The passing of a Philly icon

Richie Ashburn, left, and Mike Schmidt in 1995 at their Hall of Fame induction in Cooperstown

The end of an era in Philadelphia comes 28 years ago today as Phillies Hall of Fame outfielder and legendary broadcaster Richie Ashburn dies of a heart attack in a New York City hotel room. He is 70.

Ashburn is the heart of the Phillies’ offense from 1948-59 and then, starting in 1963, the soul of the team’s broadcast team.

“We have lost a cherished friend,” Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt says at the time. “You didn’t have to know him personally to consider him a friend.”

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