Around the Block: 10/7/2022

October 10, 2022 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

Philly Sports- Part I: the Flyers, our new and current listings, and Philly happenings. If you’d like to discuss real estate or anything in this newsletter please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 10/7/22.

10/7/2022

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

Philly Sports: From Stanley Cups to Gritty

I would like to thank everyone who entered last week’s drawing for the Eagles-Jaguars tickets. The tickets were won by a CBT client who bought a home in Fitler Square about 11 years ago. Cold, rainy football weather and a great game (i.e., an Eagles victory).

I love Philly sports, and I always have. I am a four-for-four guy and add Temple basketball as my college team. The Phillies (who start their Wildcard Round of the National League Playoffs today against the Cardinals), the Eagles (the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL), the 76ers (a title contender in an extremely competitive Eastern Conference), and the Flyers (simply a really bad team). Philly has enjoyed a dearth of titles during my lifetime. Two Stanley Cups for the Flyers (1974 & 1975). Two World Series Championships for the Phils (1980 & 2008). One NBA Championship for the Sixers (1983, though the Wilt Chamberlain-led 76ers won the 1967 championship about four months before I was born). One Super Bowl win for the Eagles (2017).

I like to save the best for last, so let’s start at the bottom. The Flyers are the most recent major sports team to come to Philly, as they were a 1967 National Hockey League expansion team. But as a kid and even into adulthood, the Orange & Black were among the elite of all sports franchises. Yes, things change, but they can turn around again. What goes down can fly again.

Flyers Hall of Famers Bernie Parent and Bobby Clarke skate with the Stanley Cup on the Spectrum ice. May 19, 1974

Courtesy of @bernieparent on Twitter (8/13/2018)

One of my earliest memories was of Bernie Parent sitting (or perhaps standing) in a convertible driving down Broad Street for the Flyers Stanley Cup parade. Not sure if it was ’74 or ’75. Was it even Parent? Maybe it was Reggie Leach or Rick MacLeish. Almost half a century has passed. I was six or seven. Memories conflate. But one thing I know for sure, the Flyers have not won a Stanley Cup since. And this once-proud franchise is currently among the very worst in the NHL. Throughout my childhood, however, the Flyers were always among the very best.

My grandfather Herb Kramer, whom I called Zada, had season tickets in Section A, Row 16 of the Spectrum. Lower level, directly behind the Flyers goal. I clearly remember the first game he ever took me to. On February 2, 1974, the Flyers trounced the Detroit Red Wings 12-2. Of course, I would have no idea of that exact date, except that it is not too hard to find that game on the internet and to glean details I would never remember considering I was six years old. Both Bobby Clarke and Ross Lonsberry delivered hat tricks that evening. Bobby Clarke is simply the greatest Flyer in history. My childhood memory of Ross Lonsberry was that he wore a toupee. Yes, that is what I remembered about Lonsberry. My Zada was bald, and he proudly told me that when Lonsberry would fight and his helmet would pop off, that his toupee would slide off as well. While I don’t remember seeing that in person, I found this on his nhl.com player page:

“During his early playing days, Lonsberry was perhaps best known for being one of the few helmeted players on the ice. According to former teammates, he wore the bucket more to avoid the risk of losing his toupee than to protect his skull. Once his playing days were over, Lonsberry stopped wearing the toupee.”

And the toupee was even good-naturedly mentioned in this nostalgic nj.com piece published upon his death. My six-year-old recollection was correct! And it was no secret or inside gossip. Lonsberry was in on the joke and loved it. Rick MacLeish remembered that Lonsberry “took his toupee off and put it on the lamp in the bedroom when he went to sleep.”

The downside of that 12-2 game was it made me think that the Flyers would always score about a dozen goals. For some perspective, in the Flyers 55-year history (around 4,500 games), they only scored 12 or more goals two other times (both 13-goal games in the mid-’80s)! When my Zada took me to my second Flyers game on March 6, 1976, it is safe to say that eight-year-old Jeff did not have that perspective. This time the Flyers beat down on the Red Wings 6-1, another dominating, high-scoring win. But I disappointingly asked my Zada why the Flyers only scored six goals, and why only one Flyer scored a hat trick (Orest Kindrachuck). He explained that most games were 3-2 or something like that. My Zada was very wise, and I understood. Win or lose, I have loved the Flyers just as much ever since.

One funny thing about hat tricks back in the glory days is that they became literal “hat tricks.” For those who don’t know, a hat trick is when a player scores three goals in a game. They are not common in the generally low-scoring NHL, so the fact that I saw three in my first two live games is astounding. When a Flyer scored a hat trick at the Spectrum, most of the fans wearing hats would actually throw their hat onto the ice. The ice would be littered with 100s of hats. Knit caps, baseball caps, flat caps, fedoras. Fans would come and pick up their hats after the game.

