The first ball was dropped by helicopter to Phillies back-up catcher Mike Ryan.[8]. Later that winter, both men died.The last public address was by long time Phillies announcer Harry Kalas,"And now, Veterans Stadium is like a 3-1 pitch to Jim Thome or Mike Schmidt. ä The second memorable homer occurred on June 25, 1971 when Stargell became the first player to hit a home run into the 600 level in the upper deck at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. He tore both of his patella knee tendons, ending his career.Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt ended his career with bad knees, partially due to the hard surface.The original AstroTurf was eventually replaced by a new surface, NexTurf, in 2001. Unlike the old baseball stadiums, the wall surrounding the outfield was the exact same height and design all the way around. As I read this it was like walking back in time. The "300 level" had what were known as "Terrace Boxes". It continually ranked the NFL's worst field by player surveys. The proposed ballpark would have seated 45,000 fans, been expandable to 60,000 and would have had 15,000 parking spaces. This would be the last League Championship series with a two division format. The volatile mix of beer, the "bounty" and the intense hatred for "America's Team" (who were 1–15 that season) led to fans throwing snowballs at Dallas players and coaches. With a career riddled with injuries and nagging pain, Willie Stargell retired in 1982 after posting 2,232 hits, 1,195 runs, 1,540 RBI, 475 home runs and a career .282 batting average. [30], From 1970 to 1987, the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) played its annual all-star game at various major league stadiums. 1 - Willie Stargell crushed one home run on June 25, 1971, it hit a seat in Section 601, and it was the longest home run ever hit at Veterans Stadium (half credit to Jim Bunning). One of the more well-known examples of the fans' behavior was during the 1989 season at a follow-up game to what many called the "Bounty Bowl". These behemoth colliseums were constructed of concrete, concrete and more concrete! (2007), For the stadium in New Britain, Connecticut, see, "The Vet" redirects here. The Vet's "400 level" was reserved for VIPs and the press. The last show at the stadium was Bon Jovi on July 26, 2003. The seats at Veterans Stadium were originally painted brown, terra cotta, orange and yellow, to look like an autumn day. The problem was solved by using asphalt hot mix, which allowed for a solid, level playing surface, but required a jackhammer for removal whenever the stadium was converted from football back to baseball (between August and October of each year). Again defeating the Giants 1-0.In 1971, Willie Stargell hit the longest home run in stadium history. The only other nine inning no hitter at Veternas Stadium was tossed by Kevin Milwood on April 27, 2003. In 2001, the original AstroTurf was eventually replaced by a new surface, NexTurf. Because of cost overruns, the voters had to go to the polls again in 1967 to approve another $13 million. The seams were clearly visible and contained many gaps which led to it being called the "Field of Seams". The Phillies would lose the World Series in six games to the Toronto Blue Jays. On June 6, 2005, the anniversary of World War II's D-Day, a plaque and monument to commemorate the spot where the stadium stood and a memorial for all veterans was dedicated by the Phillies before their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The lowest, or "100 Level", extended only part way around the structure, between roughly the 25-yard lines for football games and near the two dugouts for baseball. Long before Davis' and Irvin's injuries, Cleveland Browns standout defensive tackle Jerry Sherk contracted a near-fatal staph infection from the Veterans Stadium turf during a 1979 game. More bio, uniform, draft, salary info It's on a looooooong drive…IT'S OUTTA HERE!!!" BL-250-2001 (Eric Enders / National Baseball Hall of Fame Library) Willie Stargell - Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies 00:54 Of course the most memorable Veterans Stadium moment is the 1980 World Series. The site is now the parking lot for the new Phillies ball park, Citizens Bank Park. The Eagles moved into Lincoln Financial Field in August 2003.[12]. The "100 level" ran only part way around. SBI! The Eagles' team president Joe Banner was irate after the game, calling the stadium's conditions "absolutely unacceptable" and "an embarrassment to the city of Philadelphia. On September 28 of that same year, the second anniversary of the final game, a historical marker commemorating where the ballpark once stood was dedicated. The total cost of $50 million made it one of the most expensive baseball stadiums ever.Philadelphia City Council named the new stadium after veterans of all wars. [54] The nine venues eventually chosen to host matches were all stadiums that did not host baseball games. [29][11] Two years later, fans threw D-Cell batteries at St. Louis Cardinals outfielder J. D. Drew after he spurned the Phillies' offer to play with them, and wound up going back into the draft and picked by the Cardinals. Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium and Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium were built around the same time with the same goal in mind. There was no flirting with any part of the playing field, … [51], The stadium was the home field for the Philadelphia Atoms and the Philadelphia Fury, both North American Soccer League teams. The new "wave" of baseball stadiums were being built as multi purpose venues that would house both baseball and football. In addition to the challenge of installing a natural grass field for the games, FIFA would have required the Phillies to vacate the stadium for a month to allow for sufficient preparation time prior to the matches. Jim Bunning was the winning pitcher while Bill Stoneman took the loss. The infection forced him to miss 22 of the Browns' next 23 games and ended a run of nine and a half seasons in the Browns' starting lineup. (2011), A brief history of how the stadium was named and a tribute to veterans of all wars is on display outside where the stadium stood. City officials, however, promised that the stadium would be suitable for play when the regular season started. The team played their first game at their new home at Citizens Bank Park on April 12, 2004. Veterans Stadium hosted Philadelphia's City Title high-school football championship game from 1973 to 1977 and in 1979. The emcee for the opening ceremonies was newly-arrived Phillies play-by-play announcer Harry Kalas. 9. It hosted the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1971 to 2003 and the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) from 1971 to January 2003. It's dimensions were symetrical. The most famous pitcher to give up a home run in a new park was Steve Carlton at the dedication of Olympic Stadium in Montreal, April 15, 1977. On August 5, 1969, Stargell hit a home run off of Dodgers’ right-hander Alan Foster that left the stadium and measured 507 feet, the longest home run ever hit at Chavez Ravine. The first football game on the new turf was scheduled to take place on August 13, 2001, when the Eagles were to play the Baltimore Ravens in a preseason game. The "500" and "600 level" were upper deck, reserved seats. Entertainer Mike Douglas, whose daily talk show was taped in Philadelphia, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game. Beloved in Pittsburgh for his style of play and affable manner, Stargell hit seven of the 18 balls ever hit over Forbes Field's 86-foot-high right-field stands and several of the upper-tier home runs at its successor, Three Rivers Stadium. After several seasons of coming close and winning the eastern Division, the Philadelphia Phillies finally made it in 1980. Like so many others before it, the "Vet" is now just a Stadium In Time".Veterans Stadium Dimensions:The Vet was reffered to as "one of those cookie cutter stadiums". At his home ballparks, Stargell was one of a few to reach the upper deck at Three Rivers Stadium. On September 28, 2003, the Phialdelphia Phillies played their final game at Veterans Stadium. Forty years ago today, Willie Stargell did something that no one else had ever done before and no one else had ever done since. Both Paul Owens, a former general manager, and Tug McGraw, a former pitcher, made their final public appearances at the park that day; both men died that winter. [21] However, the city crew that installed the new turf reportedly did not install it properly, resulting in seams being visible in several places. The event was the start of a 14-city summer tour. Larry Bowa had the stadium's first hit and Don Money hit the first homerun. The "500" and "600 level" were upper deck, reserved seats. The Thunder beat the Canton–Akron Indians, 10–9, in front of 483 fans on April 20, 1994, and won 9–3 on April 21. Only two other players would hit a home run into the 600 level, the upper deck, at the Vet (before it closed), Butch Huskey (Section 638) & Ruben Rivera (Section 638). On May 22, 1968, Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell hits three home runs in a 13-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, when the white circle was painted black. The "Vet" opened on April 10, 1971 at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in Philadelphia. [4], The American League's Philadelphia Athletics had moved to Kansas City, Missouri after the 1954 season, the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors had moved to San Francisco in 1962, and Philadelphians weren't about to lose another professional sports franchise. He also received his second NL Player of the Month award. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder and first baseman for the […] The spot where the ball landed was marked with a … City officials, however, promised that the stadium would be suitable for play when the regular season started.Memorable Moments:Of course the most memorable Veterans Stadium moment is the 1980 World Series. Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1963 season Full Name: Wilver Dornel Stargell Nicknames: Pops. The star remained until the stadium's 2004 demolition. A number of opposing players were injured due to the poor field condition. The 1984 game was played at Veterans Stadium. The marking stayed until the Vet was demolished.During the 1998 Army-Navy game, a serious accident occurred when a support rail collapsed and eight West Point cadets were injured. (7/11/1979) Pirates players Dave Parker and Willie Stargell hit back-to-back home runs. The series was suspended in 1980. The stadium has hosted many stadium concerts, by famous artists of many different genres. The only dirt anywhere on the field was in the sliding pits around the bases. The Eastern League Trenton Thunder played two home games at the stadium in April 1994. (2006), The historic marker shows the stadium's major moments. On August 15, 1990, Terry Mulholland threw the first no hitter at the Vet, beating the San Francisco Giants 6-0. Team president Joe Banner was irate after the game, calling the Vet's conditions "absolutely unacceptable" and "an embarrassment to the city of Philadelphia." The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle. On the 25th, he hit the longest home run in the history of Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. The spot where the ball landed was marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle. View Willie Stargell's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). It's dimensions were symetrical. This was the lower stands. On September 28, 2005, the second anniversary of the stadium's final game, a historical marker commemorating where the ballpark once stood was dedicated. On March 21, 2004, the 32-year-old stadium was imploded in 62 seconds. Ten years later, the Phillies again took the Eastern Division title at Veterans Stadium against the Atlanta Braves. And of course, there was no grass since the Vet was completely Astro-Turfed(In 2001, Nex Turf replaced the Astro Turf). This would be the last League Championship series with a two division format. (2007), Dedication plaque that once was attached to The Vet. The stadium's design was nearly circular, and was known as an "octorad" design, which attempted to facilitate both football and baseball. After the game, Cowboys rookie head coach Jimmy Johnson commented that Eagles coach Buddy Ryan instituted a bounty on Zendejas and Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman. Willie hit two. In Veterans Stadium. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego had been similarly designed. He hit a second home run out of Dodger Stadium on May 8, 1973, against … Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. In particular, the acoustics greatly enhanced the crowd noise on the field, making it nearly impossible for opposing players to hear one another. He was 61. Two weeks later, on December 10, they played the rematch dubbed "Bounty Bowl II" at the stadium which the Eagles won 20–10. Veterans Stadium was demolished on March 21, 2004. Jun 26, 2020 - Explore Bill White's board "Willie Stargell" on Pinterest. Way back in 1964, Philadelphia voters approved a $25 million bond for the new stadium. Boots Day opened the game by grounding out to Bunning. The two games were interrupted multiple times by rain showers. A hole in the wall allowed visiting teams' players to peep into the Eagles Cheerleaders dressing room. The CCBL won the game 7–3 behind the performance of winning pitcher and future major leaguer Joe Magrane of the University of Arizona.