Whiz Kids and 1950 Pennant CL

Robin Roberts and Paul Rodgers have written a terrific book that can be enjoyed by all Phillies and baseball fans. While the focus is on the 1950 Phillies, the authors have spent a fair amount of time (but not too much) explaining how dreadful the Phillies were in the decades leading up to 1950 and how the Phillies organization managed to change from the stodgy, cheap baseball club it had been to a forward thinking and nimble one that won the 1950 NL penant. Robin Roberts' memory for detail is terrific and you very much feel like you are there, through the victories, defeats, fights (on the field) and down times for the young men of the team. Many other players are highlighted and I liked the fact that Roberts did not sugar coat the shameful way Jackie Robinson had been treated by the other players including, regretably, the Phillies. Another enjoyable component of the book are many interviews, mostly done by Dean Rodgers, that are interesting and informative. The use of segments of these interviews throughout the book really confirms the accounts descibed in the book and helped to breath life into the players both on the field and off. I liked the fairly extensive statisitical compilation at the end of the book and think that serious fans will find that very useful to better undertand the team. As memories fade and those who actually remember the 1950 Whiz Kids walk off the field, this is an important book that preserves this moment of American-Philadelphia-Phillies history. It also happens to be a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. The Whiz Kids And the 1950 Pennant (Baseball In America)

Authors Paul Rogers and former Whiz Kid pitcher Robin Roberts have done a great job in bringing a memorable team back to life. Baseball books on teams usually involve New York teams and it is refreshing to read a book about a team that will always be remembered, not just by Phillies' fans, but by baseball fans across the country. Many of the names I came across in this book were merely pictures on baseball cards I started buying in the early '50's and this book provided me with some insight into their accomplishments on the ball diamond. There is a story behind each of those players' names I have in my mind, and the authors brought them to life in this book. If there was one drawback, if I may call it that, I found an excessive amount of play-by-play among the pages. However, I can live with that. The names of Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, and Richie Ashburn are household baseball names, but I was also happy to read about lesser lights like Bubba Church, Mike Goliat, and Stan Lopata who were only pictures on baseball cards to me. Phillies' fan or not, if you like baseball history, you will enjoy this book.

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.

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.

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"