With their two Stanley Cups fresh in the rearview mirror, the Flyers continued in contention for decades. They lost in the NHL finals in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997, and as recently as 2010. Yet they have never again been able to raise Lord Stanley’s Cup. And that is not in the cards anytime soon, as the Flyers have fallen well below mediocrity and are among the worst organizations in hockey as we enter the 2022-23 Season.

There is one area of the “game” where the Flyers reign supreme. I added the quotes because I am not sure one would consider mascotry as part of the game per se. If there just was a Stanley Cup for mascots… the Wayne Gretzky of mascots. It is universally unquestioned that if mascots had a Great One, it is Gritty.

Photo from Wikipedia.

I will end with this… “LET’S GO FLYERS!”

Have a great weekend.

Best regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

UNIVERSITY CITY

4917 Walton Avenue

Brand New Listing

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,289 SF | Move-in Ready | Original Trim and

Details | Three Outside Spaces | $475,000

Welcome to 4917 Walton Avenue! Located on a beautiful tree-lined block in historic Cedar Park, this 5BR, 2.5BA classic West Philadelphia rowhome is move-in ready and boasts three outside spaces — a front garden, a covered front porch, and a spacious rear yard.

Enter through the grand vestibule into the open and airy living room with hardwood floors that flow into the dining room and open kitchen, complete with a stainless steel dishwasher and refrigerator. A laundry room and powder room are conveniently tucked behind the kitchen with easy access to the backyard, perfect for relaxing and entertaining.

Head up the extra-wide, quarter-turn staircase with bench seating to the 2nd floor which has three bedrooms, all with closets and one full bathroom. The 3rd floor has another 2 bedrooms also with closets and a sunny full bathroom.

Additional home highlights include ceiling fans, generous closet space throughout and a full basement that’s great for extra storage, a second staircase for easy kitchen access, and original architectural trim and details throughout.

You’ll enjoy the walkable proximity to all the West Philly favorites such as Cedar Park, Bookers, Black Hound Clay Studio, Green Tambourine Music School, Mariposa Food Co-op, The Gold Standard Cafe, and University City Swim Club. Also close to universities, multiple playgrounds, hospitals, Cobbs Creek Nature Center, and Clark Park. You’ll be in an area with significant architectural and historical significance, exciting development activity, and great walkability. Plus, you’ll enjoy an easy commute to Center City by car or bike, with plenty of convenient bus and trolley options. Welcome Home!

View full listing here

CBT September Closings

EAST FALLS

4455 River Ridge Court

3 BD | 3.5 BA | 2,394 SF | $1,175,000

NORTHERN LIBERTIES

600 N 4th Street

3 BD | 3.5 BA | 3,020 SF | $990,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4623 Larchwood Avenue

5 BD | 2 BA | 2,768 SF | $950,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue #304

2 BD | 2 BA | 1,715 SF | $680,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4518 Locust Street

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,555 SF | $660,000

GRADUATE HOSPITAL

722 S Bancroft Street

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,150 SF | $655,000

Here is a list of the 11 other properties the City Block Team sold in September:

Philly Fun This Week

Stranger Things Pop-up

Head on over to the Uptown Beer Garden to experience the new Stranger Things pop-up that includes replica Demogorgons, set recreations, and special cocktails such as Hellfire, Chrissy, Wake Up, and Redrum.

Photograph from uwishunu and content courtesy of uwishunu & thephiladelphiacitizen.org.

Featured Listings

UNIVERSITY CITY

4917 Walton Avenue

BRAND NEW LISTING

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,289 SF | $475,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

349 S 47th Street #A310

NEW LISTING

2 BD | 2 BA | 1,481 SF | $325,000

NEWBOLD

1413 S Chadwick Street

NEW PRICE

3 BD | 3 BA | 2,340 SF | $539,900

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue

New Construction

$340,000 – $1,200,000

SOCIETY HILL

742 Lombard Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

403 S 42nd Street

6 Units | 4,790 SF | $1,200,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4601 Springfield Avenue

6 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,036 SF | $499,000

AVENUE OF THE ARTS SOUTH

1324 Locust Street #1517

Studio | 1 BA | 342 SF | $99,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4928 Pine Street

NEW PRICE

Duplex | 2,025 SF | $479,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4614 Paschall Avenue

4 BD | 4.5 BA | 2,800 SF | $650,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4627 Paschall Avenue

3 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,082 SF | $250,000

FRANKFORD – PHILADELPHIA

4115 Salem Street

3 BD | 1 BA | 648 SF | $79,900

Experienced real estate agent?

Would you consider joining one of the most respected real estate teams in Philadelphia?

The City Block Team is looking for an experienced agent who wants to provide Expert Real Estate Representation. CBT is committed to helping you build your business and offers excellent coaching and mentoring; solid systems & admin support; leads (quality over quantity); superb team camaraderie; and outstanding team name recognition and regard.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss. All inquiries are confidential. Thank you.

Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU and Canva.

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

Philly Sports: From Stanley Cups to Gritty

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