This week’s Good Chair Award goes to a man whose name is practically stitched into the seams of Delco baseball — Dave Jerdon, manager of the Upper Darby Blue Sox.
Why Dave?
Because Dave Dombrowski didn’t do enough, in my opinion. The Phillies don’t have anyone hot enough to put in the Good Chair. And the Eagles? They’re in training camp — and no one earns the recliner based on camp stats.
So this week, we’re doing what Philly does best: honoring a local guy who actually deserves it — Dave Jerdon.
After 32 seasons managing the Blue Sox, Dave just led his squad to their fifth straight Delco League Championship appearance. That’s not a typo — five in a row. And he did it the same way he always has: calm, composed, and unflappable. You won’t see Dave screaming at umpires or spiking hats. His leadership is quiet, steady, and built to last — and the entire local baseball community is better because of it.
Let’s talk about the league.
The Delco Baseball League has real history.
Founded in 1908, it’s the oldest semi-pro baseball league in the country. It’s a league where:
• College athletes stay game-ready
• Former players hang onto the dream (or just the brotherhood)
• Ex-pros get one more crack
• And sometimes, former MLB draft picks work out the kinks
The Delco League has its legends of the past and present.
Ben Davis played here for a short time.
Delco legend Brian Stumpf — and former Phillies minor leaguer — was practically part of the league’s DNA in the late ’90s and 2000s.
And yeah, even Babe Ruth was once rumored to be in the mix — a negotiation bluff, sure, but the name still echoes. That’s the kind of league we’re talking about.
This year’s Blue Sox are no joke
They feature Kevin McGovern, a former St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer, as well as, a stacked roster with college kids from West Chester, Penn State and all over the Delaware Valley!
At the center of it all — managing, mentoring, and building yet another contender. There’s Dave Jerdon. Clipboard. Hat. Calm stare. Still grinding.
But now comes the familiar challenge:
Wayne — the team that’s hoisted the Delco League Championship trophy 19 times.
Yes, nineteen.
They’re considered the Yankees of the Delco League — always stacked, always ready, always in the conversation.
And I got news for you:
Nobody in Philly who knows baseball likes the Yankees.
Now here’s the thing:
Dave has faced Wayne in the championship before — but he’s never beaten them.
The history is there. The rivalry is real. And this year… just maybe… it’s time.
The bats are alive. The pitching is deep.
And there’s a feeling in the air that this could finally be the one.
No matter how the series shakes out, one thing is undeniable:
Dave Jerdon is a Hall of Famer in waiting.
His impact on Delco baseball goes far beyond box scores and banners. He’s mentored generations of players, kept the game strong, and earned the quiet respect of anyone who’s ever leaned on a fence on a hot summer night in Upper Darby.
So here’s to you, Dave.
Pull up the recliner — just for a second.
This week, the Good Chair Award is yours.
But something tells us…
You’re not done just yet.
