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Which made us wonder how times were when the Phillies were in or beyond their current position in years past. Ever the fan for nostalgia, we took a look at the state of America during the Phils' 1980 World Series run. We also sprinkled in some '83 and '93 tidbits.
1980: Led by Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Steve Carlton and the deft relief pitching of Tug McGraw, the Phils claim their first world championship, beating the Kansas City Royals in six games, and Broad Street is overrun with devout fans in celebration mode.
Also that year: The Iran-Iraq war begins, ultimately sending hundreds of American GIs overseas (Sept. 22). Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan duke it out for presidency; and locally a Marcus Hook oil refinery explodes the same night of the Phillies' biggest win (Oct. 21).
1983: Schmidt and Carlton along with Joe Morgan and John Denny again put the city into a World Series frenzy, only to be ousted in five games by the Baltimore Orioles.
Also that year: Simultaneous suicide truck-bombings destroy a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, killing 241 servicemen (Oct. 23). And locally, the old Philadelphia Arena at 45th and Market is destroyed by an arsonist (Aug. 24).
1993: After a decadelong drought, the Phillies - led by Lenny Dykstra, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams and a host of notables - return to the big stage, only to be downed by a Joe Carter home run in Game 6 that gives the Blue Jays the title.
Also that year: A large-scale battle touches off between U.S. forces and local militia in Mogadishu, Somalia; 19 Americans are killed (Oct. 3). Woolworth decides to cut 13,000 jobs (Oct. 14), which primarily affects our area since the retailer had 18 stores in Philadelphia.
But, you see, when times are rough, at least you can count on the Phillies to pull you through.
- Kerith Gabriel
Send e-mail to highandinside@phillynews.com
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