Flyers

Your Full, Awkward Spectrum Demolition Roundup

By Kyle Scott

Published: Nov 23rd, 2010 · 2:02 PM EST

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This is going to take a while

That was, quite possibly, the most awkward hour in Philadelphia sports history.

If you weren't there in person, or didn't get a chance to watch the live feed, well, you didn't exactly miss much.

Peter Luuko got the party started.  He talked about his memories of the Spectrum and "that funny smell" during Grateful Dead concerts.  Rebel.

Speaking of rebels, Mayor Nutter followed Luuko.  He sheepishly told the crowd about the time he left school early to go see the Flyers' Stanley Cup parade.  Oh man, just a couple of gangstas up on that stage today.

Then it came time for Dr. J to speak.  FOR 15 MINUTES.  He waxed poetic about life, tombstone dashes and… I don't know, I stopped listening.  Is it just me, or is he starting to look more and more like Jackie Childs?

Ed Snider had the quote of the day, when speaking about the future:

In The Wells Fargo… whatever it's called center.

 

Well played, Ed.  A bunch of Tweets say that he left before the wrecking ball could do its damage. UPDATE: here he is watching from his car.

We use that term loosely.  At 12:35, with Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball blaring, the crane operator took his first swing.  And then another.  And another.  Then, on his fourth attempt, knocked some dust out.  Boos prompted him to go after some windows.  Only in Philly.

Sadly, the most emotional moment came in CSN's studio.  Michael Barkann held back tears as he talked about how he met his wife in the bowels of the old showplace.  

Video of the demolition and booing after the jump.  And a picture of a guy in a kilt wearing a Hextall jersey playing the bag pipes.  I love you, Philadelphia.