The Philadelphia Phillies’ season opener featured an ambitious stunt where a performer, dubbed “Kiteman,” was set to glide down a massive ramp in the stadium’s upper deck with a hang-glider, eventually delivering the game ball for the opening pitch. The team promoted this spectacle extensively, but a players’ strike delayed the initial game, causing the original stunt performer to miss the rescheduled event due to prior commitments to teach the Mexican president to waterski.
In a last-minute scramble, Phillies’ promotions director Bill Giles found a local hardware store owner with some kite-flying experience to step in as the stuntman. Initially reluctant to assume such a risky role for $1,000, he eventually accepted for $1,500, albeit refusing to conduct a practice run. During the lead-up to the stunt, he candidly voiced his fears, joking that if he were to face a fatal accident, he preferred more than just one person watching.
On the day of the event, 38,000 fans gathered in anticipation, but the stuntman froze at the top of the ramp, prompting boos from the crowd. When he finally pushed himself off, he picked up speed but was unexpectedly caught by a gust of wind, which sent him crashing into the stands about halfway down. Fans feared for his safety, while Giles expressed concern that he might have died. Despite the mishap, the audience continued to boo loudly, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the stunt.
The debacle was not just an isolated incident; it became an infamous part of Phillies lore. The team’s season took a downturn, finishing last in the National League East, but Kiteman continued to attempt the stunt repeatedly in subsequent years. Ironically, the crowd’s reaction transformed into one of jubilation whenever the stunt failed, suggesting they had embraced the chaos. Ultimately, when Kiteman successfully completed a landing in the outfield in 1990, the audience’s disappointment was palpable, illustrating how what began as a thrilling spectacle evolved into a cherished tradition for the fans.