How would the flight of the Eagles changed if they had drafted O.J. Simpson instead of Leroy Keyes in 1969. Or how would the Phillies have been with Ferguson Jenkins in their starting rotation for 10 years?

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column - reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s - sometimes before and beyond - I’ll take a look at careers that could have developed among some of Philly’s more notable athletes. Next week, I’ll follow up on the topic.

Also, why didn’t “Big Mac” win a title in Philly? What 70s game involved “slapping” your hand in a direction? Who was “Mr. Baseball” and who was wrestling’s “The New Living Legend.”

A Dose of Philly O.J.: The Eagles appeared primed to draft Simpson with their first overall pick in the ‘69 draft. At the time, they were 0-11, all signs pointed to them either going winless or picking up a single win.

Well, like it did many times back then, fortune again worked against the Birds.

Running back Tom Woodeshick helped lead the Eagles to two victories in their final three games, running for 79 yards against the Lions and 122 versus the Saints, while Simpson was shuffling off to the 1-12-1 Bills.

Buffalo finished 4-10 the following season, as Simpson ran for 697 yards and caught 30 passes. However, Simpson really didn’t make an impact on the Bills until his record-breaking ‘73 season when his 2,003 season yards total helped them to a 9-5 record.

Simpson ran for 1,503 yards in ‘76 at age 29, but the Bills sank to 2-12 after three consecutive winning seasons. Two years later in March 1979, Simpson was sent to San Francisco for five draft picks - one a 1979 top pick - but he didn’t reach his previous heights in two years with the Niners.

Had Simpson been drafted by the Eagles, he certainly could have changed the landscape. Or could he have?

By comparison from 1969 through ‘77, Simpson rushed for a combined 10,293 yards to the Eagles’ backs’ total of 5,871 yards. Tom Sullivan accumulated the most yards in a season with 968 yards in ‘73, ironically Simpson’s banner year.

However, during the same span, the Eagles produced an overall record of 40-81-5 and the Bills were 43-81-2. If you looked at both offensive lines during the time, they were relatively even.

Fergie’s Fizzles: In 1962, the Phillies signed a sprawling, dynamic righthander named Ferguson Jenkins, and thought they had a future stud. Too bad they never got a chance to see him develop.

Jenkins went 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA in seven appearances as a reliever in 1965, and he was shipped to Chicago the following April for hurlers Larry Jackson and Bob Buhl.

Jackson went 41-45 with a 2.95 ERA in four seasons, and Buhl had a 6-8 record with a 6-8 with a 4.77 ERA in ‘66 and then vanished.

Jenkins went on to a 167-132 record and a Cy Young Award with the Cubs.

If Jenkins would have stayed, he could have formed an effective duo with Jim Bunning and eventually with Steve Carlton through the 1983 season when he ended his career with Texas.

Big Mac: George McGinnis and Julius Erving were billed as the duo that would take the Sixers to their second championship. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

McGinnis arrived in Philly in ‘75, and Dr. J came a year later. But the two could never truly jell, and McGinnis’ numbers dipped from his Pacer days. “Big Mac” was criticized for his play in the ‘77 NBA Finals against Portland, and in the quarterfinal round against Washington a year later.

McGinnis was dealt to Denver for Bobby Jones in 1978, and the Sixers finally won their elusive championship in ‘83.

When the two played together for two seasons, McGinnis averaged 21.4 and 20.3, while Erving was 21.6 and 20.6. When McGinnis left, Erving averaged better than 23 points per game until the ‘81-82 season. In the championship year, Erving averaged 21.4.

McGinnis’ play slowly deteriorated through his last season with Indiana in ‘81-82.

However, if they could have meshed, McGinnis and Erving could have won a number of championships. Imagine, if they could have played with Moses Malone, who was the difference with his rebounding to win the Sixers a title.

But McGinnis and Erving were two dominant players with different styles.

Another Classic Game(s): Over the years, there have been plenty of games that we wish we could play today.

One well-known game from the ‘70s was “Hands Down” by Ideal. When you have a pair of cards, you would slap the hand down in front of you, and the last player from the four hands to respond would lose the game. With all the slapping, this could get a little touchy.

Anyone remember “The Sinking of the Titanic” game by Ideal? Initially, players had to make it off the ship before it sank. Then the players had to survive the open seas. The first player to reach the rescue boat wins the game.

Remembering Mr. Baseball: Nicknamed “Mr. Baseball” by venerable last-night host Johnny Carson, Bob Uecker recently passed away at the age 90.

Uecker spent the 1996 and ‘67 season with the Phillies, and he hit seven homers with 30 RBIs in ‘66. Overall, Uecker hit .202 in 96 games with seven homers and 37 RBIs.

We likely most remember him for his Miller Lite commercials and his famous line, “I must be in the front rooooow!”

Uecker never drew any comparisons to being the next Johnny Bench, but he made his mark as a Brewers announcer and an ambassador for the game.

By the way, the current late-night hosts can’t compare to the presence and wit of Carson, whose shows still can be seen on the Antenna Network at 10 p.m.

WWWF/WWE Wrap: Each Week, I’ll recall a wrestler from our past.

In keeping with the theme, do you remember Larry Zbyszko? He was a protégé of Bruno Sammartino, and turned against his mentor. Zbyszko didn’t want to live in the shadow of Sammartino and felt slighted by boss Vince McMahon.

You have to wonder how Zbyszko might have done if he stayed a good guy.

Born Lawrence Whistler in Pittsburgh, Zbyszko began his career in 1972 and wrestled in a tag-team match in November 2024. He had 2,212 matches and had an overall record of 1,040-943 with 229 draws.

Zbyszko billed himself as “The New Living Legend,” seeking to rival Sammartino’s “Living Legend” tag. He was known for the figure-four leg lock and a pile driver.

Over the years, Zbyszko was a WWWF tag-team champion with Tony Garea, along with a NWA, AWA, and WCW heavyweight champion. He also was a WCW commentator.

One of his most recognizable matches was a steel-cage bout against Sammartino at Shea Stadium in 1980 in which Sammartino won in just under 15 minutes.

Memory Lane: Each week, I’ll recount the career of a former player, head coach, manager, or media personality.

Do you remember infielder Billy Grabarkewitz? He was a highly touted Dodger’ middle infield prospect who was traded to the Angels as part of the Andy Messersmith deal.

The Phillies acquired Grabarkewitz in August 1973 from the Angels for a player to be named later, who turned out to be Denny Doyle.

Grabarkewitz spent parts of the ’73 and 1974 season with the Phils, but he never materialized as expected. In 59 games with the Phils, Grabarkewitz hit. 240.

The Cubs purchased him in July ’74, and he finished his career a year later with the A’s.

In seven overall seasons, Grabarkewitz hit .236 with 28 homers and 141 RBIs in 466 games.

Like I mentioned earlier, I will follow up on some more athletes next week.

Still, I would like to hear from me. Send me who you believe could have had a longer career in Philly as well as any other thoughts to tnsports@tnonline.com