1964.....................

1964.  Baby boomers who grew up in Philadelphia eventually
have to come to grips with 1964.  It is late, late, late summer.
The Phillies have a six and a half game lead with twelve games
remaining in the season.  Jim Bunning and Chris Short are two
of  the best pitchers in the league.  Gene Mauch, one of the
great young managers, is pulling the strings.  What could
possibly go wrong?

September 24, 1964 and I am listening to the ballgame on my
little GE Quartz Radio.  The  Reds and the Phils are tied 0-0.  
Art Mahaffey is on the mound.  It is the 6th inning, with two outs. 
Chico Ruiz is on third, the great Frank Robinson is at the plate
with two strikes.  And.................Chico Ruiz steals home.  WTF?  
The Phillies lose the game 1-0.  Then proceed to lose the next
nine in a row.  In one of the all time collapses, they came in
fourth in their division.  Our collective City psyche was scared
and countless hearts were broken the fall, mine included.  The
healing would not come until 1980, but that is a story for
another day.

After posting the few quotes by Mauch, memories surged and
this tale just needed to be told - one more time.  I feel better
 now.  Thanks for asking.