Historical Highlights from Chicago on May 17

Sports Page Flashback: May 17, 1979

The Philadelphia Phillies faced the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, resulting in a dramatic 23-22 victory for the Phillies. This game established multiple records:

• Most total bases in a game: 97
• Most home runs in a game: 11
• Most total bases for each team: 49 by the Cubs, 48 by the Phillies
• Most home runs conceded by the Phillies: 6
• Most runs scored by the Phillies: 23

The first inning was explosive. The Phillies scored seven runs from seven hits, and the Cubs replied with six runs from seven hits. Mike Schmidt’s second homer in the top of the 10th secured the win for the Phillies. In total, there were 50 hits, with 26 by the Cubs and 11 home runs among them. Dave Kingman hit three homers, while Bill Buckner, Steve Ontiveros, and Jerry Martin added one each for the Cubs. Bob Boone, Gary Maddox, and Randy Lerch hit home runs for the Phillies. WGN-TV replayed this memorable game during the winter of 1979-80.

Weather Records on May 17

• High Temperature: 94°F (1962)
• Low Temperature: 36°F (2002)
• Precipitation: 3.11 inches (2020)
• Snowfall: None

Literary Milestone from 1900

L. Frank Baum published “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in 1900. Baum authored the famed book while residing on Chicago’s West Side.

Exhibition Reveal: May 17, 2000

The Field Museum unveiled Sue, the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen, in Stanley Field Hall. This exhibit drew attention for featuring the largest T. rex discovered at that time.

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