The Whiz Kids: How the 1950 Phillies Took the Pennant, Lost the World Series, and Changed Philadelphia Baseball Forever

by Dennis Snelling

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction

328 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before 1950, the Philadelphia Phillies had not won a World Series and had only been to one other Series in 1915. They certainly played second fiddle in their own city to the Athletics and Connie Mack who had 9 pennants and 5 championships under their belt. But a surprise National League pennant in 1950 changed the perception of the team and this book by Dennis Snelling gives a good look at the team and at Philadelphia baseball history.

The book can be considered to have three separate sections. The first third of the book deals with Philadelphia baseball prior to the mid 1940’s, primarily about the Phillies of course. I found this section to have some good information, but was somewhat dry. Admittedly, I was getting antsy to read about their magical 1950 season, especially when Snelling would talk about members of that team in their performance before they gelled that year.

Then came a complete rundown of the 1950 season up to game 4 when the New York Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Phillies. From spring training to the last out, Snelling gives a thorough and excellent look at the team, their performance on the field and their chemistry and interactions during the season. Far beyond focusing on the stars of the team like Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons, just about anything you wanted to know about the “Whiz Kids” are covered there.

The third part of the book then describes how baseball in Philadelphia changed after that 1950 season. It started off by describing what each player, coach, manager and owner did during that off season. Also covered is the departure of the Athletics to Kansas City, Connie Mack stepping down as manager and then further talk about Philadelphia baseball. Much like the first section, I found the information good, but the reading fairly dry, especially when compared to the actual baseball talk in the second section.

Any Philadelphia baseball fan will enjoy this book, dry or not, as this will cover just about anything they will want to know about that team that is one of the most beloved teams that lost a World Series.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

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[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Three stars seems a tad too low, but four star seems a tad too high. And what I actually do mean as a compliment, this is a very workmanlike history of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies. No frills, but still engaging and kept me reading. Snelling did a good job of building up to the season and then tracking the team after, showing how the minor leagues were built up, and showing how the Whiz Kids tended to hang around for a while. I’m young enough that I know some of these names from going through a baseball encyclopedia or seeing them on a Hall of Fame list, so it was fun to see some of the actual person behind the names and numbers.

I grew up in Kansas City and have long benefit of the oils, so I was able to connect to the story of the Whiz Kids, especially as I look back on the Royals 2014 and 2015 World Series runs. It’s always engaging to see how history repeats itself, or at least rhymes, as the saying goes.

Enjoyable book, particularly for those who have an interest in mid-century baseball.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even at 72 years of age, I am too young to have remembered most of the Whiz Kids, with the notable exceptions of Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts. I learned a lot by reading this book, but I personally did not find it inclusive enough for all baseball fans or even for all Phillies' fans. I enjoyed reading it and I think it's worth spending a day or two reading it, especially during the off season, but it is not a great book.

[Gregory Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dennis Snelling wrote a fantastic book on the team that helped shape many Phillies fans. You not only get a great overlook on the team but on the organization as a whole, both good and bad. it's a fantastic literary snap shot into the past and if you had any older relatives as I did who would often reminisce about the 1950 Phillies, it's very much a worthwhile read and a great deep dive. Excellent for all baseball fans!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dennis has written a nice, concise, and meticulously researched history of not only the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, but brings in the history of baseball in the City of Brotherly Love. The book brings in the backgrounds of the players as well as the story of the magical season. Dennis doesn't end in 1950 but tells of the years that followed and the post Phillies playing careers of the Whiz Kids as well as the years following their playing days.