As Phillies Season Reaches Twilight, Lansdale Historical Society Remembers 1980

As the twilight of the Phillies rebuilding season comes to a close, the Lansdale Historical Society posted a remembrance of a brighter time: namely, the night the Phils won it all.

Most probably remember 2008 well. The Historical Society’s Dick Shearer was referring to October 21, 1980, the night the Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals for the World Series Championship.

And just like in 2008, the 1980 celebrations got a little out of hand in Lansdale, Shearer recalls.

Raucous celebrations tore through the streets, and became especially out of hand at the Main and Broad Street intersection, Shearer said.

All told, there were 11 arrests and six injuries, including three to police officers. One of those officers was 23-year-old Joe McGuriman, who would one day become Lansdale’s police chief.

Were you part of the 1980 riots in Lansdale? How about in 2008? Share your remembrances and they could be featured in an upcoming story. Email justin.heinze@patch.com or comment on this story below.

Image courtesy Lansdale Historical Society.