True story.

One time the Rolling Stones were in town, and somebody asked Eagles coach Dick Vermeil about the world's greatest rock-and-roll band.

Vermeil said he wasn't too familiar with Mick and Keith and the boys, but that his children "liked their magazine."

True story.

One time - actually, it was last night - Pearl Jam played the final concert in the Spectrum, and the Phillies played the Yankees in the World Series.

And it was Halloween.

True story.

There's always a great vibe at Broad Street and Pattison Avenue when the worlds of sports and music line up in opposing corners. It's like the friction creates this electricity, this excitement.

Nothing summed up the situation on a soggy night in South Philadelphia better than Chris Sands' shirt.

Sands is a 27-year-old from Lewisburg, Pa. He was in town for the Pearl Jam concert because that's his favorite band. He also is a Phillies fan.

So Sands was wearing a customized Phillies jersey with "VEDDER" on the back in honor of Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder.

"I wish I could be at both," Sands said. "It's a conflict. You can't be in both places."

Sands said would have loved to see the Phillies play the Yankees. But he believed he was going to the right event.

"It's only Game 3," Sands said. "This is Pearl Jam in the last night ever in the Spectrum."

The stadium complex was crackling with energy in the hours before the scheduled first pitch at Citizens Bank Park and the moment when Pearl Jam took the stage in the Spectrum.

Everything was contrast: Guys and gals in Phillies gear partying outside the arena, and folks in Pearl Jam T-shirts listening to the live music outside the baseball park.

Plus, it was Halloween. One guy walked past the Spectrum with a perfectly carved jack-o'-lantern. Two guys were dressed as early 1970s Elvis, with sequined white jumpsuits and black pompadour wigs.

But it was the mash-up of music and sports that made this night. A scalper walked down 11th Street wondering "Who needs tickets?" when a hopeful fan asked for more information.

"First base, [section] 415," the scalper said.

"Pearl Jam?" the fan asked.

"Baseball," the scalper said.

One time the Rolling Stones were scheduled to play the Vet at night and a bunch of Eagles writers reported to work in the morning. They did interviews in the locker room, then went into the media room to write.

Then they went to hear some music.

They walked into the bowl of the old stadium. They walked toward the stage. They sat in the third row.

The place was empty except for five football writers, a handful of security guards, and some support staff. And the Rolling Stones played three songs in a sound check, and Mick Jagger wore a straw hat and took it off and bowed to the cheering writers after each song.

True story.

One time - yes, it was last night - Pearl Jam closed the Spectrum and the Phillies and the Yankees played in the World Series (eventually), and folks came dressed in team regalia and black band T-shirts and Halloween costumes.

And there was no cooler place to be than this corner of the sports/music world.

True story.