memorable venues that framed the team's triumphs and tribulations was the Baker Bowl. Known originally as the Philadelphia Base Ball Grounds, the Baker Bowl first welcomed fans in 1887.  The stadium, considered state of the art upon its completion, replaced Recreation Park as the home of the Phillies.  Recreation Park had itself earned a place in Philadelphia baseball history, having served as the home field of the Philadelphia Centennials, one of three teams tha...

Controversial plays happen, particularly in the World Series.  Not all of them are as clear-cut as the blown call in the bottom of the ninth inning of game 6 of the 1985 World Series, where Royals Jorge Orta was called safe at first.  Had replay review existed back then, Orta would have been called out, and the Cardinals would have captured another World Championship.  Instead, the Royals staged a comeback in that inning, and then took game 7 to win their first World Championship. But other plays are not so clear-cut, and spark debate among sports fans for decades.  Had replay review existed, would it have changed the outcome of the entire World Series?  Some of those plays, though controversial at the time, have faded into the background of baseball history. One such play occurred in game 5 of the 1980 World Series.  Rookie phenom, and Pitcher of the Month for September, Marty Bystrom took the mound against the Royals.  Bystr...