Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant

"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

• A Special Tribute by James A. Michener Foreword by Pat Williams Introduction 1. The Whiz Kids Win a Pennant 2. A Dismal Team History 3. The Carpenters Take Over 4. 1947: Jackie Robinson, Treading Water, and Building for the Future 5. Cy and Me 6. Phenoms, the Hat, and the Babe Ruth of Cuba 7. Professor Sawyer Assumes Control 8. Near Tragedy 9. The First Division 10. Spring Training 1950: The Whiz Kids Give Notice 11. A Tense Pennant Race 12. August: The Whiz Kids Take Command 13. September Adversity 14. The Final Weekend Epilogue: The World Series and Beyond Appendix A: What Happened to the Whiz Kids Appendix B: Box Score of Pennant-Winning Game, October 1, 1950 Appendix C: Individual Statistics for the 1950 Phillies Appendix D: The 1950 national League Race Month by Month Appendix E: Game-by-Game Summary of the 1950 Phillies' Season Afterword Select Bibliography Index