Boston/Philadelphia Final Round Notes

Although the famed league semi-final clashes between teams from the cities of Boston and Philadelphia are better known (the Boston Celtics winning most (ode to Johnny), vs either the Philadelphia Warriors or 76ers), the cities have met in the sport final in the other three major possibilities.

Once both Boston and Philadelphia had 2 baseball teams, the Red Sox and Braves in “Beantown,” and the Phillies and Athletics in “The City of Brotherly Love.”

Nearly 110 years have “rear viewed” since the Red Sox, with a great left-hand pitcher named George “Babe” Ruth, defeated the Phillies 4 games to 1 in the 1915 World Series.

Boston won the last 4 tilts in that final round entity, after another great pitcher, righthander Grover Cleveland Alexander won game 1 for the Phillies.

I thought of this (final round stuff) last night, recalling that local New York PBS station, Channel 13 televised the aberration game 5 Boston Bruins home victory vs the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1974 NHL final round.

Before game 6, the Flyers brought out “good luck charm,” Kate Smith in person (“Espo”/Phil Esposito tried to stop the charm, giving Ms. Smith flowers) and behind Bernie Parent’s brilliant goaltending and with a goal by Rick MacLeish–’twas Philly (1-0) to win the title in just their 7th NHL season.

Finally, in pro football, the Boston team/the New England Patriots and current league champion Philadelphia Eagles split in their 2 Supe clashes.

The Patriots “no covered” Philly in ’04 while 13 years later, the Eagles under Doug Pederson (fired this Eagles title season, by “Jax”) won vs New England.

An excellent player, gone too soon at age 66, Rick MacLeish is pictured above.