RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
As early as 1959, Phillies owner R. R. M. Carpenter Jr. proposed building a new ballpark for the Phillies on 72 acres (290,000 m2) adjacent to the Garden State Park Racetrack in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 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. Furthermore, in 1959 alcohol sales at sporting events were banned in Pennsylvania but were legal in New Jersey. The proposed ballpark would have seated 45,000 fans, been expandable to 60,000 and would have had 15,000 parking spaces.
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. 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. Because of cost overruns, the voters had to go to the polls again in 1967 to approve another $13 million. At a total cost of $60 million[clarification needed], it was one of the most expensive ballparks to date.
The stadium was named by the Philadelphia City Council, in 1968, for the veterans of all wars. As early as December 1969, the Phillies expected that they would play the first month of the 1970 season at Connie Mack Stadium before moving to the new venue. However, the opening was delayed a year because of a combination of bad weather and cost overruns.
The stadium's design was nearly circular, and was known as an "octorad" design, which attempted to facilitate both football and baseball. San Diego Stadium in San Diego had been similarly designed. As was the case with other cities where this dual approach was tried (other examples include RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., Shea Stadium in New York City, the Astrodome in Houston, Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis, Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, and Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh), the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of the playing fields made the stadium inadequate to the needs of either sport.
The stadium opened with a $3 million scoreboard complex that at the time was the most expensive ever installed.
Game 4 of the 1977 National League Championship Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The Phillies were trailing in the series, making this a crucial game to stay alive. Los Angeles sent veteran left-hander Tommy John to the mound, while Philadelphia countered with their ace, Steve Carlton. The Dodgers were in fine form, led by players like Ron Cey and Steve Garvey, and were coming off a strong regular season in which they finished atop the NL West. The Phillies, anchored by Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski, had won the NL East, but were under pressure after falling behind in the series. Both teams were loaded with talent, but the Dodgers had momentum on their side.
The game began with a two-run homer from Dusty Baker in the second inning, which gave the Dodgers an early lead. Philadelphia responded in the fourth when Garry Maddox drove in Greg Luzinski to cut the deficit to one. However, Los Angeles extended their lead in the fifth inning, thanks to a combination of a wild pitch and a single by Bill Russell that brought in two more runs. Tommy John kept the Phillies in check throughout the game, scattering seven hits and allowing only one run, while Steve Carlton struggled and was pulled after the fifth inning. The Dodgers' bullpen, featuring Mike Garman and others, helped close out the game as the Phillies failed to mount a comeback.
On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3...
1977 NLCS G3 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio / On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Veterans Stadium. The Dodgers, managed by Tommy Lasorda, were fighting for a return to the World Series after a strong regular season where players like Steve Garvey and Ron Cey made significant contributions. Starting pitcher Burt Hooton took the mound for Los Angeles, looking to rebound after a rough Game 1 outing. The Phillies, led by manager Danny Ozark, had a strong year of their own, winning the NL East behind stars such as Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski. Pitcher Larry Christenson got the start for Philadelphia as they aimed to take a series lead.
The game saw early scoring from both teams, with the Dodgers jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, aided by a double from Dusty Baker and a single by Steve Yeager. The Phillies quickly responded in their half of the inning, putting up three runs on a combination of walks and key hits, including a sacrifice fly by Larry Christenson. As the game progressed, both teams were kept in check by strong middle relief pitching, with the Dodgers managing to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies appeared to take control, scoring two runs, including an RBI single from Garry Maddox, but the Dodgers weren’t done yet.
In the top of the ninth, Los Angeles rallied with three runs, capitalizing on errors and timely hitting, including a critical double from Manny Mota that tied the game. Davey Lopes then drove in the go-ahead run with a single, and the Dodgers bullpen held off the Phillies in the bottom of the inning to secure a 6-5 victory.
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