Among the most remarkable sports stories I know is that of Phil Marchildon.
Growing up next door to Penetanguishene, Phil ” Babe ” Marchildon is, was and forever will be, a town sports legend.
Starting far later than most, Marchildon went from pitching in Penetang, to the Sudbury region, to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League, and finally, in his late 20’s, made the Major Leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics.
On a hopeless club, Marchildon was a sensation, winning 17 games.
A feat like Marchildon’s, considering sport, age and era will never be duplicated.
But that’s not the remarkable part of the story.
After two highly successful years on the mound in Philadelphia, Marchildon was recruited by the Royal Canadian Air Force and was deployed as a tail gunner in World War 2.
On his 28th mission, his plane was struck by a missile, forcing Marchildon to bail out, landing in the North Sea with one other survivor, rescued by a Danish boat, but eventually captured by the Germans
Imprisoned at Stalag 3, the entire camp had to mobilize as the war zone encroached, forcing them to lug supplies and sleep outdoors day after day after day….
Ten months after being shot down. Marchildon and his fellow prisoners were liberated and after retuning home, in short order Marchildon was back with the Phillies, who were no better on the field, and won an astounding 19 games.
The Disney ending does not wholly exist here, though
In short order, Marchildon’s nerves, frayed by his experience and ordeal in the war, betrayed him causing him to lose his control and ended his days as a Major League pitcher
Still, the story of Phil ” Babe ” Marchildon from Penetang, remains one of the most remarkable sports stories I’ve ever heard
Lest We Forget.
I’m Fred Wallace