At 2:21 on a cloudy, chilly Saturday afternoon in early April, Jim Bunning threw the first pitch in the inaugural game at Veterans Stadium, located in the south Philadelphia Sports Complex. The cost of a field-level box seat: $4.25.
The Phillies hosted the Montreal Expos, managed by former Phillie Gene Mauch. The two clubs also closed Connie Mack Stadium on Oct. 1, 1970. The Phillies won that game and also the Vet opener, a feather in the cap for Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi.
Making his Phillies debut that day was broadcaster Harry Kalas. His first Major League game was with the Houston Astros back in 1965, when the Astrodome opened against the Phillies.
The home-plate umpire was Philadelphia native Shag Crawford.
Phillies lineup
Bowa, SS
Money, 3B
Montanez, CF
Johnson, 1B
Briggs, LF
Freed, RF
McCarver, C
Doyle, 2B
Firsts
Ceremonial first ball was dropped from a helicopter and caught by bullpen coach Mike Ryan.
Game: April 10, 1971 -- Phillies 4, Expos 1; 55,352 fans, largest Pennsylvania baseball crowd ever.
Winning pitcher: Bunning, his 220th career victory. At 39, he was the oldest starting pitcher in the Majors.
Save: Joe Hoerner.
Batter: Montreal CF Boots Day, grounded back to Bunning.
Hit: Single by SS Larry Bowa, 1st inning.
Run: Montreal 2B Ron Hunt in the 6th inning.
Home run: 3B Don Money in the 6th inning.
Phillies runs
6th inning, trailing, 1-0: Money homers ... Willie Montanez walk, Deron Johnson single, John Briggs intentional walk, Roger Freed RBI single ... Tim McCarver sacrifice fly.
7th inning, Bowa triples, Money sacrifice fly.
Phinale
The last game in the Vet's history would come 11,859 days later on Sept. 28, 2003.
