The Great Wallenda in Philly

Karl Wallenda 49 years ago today at Veterans Stadium

The incomparable Karl Wallenda traverses a tightrope atop Veterans Stadium 49 years ago today between games of the Philadelphia Phillies’ doubleheader split with the Chicago Cubs.

Fortunately, the 71-year-old Wallenda himself does not split – or, for that matter, splat – in front of the anxious Memorial Day Monday crowd of 51,211 in South Philly.

Not that many remember in 2025, but the Phillies and Cubs split their doubleheader 49 years ago today with Chicago wining the first game 7-5 and the Phillies the second game 4-1.

The 640-foot walk across and 200 feet above the playing surface at the Vet is Wallenda’s second there, following the one he accomplishes in 1972 between games of another doubleheader – this one against the Montreal Expos before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 30,207.

Alas for Wallenda, he dies less than 22 months after his 1976 walk atop the Vet as he falls from 120 feet from a wire while trying to traverse two towers at the Condado Hotel during a live broadcast in San Juan, Puerto Rico.