Customer Reviews

Occasional Glory: The History of the Philadelphia Phillies

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Having been a huge Phillies fan for over 25 years, I have followed the team through the glory of the 70's and early 80's, through the leans late 80's and 90's. This book has allowed me to go back to my childhood and relived some of the greatest moments.

The book starts off from the4 very beginnings in 1876 through the 2000 season and the travel is a great time, as I was able to read through the entire text in just under 2 hours.

From the early days with Ed Delhanty, Billy Hamilton, Sam Thompson, Duffy Cooley and Elmer Flick to the 50's Whiz Kids with Robin Roberts, Jim Bunning and Richie Ashburn all the to the great teams of the 70's and 80's with Schmidt, Carlton and even today with players like Schilling, Rolen, Hollins and Daulton there is a story for everyone.

Read about the bad trades, the mangers, the end of season collapses and heartbreaks to the World Series win in 1980 and the losses in 1983 and the dramatic loss in 1993. The book was a delight to read and a great addition to my personal library.

If you love the Phillies as much as I do or if you are a baseball history nut than this is book is certainly one to look at. Overall one of the best baseball books I have ever read.

If the Chicago Cubs motto is "Wait 'Til Next Year," the Philadelphia Phillies' could be "Remember Yesteryear." And as witnessed by his title, David M. Jordan delivers Phils' history high and tight.
Every Philadelphian and every baseball fan from the original eight National League cities will find cause for smiles and tears in this book. Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn and other heroes from beloved baseball cards thrown out by Mom come to life. The agony of collapse in 1964 -- it could've been the Phils instead of the Cardinals that signaled the end of the Yankee dynasty. The lone World Championship [before the book's publication] in 1980 with Lefty Carlton (take that, St. Louis!) and Mike Schmidt. And the thrilling, still unbelievable pennant in '93 with perhaps the greatest cast of characters ever on a team: Dykstra and Kruk, Shilling and Daulton and the original Wild Thing, Mitch Williams.
Like the great Phils players, Jordan gives 110%. If you care about baseball -- and Phillies fans care more than just about anyone -- buy this book.

Since the age of six I have loved the Phillies. Of my first memories are the 1972 Phillies. A team that managed 59 wins with Superstar Pitcher Steve Carlton (he won 27). For the last 23 years I have suffered along with the Phillies, except for the occassional glory of 1980. But 23 years is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the 100 plus years of suffering.
Jordan captures the trials and tribulations in his well written, well paced book. The Phillies, unlike the St. Louis Browns or football's, Cardinals, do try to win. They just can't pull it off.
This book is not very indepth, but very enjoyable. I can't wait to read what he has done with the Athletics.