It’s Labor Day weekend, and the “unofficial” end of summer for us, although summer doesn’t officially end until Sept. 22.

Yet, growing up, this weekend was associated with going back to school and making the sports transition from baseball to football. We got our new pens, pencils, notebooks and new shoes to begin the year.

I’ll never forget the Friday pizza lunches – a big treat – with the cartons of milk or iced tea.

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column – reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and sometimes before and beyond – I’ll take a look at some summer signoffs and September beginnings and a mix of other items.

More on the Hall Shuns: A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about whether or not Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, and it generated some interest here and for me personally.

In terms of ex-Phillies, are Curt Schilling and Bobby Abreu worthy of induction?

Schilling received 58.6 percent of the required 75 percent in his 10th and final season. He still may get elected through various veterans’ committees.

Overall in 20 years, he was 216-146, 3.46, and 3,116 strikeouts in 3,261 innings. Schilling also was a three-time World Series winner (2001, 2004, and 2007), had an 11-2 2,93 in 19 postseason starts, and was 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in five elimination starts.

And how can forget the bloody sock?

Abreu has received little support, gaining a personal best 15.4 percent in 2023. He was only a two-time All-Star and a one-time Golden Glover. However, he is in elite company reaching base 3,979 times, being only one of four players to do it from 1996-2014. He also led the majors in walks from 1998-2011.

Overall, Abreu hit .291 with 288 homers and 1,363 RBIs, and he added 254 stolen bases.

Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley should both find their way to Cooperstown.

Outside the Phillies, how about ex-Indian, White Sox and Oriole Albert Belle? He was viewed in a negative vein by the media because of his usual caustic response to them.

In 12 overall seasons, Belle hit. 295 with 381 homers and 1,239 RBIs. He had a slugging percentage of .546 and an OPS of .933.

School Days: Along with our new items, anyone remember Elmer’s paste in the bottle and a Bic Banana? We also treasured our buckled book bag/briefcase and our medal lunchboxes complete with a Thermos.

September meant Special Saturdays: In 1966, Saturday morning cartoons began to take a mainstay on the major networks. Some of the early trailblazers you may remember were The Road Runner Show, The Beagles, Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles, The Lone Ranger, The New Adventures of Superman, Go-Go Gophers, Space Ghost, the King Kong Show, and Superboy.

The 1968-69 seasons began the “Golden Age” of Saturday cartoons with the debut of Scooby Doo, Wacky Races, Josie and the Pussycats, Spiderman, Batman/Superman Hour, Pink Panther, and Banana Splits to name a few.

And does any remember the “Smokey Bear or “The Hardy Boys” cartoons?

Sundays, Too?: To use the “old school” term, you may have to “put your thinking caps on” to remember Sunday morning cartoons? Bullwinkle and Johnny Quest likely were the most significant ones, as the networks issued a slate until noon. Do you remember “Aquaman” on Sundays?

Going “Dutch”: You may still use the term today, but back in the day, it meant that you were going to pay for your own meal with someone else.

The origin of the term goes back to the 17th century as England’s negative feelings toward the Dutch during a time of trade route and political boundary issues.

More “Dutch” stuff: With the end of summer, it usually also brought an end to Shoo Fly Pies, one of my favorites. I remember getting them in a local store or a roadside stand.

Thanks Chad for bringing me one down South.

Tony’s Toes: In 1979, Eagles’ kicker Tony Franklin booted the first barefoot field goal in Eagles’ history in the second quarter of the Eagles’ season-opening 23-17 victory over the Giants.

Franklin and Paul McFadden have been the only barefoot kickers in Eagles’ history and two of only four in the game. Others were the Rams’ Mike Lansford and Jeff Wilkins, and Denver’s Rich Karlis.

Readers Write:

On Nicknames and Rose

How about Red Grange, “the Galloping Ghost?” And I think that (Pete) Rose should be in (the Hall of Fame).

Gary Muzzelo

Northampton

Hi Jeff!

Another great column, as usual! Pete Rose belongs in the HOF, along with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Dick Allen. In today’s game, players’ lives are an “open book.” In the old days, the media either swept things under the carpet or didn’t emphasize the dark sides of Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Cap Anson, and a few others. Organized sports betting is legal. Pete Rose bet on his team to WIN. These players played to win. Let them in!

“Wild” Red Berry was a former pro wrestler and famous manager of Gorilla Monsoon, the Fabulous Kangaroos, and Hans “the Great” Mortier. He would use his sawed off cane to interfere in a match. Don’t forget the Cincinnati Reds - the “Big Red Machine.”

How many TV viewers remember some TV stations signing on at 5 a.m. with the national anthem, followed by the “farm report?” Does anybody remember the theme song from the “Late Late Show” followed by a few hours of the test pattern?

Richard Ochs

Walnutport, PA

Dear Jeff,

As a lifelong Phillies’ fan, I wanted to weigh in on the ongoing debate as to whether or not Pete Rose should be in the baseball Hall of Fame.

I grew up watching Pete play for the Reds (my second favorite team) and was thrilled when the Phillies signed him in 1979. I felt he was the missing piece the Phillies needed to finally win the World Series, and they did just that in his second season with the team in 1980.

His baseball numbers speak for themselves, the most significant being the all-time hits leader with 4,256. This is a record that may never be broken as the closest active player is over 2,000 hits behind.

While I feel Pete is not a great human as evidenced by numerous incidents off the field including tax evasion and sport gambling, I don’t feel that should keep him out of the Hall. MLB should separate his off-the field accomplishments with the mistakes he has made and allow him to be inducted into the Hall.

None of us are perfect, and I feel Pete Rose’s amazing baseball career should be recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ben Thomas

Bethlehem

WWF/WWE Wrap: Each week, I’ll recount a former wrestling standout from out past.

Do you remember Sid Vicious? Born Sydney Eudy, Vicious recently passed away from cancer at the age of 63. He also was known as Sid Justice and Sycho Kid. Many people may not have recognized that Vicious was 6-9 and roughly 320 pounds.

Vicious was the WWF Heavyweight champion from 1996-97, and he also was the WCW Heavyweight Champion, CWA Heavyweight Champion, and was a NWA Tag Team Champion.

He was known for his alliance as one of the “Four Horseman” along with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard, and also was part of the “Million Dollar Corporation” with Shawn Michaels.

Vicious compiled an overall match record of 535-357-51.

Memory Lane: Each week, I’ll recall a former player, coach, manager, or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember former Eagles’ defensive tackle Manny Sistrunk? He was the Redskins firth-round choice in the 1970 draft and spent the 1970-75 seasons there.

Sistrunk was acquired from Washington along with a sixth-round pick for disgruntled Eagles’ cornerback Joe Lavender in 1976, and was on the line through 1979. He is a distant cousin of former high-profile Raiders’ defensive tackle Otis Sistrunk.

Your thoughts? They are always welcomed at tnsports@tnoline.com.