With the current state of the world, we’re all experiencing various degrees of sports emptiness on the high school, collegiate or professional level as well as combinations of all three.

When you don’t have the present, you still have the past. Thanks to the internet, we can read and watch to fill our sports void.

Since 1984, I have covered sports in the greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and the New York/New Jersey areas. With my constant longing for my youth in the 1970s, here is a top-12, 50-year list of some of memorable events, teams, and individuals, mainly from Philadelphia with Lehigh Valley ties, and not all championships.

This order easily can be juggled. Hope you enjoy.

No. 1 – Eagles Win the

Super Bowl in 2018

This was debatable with the Phillies title, but it was well overdue for Eagles’ fans. It was a magical run that resurrected Nick Foles’ career and laid claim to the “Philly Special.” The Eagles beat Oakland convincingly on Christmas night in the final season game to clinch home field throughout the playoffs.

No. 2 – Phillies Win

Initial Title in 1980

This was another long-awaited event for a group of long-suffering fans. There was plenty of drama among a memorable cast lead by Dallas Green. Along with winning the title at the Vet, there also was the victory parade at now defunct JFK Stadium, both that are renowned.

No. 3 – Flyers Win Consecutive Cups in 1974 and 1975

Recently, I watched most of the Flyers 1975 win over Buffalo for their second consecutive cup. The “Broad Street Bullies” is one chapter of Philly sports that continues to wax nostalgically, and remains a period to cherish. “Only the Lord Saves More Than Bernie Parent” was a popular slogan about stalwart goalie Bernie Parent.

No. 4 – Sixers Win Title

in 1983, first since 1967

This title is probably most forgotten among Philly fans. Led by Moses Malone and Dr. J, the Sixers posted a luminous 65-17 regular season record and a stellar 12-1 post season mark. Don’t forget Malone’s famous postseason “fo, fo, fo,” prediction.

No. 5 – Villanova Wins

National Championship

in 1985

This was a true David vs. Goliath matchup as Villanova upset Georgetown with Patrick Ewing. The eight-seed Wildcats in the West Region had a Cinderella-type run, knocking off second-seeded North Carolina in the Southeast final.

No. 6 – Phillies Defeat

Houston in 1980 NLCS

It is considered to be one - if not the - best of the best league championship series in history. Phillies and Houston each won of a pair of 10-inning classics with the Phillies taking the clincher, 8-7. The Phillies rallied from a 5-2 deficit with a five-run eighth and seemed destined to win it all.

No. 7 – Pete Rose, Dr. J,

and Eric Lindros join

their teams

It appeared Rose’s signing was one of key factors that helped the Phillies title. His style and leadership made a difference. Dr. J was acquired in October 1976 and led the team to four final appearances and a championship. Lindros, who joined the Flyers in 1992, became their sixth-all-time leading scorer, but he had a deteriorating relationship with GM Bob Clarke and was shipped to the Rangers after the 1999-2000 season.

No. 8 – Sixers-Trail

Blazers 1977 finals

In one of the league’s classics, the Sixers won the first two games, but Bill Walton, and unheralded Bobby Gross and Lionel Hollins led a four-game, Portland sweep to win the series in six. Many believe the series turned in Game 2 when Darryl Dawkins got into a scuffle with Gross and Maurice Lucas. Dawkins accidentally hit Doug Collins around the eye and he needed four stitches. During the scuffle, Dr. J sat still and upright on floor.

No. 9 – Veterans

Stadium opens in 1971

The Phillies finally made the move like many of their counterparts at the time when they christened Veterans Stadium on April 10, 1971. It was a major breakthrough and upgrade from Connie Mack Stadium.

Backup catcher Mike Ryan caught the ceremonious first that was dropped by a helicopter.

Jim Bunning delivered the first pitch to Montreal’s Clarence (Boots) Day. Leadoff hitter Larry Bowa’s single up the middle was the first hit. It as an exciting time despite the team resembling more of a Triple-A team at the time as they finished with a 67-95 mark.

No. 10 – Darryl Dawkins

signs with Sixers and

later coaches in Valley

Dawkins became the second high-school player drafted by an NBA team when he was chosen by the Sixers in 1975 and signed a seven-year $1 million deal with the Sixers in 1975. “Chocolate Thunder,” recognized with his elaborate dunks and broken backboards, also played for the Nets, Jazz, and Pistons. Locally, Dawkins coached the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs and also had a stint as head coach at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

No. 11. – Pro Wrestling on Philly’s Channel 48 and New York’s Channel 9

This was a staple for many on a Saturday afternoon on Channel 48 and late night on Channel 9. Allentown’s Ag Hall was a regular live and taped stop on the then WWWF tour. Every major star form the likes of longtime male champion Bruno Sammartino to legendary women’s champion The Fabulous

Moolah were on a five-to-10 match card in the 70s and 80s.

The WWWF also made routine stops in Scranton, Kutztown, and Hamburg. Vince McMahon and Phillies’ P.A. announcer Dan Baker called the action on Channel 48 in the 70s.

No. 12 (a) – Philadelphia

Warriors on Channel 48

and at Liberty High

Roller Derby became a cult sport in the mid-1970s and the small and cozy Philadelphia Arena was the haven for the Philadelphia Warriors. Late Sunday afternoon, Philly’s Channel 48 was the broadcast medium with legendary Elmer Anderson on the call. The arena once played home to the Sixers and Philadelphia Warriors.

The Warriors also made a monthly stop at Bethlehem’s Liberty High School, which was usually well attended. Judy Arnold, Buddy Atkinson, and Jim Trotter were the marquee performers for the Warriors, who provided a unique and entertaining outlet.

No. 12 (b) – Philadelphia

Bell of the World Football League

In 1974, the Philadelphia Bell was one of the initial franchise of the aspiring World Football League. Their games over their two years were televised on Channel 17 and TBS, and they played at JFK and Franklin Field. The Bell’s most memorable player was St. Joseph grad and wide receiver Vince Papale, who later was a local legend with the Eagles.