Phillies news: MLB Network to celebrate 1980 championship
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the 1980 World Series champion Phillies, MLB Network will air 12 hours of programming on Friday, May 22.
The Philadelphia Phillies were set this summer to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1980 World Series championship team.
A Mike Schmidt 1980 World Champions Replica Ring would have been given away, followed by infielder Manny Trillo‘s Wall of Fame Night induction ceremony, leading up to a Tug McGraw Bobble Figurine giveaway and 1980 Phillies 40th Anniversary Salute on Phillies Alumni Day.
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While those in-stadium celebrations with fans in attendance are likely canceled, that does not mean the first-ever World Series championship team in Phillies franchise history will not receive recognition.
In honor of the 40th anniversary, MLB Network will air 12 hours of programming solely dedicated to the 1980 Phillies on Friday, May 22, starting 9 a.m.
The programming lineup includes all four of the team’s 1980 World Series victories against the Kansas City Royals, including:
- Game 1 (11:30 a.m.); Bake McBride and Bob Boone each go 3-for-4 with three and two RBI, respectively.
- Game 2 (2 p.m.); Steve Carlton pitches eight innings while striking out 10.
- Game 5 (4 p.m.); Del Unser and Trillo knock in a run each in the top of the 9th inning to put the Phillies ahead and mark the first road win of the series.
- Game 6 (7 p.m.); Carlton throws another gem on the way to clinching the franchise’s first World Series championship.
“Baseball’s Seasons: 1980” will kick off the 12-hour programming at 9 a.m. It will be an overall look-back at the 1980 season, including how Schmidt, George Brett, J.R. Richard, and Steve Stone led their teams through tight division races.
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At 10 a.m., will be “MLB’s 20 Greatest Games” with Bob Costas and Tom Verducci at 10 a.m.. The special will feature former Phillies shortstop and current special assistant to the general manager, Larry Bowa , reliving the team’s extra-innings and series-clinching 1980 NLCS Game 5 victory against the Houston Astros.
At 6 p.m., in between the Game 5 and Game 6 airings, will be an edition of MLB Tonight, as Fran Charles, former Phillie Dan Plesac, and Harold Reynolds discuss the latest baseball news and reminisce about the 1980 championship.
What was your favorite moment from the 1980 season? Friday, May 22, will be your chance to relieve it, and many more from the first-ever World Series championship season in franchise history.