Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1980, remains the greatest day in Phillies history. Precisely at 11:29 p.m., Tug McGraw struck out Kansas City’s Willie Wilson giving the Phillies their first World Series championship. A 97-year wait was over!
Mike Schmidt and Tug lived in the media area then. They drove together to the ballpark on this date. Schmidt said to Tug, “The relief pitcher always winds up on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Wait for me to get there.”
The World Series wasn’t as gut-wrenching as the five-game National League Championship Series vs. the Houston Astros. Pete Rose said the World Series would be a piece of cake compared to the NLCS. Leading, 3-2, we returned home with Lefty Steve Carlton on the mound. A good feeling, but it is never over until it’s over.
After eight innings, Chris Wheeler and I headed for our clubhouse, which was to open immediately if we won. The media can enter the clubhouse from the dugout tunnel or the main entrance off the service-level concourse. Wheels was stationed at the tunnel entrance, and I was at the other door, keeping the photographers and media at bay until the game was over.
A wooden platform was set up in the middle of the clubhouse for the trophy presentation. If we lost the game, all that had to be removed. Quickly.
We’re leading going into the bottom of the ninth. Wheels and I are watching on a tiny black and white TV monitor on the platform. When Rose caught the ball that popped out of Bob Boone’s glove for the second out, I looked at Wheels, “There’s no way we’re going to lose now.” We could hear the roar of the 65,838 crowd when Tug got the final out. It felt like Veterans Stadium was shaking.
The scar of 1964 tortured generations of Phillies fans until the 1980 team won the World Series championship. Larry Bowa said it best, “The Ghost of 1964 is dead.”
After celebrating on the field, the players began coming in the clubhouse followed by media. It was so crammed, one could hardly move. MLB said Schmidt is the MVP. Get him to the interview room right now was MLB’s order. Wheels obliged. By the time Schmidt got back to the clubhouse, the postgame TV show was off the air. He was the only WS MVP that didn’t get interviewed on national TV up until then. Schmitty still reminds us about that.
The first World Series championship parade was the next day. It was breath-taking to see the masses of millions that lined center city and Broad Street. Fans were everywhere, even in trees and on top of traffic light poles. The smiles on people’s faces will never be forgotten. All the long hours, all the losing seasons, all the rain delays vanished.
To top it off, 100,000 were packed into JFK Stadium for the ceremonies, a scene that was never duplicated. It was a huge love fest. Fans were so happy because they, too, were World Series champions.
Memorable Moments
Bob Boone
“Definitely the parade. To be able to share that with my family was a career highlight.”
Larry Bowa
“Riding in the parade down Broad Street and seeing how the importance of winning affected so many people. All of us, players and fans, were left with memories that we will have forever.”
Steve Carlton
“The parade down Broad Street and interacting with the fans. I was amazed at the number of fans lining the parade route and the outpouring of emotion. It was a combination of joy and relief that the Phillies had won it all.”
Dallas Green
“Obviously, winning the World Series and the mind-boggling parade that followed. I remember standing in the corner of the dugout, arms folded and taking a deep breath before Tug threw the last pitch. I was never worried that we were going to lose the Series, but I wasn’t so sure during the gut-wrenching playoffs against Houston.”
Greg Gross
“The excitement of Game 5 in the 1980 NLCS against Houston and getting to the World Series. The victory parade that followed was another ever-lasting memory.”
Greg Luzinski
“Getting two game-winning hits in the Houston NLCS, a homer off Bob Forsch in Game 1 and a pinch double off Joe Sambito to drive in Pete Rose. As a team, winning the World Series and seeing Tug McGraw strike out Willie Wilson.”
Dickie Noles
“Winning the World Series in 1980. Just looking around the Vet with Tug on the mound and the excitement of the fans. All players have that dream, bases-loaded, game on the line and you win the championship. I can still see that moment as though it was yesterday.”
Ron Reed
“Getting the save in Game 2 of the World Series is my fondest personal memory from all of the postseasons I participated in. And of course, being part of that great Phillies team is a great memory. After getting to the playoffs in 1976, 1977 and 1978, and losing all three series, 1980 was special and a memory I'll always cherish.”
Bobby Wine
“I remember jumping up and down after Tug struck out Willie Wilson, running on the field and joining the pile. After the clubhouse scene, I went out to the field to wave to my family because I wanted to share the moment with them. I ran up the tunnel and had a beer by myself in the tunnel.”
(From my book, “If These Walls Could Talk”, May 1, 2014)