It’s the end of September, and its time of reflection.

Over the years, we think of it as the end of the regular baseball season and the possibility of the playoffs ahead, and the initial reaction of the football season with usually three or four games to evaluate.

How we would wait for those afternoon MLB playoff games that we knew would happen soon.

September also has been viewed as the traditional kickoff of the fall season, even though summer officially ended Sept. 22. It is also the time when Halloween decorations are in full gear, and whispers of Christmas begin. September is the unofficial start of the second half of the year.

Ah, but back to sports...

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 September swoons through the years and some pop culture that surfaced during the month.

Phillies Pflounders and Pflyers: Yes, we all still have our haunts from the Phillies’ 1964 season, and it has been well-documented in this column. The Chico Ruiz stealing of home was Sept. 21, and it began a 10-game losing streak. Here are some others:

In 2003, the Phillies had a half-game lead over the Marlins for a Wild Card spot on Sept. 19, but lost seven of their final eight games, including a sweep by the Marlins under Larry Bowa.

In 2020, the Phillies had 1.5-game in the Wild Card hunt, but three teams passed them when they went 1-7 in their final eight games. This was the shortened 60-game COVID season under Joe Girardi.

Overall, the Phillies have an overall September record of 1,782-2,015, and they are 137-128 on September Fridays.

Some of their worst Septembers: 7-17 in 1919; 9-13 in ’99; 9-20 in 2000; and 10-18 in 1971.

Two of the best slates were in 1977 with the 101-win team with a 19-10 record, and in 1983 with the “Wheez Kids” who produced a 21-6 mark.

Fly Low and High: Through the years, the Eagles have had some memorable and unmemorable Septembers.

In September 2003, the Eagles were in Dallas for the famous “pickle juice” game in which the Eagles drank pickle juice to avoid dehydration with temperatures on the field reportedly between 109 and 130. The Eagles won handily, 41-14, and held the Dallas-led Dave Campo (remember him?) to 167 yards.

In September 1991, it was a somber day at the Vet when the Eagles commemorated the life of late defensive tackle Jerome Brown, who was killed in a car crash during the summer. The Eagles retired his number and downed the Saints, 15-13.

Remember Ray Rhodes? He was the head coach on one of the worst Eagles’ days at the Vet in the 1998 home opener when Seattle rattled them 38-0.

It also marked one of the worst starts in Eagles’ history when they dropped their four September games and seven of their first eight in Rhodes’ last season. In the previous season, Rhodes started 1-3 in September.

On the Tube: September also was the debut of a new fall TV lineup as well as a new set of Saturday morning cartoons in our day.

Going back 50 years in 1974, some of the shows that debuted were “Police Woman” (remember Angie Dickinson?), “Harry O,” “Happy Days,” “Rhoda,” “Chico and the Man,” and one of my all-time favorites, “The Rookies.”

On the cartoon front, some of us were watching cartoons that didn’t trigger immediate thoughts were “The New Adventures of Gilligan,” “Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch,” “The Partridge Family 2200 AD.”

Some that did were, “Hong Kong Phooey,” “Valley of the Dinosaurs,” and the “U.S. of Archie.” The Archies were dominant in the 70s.

Speaking of “The Partridge Family,” they were part of legendary Friday night lineup that debuted this week in 1970 that included, “The Brady Bunch,” “Nanny and the Professor,” “Love American Style,” and ‘Tom Jones.”

Anyone remember, “Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell?” It aired from 1975-76 and had a regular guest list of Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Bill Cosby, Fran Sinatra, and Paul Anka. Not a bad list.

Another Classic Game: It’s not a game, but do you remember when TV Guide would list the lineups of a game televised by the major networks? It was yet another reason that made the little magazine a must for watching. These were great, and I always peeled through it quickly to find the lineups.

On the Charts and the Shelves: Everyone should know the song “September,” recorded by Earth, Wind and Fire in 1978, and “See You In September,” another repetitive tune that most people don’t know was recorded by the Tempos in 1959. For the senior crows, you may recall Frank Sinatra’s “September of My Years” in 1965.

“September Swoon, Richie Allen, the ’64 Phillies, and Racial Integration,” is a great book written by Philadelphia-based writer William Kashatus. It was published in 2004 and can still be easily found.

More September Stage: Some of the legendary Phillies September call-ups have been Marty Bystrom, Darin Ruf, Marlon Anderson, Carlos Ruiz, and Jimmy Rollins.

In 2008, Ryan Howard had one of the best September debuts in club history. He hit .352 with 11 home runs, 32 RBIs and a 1.274 OPS in September. It ranks as the fourth-best OPS in September in franchise history. Howard helped the Phillies overcome a 3 1/2-game deficit against the Mets with 16 games to play to win the NL East.

Heere’s Johnny: On this date in 1954, The Tonight Show debuted as an original 40-minute show from 11:20 to midnight on New York station WNBT.

Steve Allen served as its first host and Gene Rayburn was his announcer. The show shifted to a news and features show before host Jack Paar brought back the format in 1957. Johnny Carson began his near 30-year run in October 1962

You can watch the Carson reruns on Antenna TV, and his monologue still makes me laugh.

It truly was a great late-night show.

WWF/WWE Wrap: Each week, I’ll look back a t a former WWF/WWE legend.

Do you remember S. D. (Special Delivery) Jones? Normally not a headliner, the Antigua native was a fan favorite whose signature move was a head butt.

His career spanned from 1974 through 1995 in which he posted an overall 1028-1135 record with 163 draws. Jones also grappled in the NWA, where he was a three-time Tag Team champion.

Jones passed away at age 63 in 2008.

On this date: In 1997, Larry Christenson won his 18th game and hit a grand slam as the Phillies capture their second consecutive NL East title, 15-9, over Chicago at Wrigley Field. From there, they captured three additional victories that gave them 101 wins for the second straight year.

From 1975-78, Christenson posted a 56-34 record. Unfortunately, injuries severely slowed his once promising career. Overall, Christenson’s 11-year career ended in 1983, and he had an overall

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

Do you remember former Phillies infielder Jim Morrison? He was a fifth-round 197 4 draft pick, and he was a September 1977 call-up.

Morrison spent 58 games in 1978 with the Phillies hitting just .174 before he was traded to the White Sox, where he played four years, hitting .263 overall with 46 homers and 145 RBIs.

He then spent six years with the Pirates, hitting .274 overall with 57 homers and 241 RBIs. Morrison also played two years with the Tigers, and played a final season with the Braves in 1998.

Your thoughts, comments, and ideas are always welcomed at tnsports@tnonline.com.