This Day in Phillies History: October 31
On this day in 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated their second World Series championship in franchise history with a parade on Broad Street.
Before the parade arrived at its final destination of Citizens Bank Park, it began on 20th and Market Streets. The parade route then went toward City Hall and then turned south on Broad St.
Left fielder Pat Burrell's dog, Elvis, led one of the parade floats. The team waved to their fans and one could truly feel the love between the team and their loyal fanbase.
When the parade got to the Bank, there was a ceremony for the team, where they drove around in cars at the warning track and then came together on stage for speeches.
The most famous speech came from second baseman Chase Utley, who blurted out an expletive on live television, which prompted t-shirts with the saying. It became an infamous moment in Phillies history.
Throngs of fans crowded the streets and packed the Bank to celebrate the team's World Championship. It was a momentous Halloween for everyone that attended the parade and was watching on television from home.
Here's to hoping we get to do another one of championship parades again soon.
And to a lesser extent, in 1972, a seven-player trade took place which sent Phillies' Don Money, Bill Champion, and John Vukovich to the Brewers in exchange for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson.
Vukovich eventually returned to Philadelphia in 1979, and retired as a Phillie in 1981. He later served as a manager and coach for the Phillies. The team wore a patch in memoriam of Vukovich, also known as 'Vuk,' following his death in 2007.
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