Dikembe Mutombo – Sixers/C (2001-02) Dikembe Mutombo played little more than a season in Philadelphia, but he was extremely popular with the Philly Faithful, and the Sixers do not go to the 2001 NBA Finals without him on the team. Mutombo was a defensive powerhouse and prolific shot blocker. Mutombo’s humanitarian work, like his shot blocking, is also prolific. Dikembe entered the Sixers Hall of Fame and the NBA Hall of Fame in 2015.
Carlos Ruiz – Phillies/C (2006-16) Carlos Ruiz was a mainstay behind the plate for the Phillies for a decade. Chooch had a penchant for delivering clutch hits in bigtime post-season spots earning him the nickname Senor Octubre. Ruiz was named to the TOPPS All Rookie Team for 2007. In game 3 of the 2008 World Series, Chooch had a World Series game-winning walk-off infield single, the first ever in World Series history. Ruiz caught the final out of the Phillies, World Series clinching game over the Tampa Bay Rays. Chooch seemed to get better as he got older. He was a 2012 NL All Star, and garnered MVP votes three consecutive seasons (2010-2012). Ruiz caught an NL record-breaking four no-hitters as a Phillie. He caught Roy Halladay’s perfect game and his no-hitter in 2010. It was the first time in 38 years that a catcher caught two no-hitters in the same season. He then caught the Phillies combined no-hitter in 2014 (Hamels, Diekman, Giles, Papelbon) and Cole Hamels no-hitter in his final game as a Phillie in 2015. Ruiz won the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Heart and Hustle Award for 2012.
Hal Greer – Sixers/Nationals/G (1958-73) Hal Greer was a mainstay on the Sixers backcourt for 15 seasons (five w/ Syracuse Nationals). Greer is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,122), Minutes played (39,788), FG’s (8,504), and points (21,586). The Ten-time NBA All Star was the All Star MVP in 1968. Greer won an NBA Championship as a member of the Sixers in 1967. He was selected as part of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Greer is in the Sixers Hall of Fame and had his #15 retired. He was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Did you known… Republic of Congo-born Dikembe Mutombo’s full name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo. The 7’2″ Hall of Famer was born on June 25th, 1966 in Leopoldville, DR Congo. Happy 52nd Birthday, Dikembe!
Jerome Brown – Eagles/DT (1987-91) Jerome Brown was a dominating defensive lineman and part of the Eagles infamous Gang Green. He was drafted 9th overall in the 1987 NFL Draft. Brown was selected to the 1987 NFL All-Rookie Team. Brown was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week, two-time Pro Bowler, and two-time 1st Team All Pro. Brown’s 29.5 career sacks is 18th on the Eagles all-time list. Brown was named to the Eagles 75th Anniversary Team, and the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1996. Jerome Brown died in a car crash on June 25th, 1992 in Brooksville, Florida at the age of 27. The Eagles retired Jerome Brown’s #99 prior to the season opener in 1992.
Did you know… The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII on what would have been Jerome Brown’s 53rd birthday.
Eagles Jerome Brown died in a car crash on June 25th, 1992 in Brooksville, Florida at the age of 27.
On Father’s Day, June 21st, 1964, during the first game of a double header against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, Phillies pitcher Jim Bunning threw the 7th Perfect Game in MLB History. Bunning’s perfect game was the first regular season perfect game in the National League since 1880! It was also the first no-hitter thrown by a Phillies hurler in 58 years.
On June 21st, 2003, Phillies catcher Todd Pratt hit a two-run walk-off homer against the Boston Red Sox in a 6-5 Phillies win in 13 innings. Phillies broadcaster Scott Graham’s call of the game-winning homer has been immortalized in a talking bottle opener.
Jim Bunning’s perfect game on June 21st, 1964 was game 1 of a double header against the New York Mets. Rick Wise won game 2 of the twinbill for the Phillies, in his MLB debut.
On June 21st, 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Scot Shields had 4 strikeouts against the Phillies in the 8th inning of a 6-2 Phillies loss. It was the 51st 4-strikeout inning in MLB modern era.
On May 25th, 1997 the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 to win their Eastern Conference Championship 4 games to 1. Eric Lindros had a hat trick in game 3, and 5 goals in the series. It was the 1st time the Flyers defeated a Wayne Gretzky-led team in the postseason. The win sent the Flyers to their 7th Stanley Cup Final.
On May 24th, 2010 the Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 to win their Eastern Conference Championship 4 games to 1. The series featured 3 shutouts by Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton. The win sent the Flyers to their 8th Stanley Cup appearance.