[47]. The listed seating capacities in 1971 were 65,358 seats for football, and 56,371 for baseball. Granite spaces marking the former locations of home plate, the pitching mound, and the three bases for baseball, as well as the goalpost placements for football, were added onto the parking lot in April 2006. Boxscore The last public address was by long time Phillies announcer Harry Kalas,"And now, Veterans Stadium is like a 3-1 pitch to Jim Thome or Mike Schmidt. A parking lot now sits on its former site. They also won the National League pennant only to lose the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles.Ten years later, the Phillies again took the Eastern Division title at Veterans Stadium against the Atlanta Braves. [6] However, the opening was delayed a year because of a combination of bad weather and cost overruns. Left and right center power alleys were at 371 and center field stood at 408 feet. Wilver Dornel Stargell was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. [23] In that game, Cowboys placekicker Luis Zendejas suffered a concussion during a rough block by linebacker Jessie Small after a kickoff. Stargell … The final hit at the Vet was a single by the Phills' Pat Burrell in the bottom of the 9th. I grew up watching Willie Stargell hitting monster home runs and tons of them. This was the lower stands.The Vet's "400 level" was reserved for VIPs and the press. He smacked a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium. In 1983, the Phillies again won the Eastern Division against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Team president Joe Banner was irate after the game, calling the Vet's conditions "absolutely unacceptable" and "an embarrassment to the city of Philadelphia." When he hit 40 home … The Phillies' then-home, Connie Mack Stadium, was starting to show its age (it had been built in 1909), had inadequate parking, and was located in a declining neighborhood. Veterans Stadium has recently become nothing but another memory. In 1971, Willie Stargell hit the longest home run in stadium history. Home plate at Veterans Stadium, home to the Philadelphia Phillies for thirty-three seasons, is remembered with this granite and bronze marker in the parking lot near Citizens Bank Park. The Liberty Bell Classic, Philadelphia Division I college baseball tournament, was played at the stadium from its inception in 1992 through 2003. The final ceremony that followed the game brought tears to many of the capacity crowd. The original AstroTurf was eventually replaced by a new surface, NexTurf, in 2001. View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject. The "700 Level", the highest and cheapest seats at Veterans Stadium, became well known for being home to the loudest, rowdiest fans at Philadelphia Eagles games, and to a lesser extent, Philadelphia Phillies games. In 1971, Willie Stargell hit the longest home run in stadium history. The 1976 and 1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Games were held at the venue. The marking stayed until the Vet was demolished. Stargell used to deposit blasts into the public pool located over the right-field fence, sending people scattering for cover. In addition to professional baseball and football, the stadium hosted other amateur and professional sports, large entertainment events, and other civic affairs. Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. The "100 level" ran only part way around. … Willie Stargell, May 20, 1978, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, 535 feet Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson said Stargell had “power enough to … The future Hall of Famer just misses a fourth home run when he hits a long double that bounces off the railing of the left field bleachers at Wrigley Field. The upper decks, especially the 700 level, were so far from the field, that fans needed binoculars to see the action on the baseball field. The Vet's Astro Turf playing surface was rated the hardest of all synthetic playing surfaces. The backstop was 58 feet behind home plate. In 1964, Philadelphia voters approved a US$25-million-bond issue for a new stadium to serve as the home of both the Eagles (who played at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field) and the Phillies. [14][15] The last publicly broadcast words uttered in the park were by Harry Kalas – a veteran announcer who helped open the facility on April 10, 1971 – who paraphrased his trademark home run call: "And now, Veterans Stadium is like a 3–1 pitch to Jim Thome or Mike Schmidt. Again defeating the Giants 1-0. Stargell also hit the longest home run ever hit at Veterans Stadium. The spot was towards right field, and was the longest home run hit in the park. Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt ended his career with bad knees, partially due to the hard surface. The stadium became famous for the exuberant rowdiness of Eagles fans. Until McGwire arrived, Pirates first baseman Willie Stargell came closest to challenging McCovey’s home run for longest hit at Busch Memorial Stadium. Former manager and general manager Paul Owens and former Philadelphia Phillie relief pitcher (and crowd favorite) Tug McGraw made their final public appearences. The original eight schools were: In the first championship game in 1992, Delaware defeated Villanova 6–2. It was demolished by implosion in March 2004 after being replaced by the adjacent Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.