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“They’re tearing it down now, But it’s just as well”
-Bill Joel
These Billy Joel lyrics nail my thoughts on the demolition of the Spectrum following the 2008-2009 season. Yes, I will miss the place. It stands as a landmark in South Philly and as a significant part of our sports history. Many, including myself, saw their first Flyers and/or Sixers game or concert there.
But, as I texted to my friend Dan the other day, I enjoy the “new” sports complex too much to not be excited about the potential plans for the site. I love hitting McFadden’s or Chickie’s & Pete’s before or after a Phils game so I welcome any new restaurants or bars Ed Snider wants to bring into that spot. These types of places add to the atmosphere and make attending a game much more enjoyable.
Plus, in recent years, the Spectrum has become more and more depressing. Housing only the Phantoms, Soul and Kixx, the building sits idle most nights. And when they added the black curtain that covers the top level and the upper half of the second level, it solidified the fact the building was now only a trace of its former self.
Anyway, I know we’ll see tons of lists appear on TV and on the internet counting down the best moments in Spectrum history. So, I figured I’d give my personal favorite Spectrum moments here. The key word – personal. These probably have no significance to anyone else I’m sure. Just some of the more memorable nights I’ve spent at the Spectrum.
- Jerry Stackhouse’s First Game: Stackhouse was supposed to be the next MJ when the Sixers drafted him with the 3rd overall pick in 95. Too bad that didn’t turn out as planned. But I did get to go to opening night that season though. Spirits were high. The air was filled with optimism. The Sixers beat the then-Washington Bullets that night along with their new superstar, Rasheed Wallace. Unfortunately, I think they only won 17 games after that.
- The Shawn Antoski Fight: This is as obscure as it gets. In the first Flyers game I ever attended, former Flyers enforcer Shawn Antoski cleaned somebody’s clock in the best hockey fight I ever saw in person. I admit the details are sketchy at best, but the image of Antoski holding this guy up just to pound on him some more continues to stick with me.
- Bulls/Sixers game: In January of 93, I got to see Michael Jordan and the Bulls play the Sixers from the 3rd row off the floor. This was before Jordan’s first retirement so he was still in his prime. The lady next to me went on and on all night about meeting MJ in the hotel before the game. She even passed a Polaroid of she and MJ around the section.
Ah, memories.
I hope both the Sixers and Flyers honor the old place by playing one last home game there this season. I don’t know if it would be logistically possible, but I’m sure the gesture would be extremely popular with the fans want to see one last game in the old building.
4 comments:
Pretty fair post about the Spectrum. I 100% agree that another pre/post game hangout is needed. McFaddens is a zoo anymore. I also agree that the place probably outlived its usefulness, but I really think they could have incorporated the arena into the Philly Live project. The added events at the Spectrum would have brought a captive audience to the shops/restaurants/bars every night.
I'll probably date myself here, but some of my favorite moments at the Spectrum came at home watching the WWF on PRISM. (BTW, PRISM was 50 times better than Comcast Sportsnet.) They always televised the matches the night after they happened. Some of those matches w/ Super Fly Snuka, Roddy Piper, and Don Muraco really kicked ass.
Plus, I have a ton concert memories as well.
philly phan, thanks for the feedback on the blog.
You know what? I should have talking about wrestling the post. Good point.
I, too, used to watch tons of WWF on Prism. I probably have some old tapes somewhere.
I did get see one Prism house show in person. Hogan vs. Flair main event. My wrestling prime was roughly 88-92 so I'm probably just past your era.
If you need any help on formatting, ways to how to post links, where to get good pictures, ad sense, etc., send me an email at tonydangelis@comcast.net.
Come on people. Why does going to the game now have to be about everything but the game? People are paying $100 a ticket to go see a game and then they spend half their time out of their seat ordering $8 beers and smoking a cigar. And you can't tell me that sitting in the upper level of the Wachovia Center doesn't feel like you are 3 miles away. The Spectrum put you right on top of the action.
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