The Whiz Kids And the 1950 Pennant (Baseball In America) [Hardcover]

Robin Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Series: Baseball In America | Publication Date: November 15, 1996

The 1950 Phillies unexpectedly captured the hearts and imaginations of Philadelphians. A young upstart team in fact, the youngest major league baseball team ever fielded they capped a Cinderella season by winning the pennant from the heavily favored Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field on the last day of the season. It was the first National League pennant for the team since 1915. With that dramatic victory the 1950 Phillies went into the history books, known forever as the Whiz Kids. This inspiring era in Phillies history comes alive with the personal reflections of Robin Roberts, a Hall of Famer and arguably the best right-handed pitcher in Phillies history. Roberts recounts the moves, the trades, and the developments that put this young and talented team together. Co-author C. Paul Rogers III interviewed many of the other players from that memorable season, and even manager Eddie Sawyer. Their recollections, accompanied by more than 80 black-and-white photographs, offer an uncommon look at what went into building the extraordinary Whiz Kids. Rich with anecdotes never before published from players like Hall-of-Famer Richie Ashburn, Bubba Church, Andy Seminick, Curt Simmons, Del Ennis, Dick Sisler, Russ Meyer, and many others, this book relives the success of the Whiz Kids in all their glory. Author note: Robin Roberts is a former all-star pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played on the 1950 team and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame with 286 career wins. C. Paul Rogers, III is Dean of the Law School at Southern Methodist University.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Every generation or so, a team comes along whose march toward victory is so improbable that you can't help but root them along. The 1950 Philadelphia Phillies was that kind of team; young and spirited, the Whiz Kids played a raw, emotional brand of baseball, nipping the Brooklyn Dodgers on the final day of the season to bring the National League's perennial doormat its first title in 35 years. Hall-of-Fame member Robin Roberts, the team's ace starter, peppers his recollections with snippets of oral history from his teammates to produce a book as lively as the team itself.

Review

"The Whiz Kids' accomplishment is one of those that endures, and this book tells their story well. It is, in fact, a three-base hit: one part Roberts' recollections, one part reminiscences by his teammates and others, and one part Rogers' narrative. Together they create a very pleasing whole." --Steve Gietschier, The Sporting News "Roberts and Rogers have turned what might have been just a dull diary into a fascinating account...It is Roberts who tells the Whiz Kids' story here, aided by Rogers' exhaustive research. The pitcher's detailed recall of people and games provides an insider's view, and Rogers' interviews of all the available personnel add immesurably to the story." --Allen Lewis, The Philadelphia Inquirer "Reading Roberts' and Rogers' book was a pure delight for me. It was like finding an album of long-forgotten letters and photographs in a dusty attic and being transported backward in time to a stage of my youth when all things seemed possible and men-children in red pinstripes were truly larger than life." --Tom Kelly, Sun-Sentinel "When your read the [Whiz Kids'] book, you could be sitting in the dugout next to the great right-hander, just swapping stories...so if you're one of those who get sort of a glazed look when they hear names like Rich Ashburn, Ralph "Putsy" Caballero, Emory "Bubba" Church, Granville "Granny" Hamner, and Willie "Puddinhead" Jones, then pick up The Whiz Kids and follow them through the season to the 1950 pennant and a matchup against the Yankees." --Steve Otto, Tampa Tribune "Paul Rogers' exhaustive research and the storehouse of memories shared by Robin Roberts and his teammates preserve this Cinderella story to be savored by all Phillies fans." --Dallas Morning News

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 390 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press; First Edition edition (November 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156639466X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566394666
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baseballs Wonderful" Whiz Kids" remembered, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Whiz Kids And the 1950 Pennant (Baseball In America) (Hardcover)

