Shop Gifts for Dad - Father's Day Gift Guide

  • Shipping $4.99 | FREE on orders $75+
  • Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
  • Originals 
    • All Originals
    • Stadium Series
    • Philly Culture
    • Defunct Philly Teams
    • Philly Legends
  • Eagles

    All Eagles

    Newest Eagles

    By Person  

    Women
    Men
    Youth

    By Type  

    T-shirts
    Long sleeve
    Caps
    Winter Gear
    Collectibles

    By Brand  

    Shibe Originals
    Mitchell & Ness
    '47 Brand
    Junk Food

    View Eagles Best Sellers

  • 76ers
  • Phillies
  • Athletics
  • Flyers
  • Villanova
  • Kids
  • Art 
    • Word Art Prints
    • Minimalist Art
    • Books
    • Collectibles
    • Drinkware
    • Heritage Banners
    • Vintage Photos
  • Sale
  • Gift Cards
  • About

    Shibe Vintage Sports

    Designs by Philly artists

    View Lookbook

    Products  

    Gift Cards
    Lookbook
    All products
    Search Page

    Policies  

    Loyalty Program
    Giving Back
    Return Policy
    Size Charts

    Contact  

    Contact Us
    About Shibe
    Sign up for our emails
    Work at Shibe
    "Shibe Sports Presents" Podcast

    Shibe Sports History Blog

  • Originals 
    • All Originals
    • Stadium Series
    • Philly Culture
    • Defunct Philly Teams
    • Philly Legends
  • Eagles
  • All Eagles

    Newest Eagles

    By Person  

    Women
    Men
    Youth

    By Type  

    T-shirts
    Long sleeve
    Caps
    Winter Gear
    Collectibles

    By Brand  

    Shibe Originals
    Mitchell & Ness
    '47 Brand
    Junk Food

    View Eagles Best Sellers

  • 76ers
  • Phillies
  • Athletics
  • Flyers
  • Villanova
  • Kids
  • Art 
    • Word Art Prints
    • Minimalist Art
    • Books
    • Collectibles
    • Drinkware
    • Heritage Banners
    • Vintage Photos
  • Sale
  • Gift Cards
  • About
  • Shibe Vintage Sports

    Designs by Philly artists

    View Lookbook

    Products  

    Gift Cards
    Lookbook
    All products
    Search Page

    Policies  

    Loyalty Program
    Giving Back
    Return Policy
    Size Charts

    Contact  

    Contact Us
    About Shibe
    Sign up for our emails
    Work at Shibe
    "Shibe Sports Presents" Podcast

    Shibe Sports History Blog

The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog

Lefty’s Slow Descent

June 24, 2011

25 years ago today, the Phillies said goodbye to the greatest pitcher in the franchise’s history. It was not an easy decision to make. The Phillies had hoped that Carlton would see that his skills had deteriorated, that his fastball no longer had pop or movement, and that he would agree to retire. But Lefty was nothing if not stubborn, and he refused to acknowledge that he was done. Bill Giles explained how it went down at a press conference.

“I met with Steve and his wife, Beverly, a week ago at their Center City apartment, and we discussed his retiring,” Giles said. “He convinced me at that time that he could still pitch, so I decided we’d give him another start.

“But when he was knocked out of the game in the fifth inning Saturday, I decided we had to do something. I couldn’t take it anymore, I couldn’t watch him struggling anymore. And it took me three days to get up the nerve to tell him.

“We met again Tuesday night. He again expressed his belief that he could still pitch and that he did not want to retire. But I told him that it just was not in the best interest of the Phillies to have him keep pitching for us.

“And this is easily the toughest thing I’ve had to do since becoming president of the club. I apologize for my emotions. You build up great attachments to someone who is with a club for 14 years. He’s probably had more impact than any pitcher in this club’s history.”

The club had hoped to send him out Julius Erving style, with an enormous standing ovation for his last start. Instead, two years later, after bouncing around several teams, the end came quietly in Minnesota, where he racked up a 16.22 ERA before the Twins pulled the plug. Sadly, Carlton had long been represented by an agent who was ripping him off, so part of the reason he held on for so long was money. But it was dumbass Tim McCarver who gave the real reason that Lefty held on for so long.

“Lefty has an irascible contempt for being human. To a great degree, he feels superhuman. He refuses to think like other mortals. It’s not in his makeup to ever consider things in realistic, practical fashion.

“Everybody says, ‘If I were in his shoes, I’d quit.’ But if you’re not in his shoes, you don’t understand how he thinks. Part of the things that made him great are part of the things that are making him hang on.”

 



Tweet Share Pin It Email

Also in The Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog

Play Shibe Super Squares - Support Youth Football in Philly

February 02, 2025

Continue Reading

Support the Camp Out for Hunger Campaign

December 02, 2024

Continue Reading

Shibe Vintage Sports Celebrates 10 Years with Beer Release, Tailgate Party

July 08, 2024

Continue Reading

+Subscribe

+Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Shibe Lookbook
Quick Links
  • Search
  • Lookbook
  • Shipping
  • Loyalty Program
  • The Shibe History Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Refund policy


Visit Shibe

137 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107


106 East Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087


1518 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380

78 Rittenhouse Place
Ardmore, PA 19003


215-909-9396
team@shibesports.com


© 2014-2025 Shibe Vintage Sports.