PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Barbara Trucksess’ love of the Phillies has been documented in many ways.
When the 75-year-old from Delaware County reached out to KYW Newsradio about being featured as a Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week, she told a story of Phillies greatness that happened to take place on her birthday.
She and her future husband, Chuck, were at Veterans Stadium for a Phillies-Padres game on July 10, 1979 — her 30th birthday. While they were having dinner in the Stadium Club, Trucksess decided she wanted to return to their seats. The Phillies were losing, and she felt that returning to their seats would help them win.
The Phils were down 5-1, going to the bottom of the 9th against former Cy Young winner Randy Jones. After a couple runners got on with one out, future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers relieved Jones, only to give up a two-run single to Bob Boone and eventually a two-out, pinch-hit walk-off home run to Del Unser.
The Vet was going crazy. It was Unser’s third consecutive home run in as many pinch-hit at bats — a feat that made that particular bat worthy of entry into the Hall of Fame, according to Trucksess, who years later got to thank Unser at a fan fest for giving her such a huge birthday present.
It’s her vivid memory, and her appreciation for Phillies memorabilia, that demonstrates Barbara’s loyalty over nearly 60 years.
“She has been a diehard Phillies fan for as long as I can remember,” says her son, also named Chuck Trucksess.
Her son is the reason Barbara is a noted collector. A mother of two, she was feeling guilty for collecting porcelain dolls for her daughter. So, she decided to start a card collection for her boy — which she has been steadily growing since 1990.
“The shelving system that I have is wider than if I stretch my arms out, and taller than I am,” she says.
Barbara estimates she has close to a half-million cards. Chuck believes it’s probably a little over a few million. Whatever the total, it is extensive.
Her favorite card of a Phillies player is Hall of Fame ace Steve Carlton. But it’s not just Phillies cards. Her favorite, generally speaking, is of Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and actor Tom Selleck.
She also gets things autographed. A card shop owner once offered her money for a heavily signed poster.
“I’ll never sell it,” she says of the collection.
Chuck says she currently catalogs her collection while following the games. Eventually, it will be his to take over.
“I keep telling him,” Barabara said: “When I die, you can have these — but until then, they’re mine.”
He’s A-OK with that.
“I can’t wait to take it over, but I’m also dreading the day I have to take it over.”
In the meantime, Barbara and her family will keep rooting on the Phils, hoping they win a third World Series.
“My mother’s not real big on going into the city,” Chuck said, “but I know for a fact she’ll be there for the parade. She’ll make a point to be right there, center stage, as close as she can get.”
To hear more about Barbara’s fandom, tune into this week’s edition of KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.