If you love baseball history-especially the immediate post-war years 1947-50 this gem of a remembrance is for you. Hall-of-famer Robin Roberts has combined with author Paul Rogers to relive those years when baseball,after a decline during WW2,regained its preeminance as America's national game and with integration and night games,embarked upon a 25 year golden era that may never be duplicated in professional sports. Using Roberts near photographic memory,oral history,and excellent research,author Rogers provides a rich fast-paced narrative that culminates with the miracle season of 1950 when a brash group of youngsters know as the Whiz Kids(Roberts,Richie Ashburn,Del Ennis,Granny Hamner,Curt Simmons,Willie Jones,Mike Goliat,and Stan Lopata)combined with a few seasoned veterans(Jim Konstanty,Andy Seminick,Dick Sisler,and Eddie Waitkus to stun the baseball world by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers on the final day of the season in one of the most dramatic games in the history of baseball. The authors cover the development of the team from 1947 on and do not shy away from the controversies of the period such as the race-baiting of Jackie Robinson during his rookie year(the Phillies were prominently involved and it may have been a big factor in the firing of manager Ben Chapman)and the near fatal shooting of Eddie Waitkus. While the authors admirably document the contributions of every member of the team,skillfully pointing out that every member contributed something that won at least one game,two facts clearly emerge-without Jim Konstanty's record breaking performance as the seasons premier relief pitcher and the job of manager Eddie Sawyer there was no way the Phillies would have one the pennant. In fact it is in some ways the story of Eddie Sawyer(one of baseballs best kept secrets as a gentleman and manager) that drives the narrative to its apex. Read the book and see the unique approach to managing men that Sawyer brought to the game,an approach that is at once so logical and appealing that it seems easy until you try it. Baseball could use some Eddie Sawyers today. As a matter of fact,a few more Robin Roberts wouldn't hurt either. One hopes that Roberts and Rogers will combine their talents and continue the Roberts story after the 1950 season as the great right-hander was an eyewitness to the momentous growth and change that occurred in baseball during his 18 year career. This a truly outstanding addition to the library of anyone who values and loves baseball history.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Last gasp of an old regime, September 20, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Toto, Guam) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Whiz Kids And the 1950 Pennant (Baseball In America) (Hardcover)

This is another boonie dog book review by Wolfie and Kansas. We were somewhat amused when we first heard the title of Robin Roberts and C. Paul Rogers III's book, "The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant". To us dogs, a "whiz kid" is an unhousebroken puppy. However, these Whiz Kids were the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, and this is a book about humans playing fetch. While this is not a literary gem like Roger Kahn's "The Boys of Summer", it is an above-average baseball book comparable to another recent book by a pitcher from the same era, Don Larsen's "The Perfect Yankee". We recommend this book to all baseball fans. It is in the must-read category for any Phillies fan.

We do have two reservations about "The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant". The first concerns the portrayal of Jim Konstanty, the relief pitcher who was the 1950 National League MVP. One of our noncanine animal companions of primate derivation (who has loaned us his habit of shameless namedropping for purposes of this review) was a regular customer at Mr. Konstanty's sporting goods store in the mid-1960's. He remembers Mr. Konstanty as being far more personable than one would gather from this book. Of course, the pressures of making a record number of appearances during a tight pennant race could affect one's affability.

Also, while not shying away from the issue, Roberts and Rogers do not fully develop the ironic theme that the Whiz Kids, a supposed youth movement and potential future dynasty, were actually the dying embers of a fading era. The 1950 Phillies were the last all-white National League pennant winners, edging out the Jackie Robinson/Roy Campanella/Don Newcombe Dodgers in extra innings on the final day of the season. With the Phillies management dragging its heels as to recruiting and signing the best available ballplayers regardless of race, the remainder of the National League pennants in the 1950's went to the Dodgers, the Giants (with Willie Mays and Monte Irvin) and the Braves (with Hank Aaron). (Given the arguments as to whether the current millenium ends in 1999 or 2000, we should perhaps add the 1960 Pirates with Roberto Clemente to that list.) Not only did this relegate the Phillies to the second division, but it probably also cost author Roberts the chance to win 300 games. It would be interesting to see David Halberstram analyze the 1950 National League pennant race in a manner similar to his analysis of the 1964 World Series in "October 1964"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WHIZ KIDS A WINNER, November 18, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant (Baseball in America Series) (Paperback)

This is a very well written account about a team that captured the hearts of an entire city. This is a great account of the surprising achievment of the 1950 Phillies. The excellent interviews of the players involved and the rehashing of the author is great. A very nostalgic and fact filled retelling of an exciting and fun filled year in baseball. A must read for all Phillie and historical baseball buffs.