The Philadelphia Phillies

Writing Sports

by Stan Baumgartner, Frederick G. Lieb, William C. Kashatus (Foreword)

A facsimile edition of the 1953 history of the Philadelphia Phillies

Fred Lieb and Stan Baumgartner's history of the Philadelphia Phillies was originally published in 1953 as part of the celebrated series of major league team histories published by G. P. Putnam. With their colorful prose and delightful narratives, the Putnam books have been described as the Cadillac of the genre and have become prized collectibles for baseball readers and historians.

Together Lieb and Baumgartner chronicle the Phillies franchise's turbulent past--from its frustrating early decades, through its heartbreaking loss to the Boston Red Sox in the 1915 World Series, to its exciting "Whiz Kids" pennant of 1950. Phillies legends like Grover Cleveland Alexander, Chuck Klein, and Ed Delahanty fill these pages, and their colorful anecdotes are woven into the fabric of each season's story.

In addition to its comprehensive and intimate examination of the team's history, The Philadelphia Phillies addresses the challenge of rooting for an often-struggling home team in a city known for its passionate baseball fans. Lieb's devotion to his hometown Phillies and overall love of the game and Baumgartner's unique insight as a Philadelphia sportswriter and former player often lead to thoughtful advice and comfort for long-suffering Phillies fans. A trip through a rocky but remarkable past, The Philadelphia Phillies is another enjoyable addition to the Writing Sports Series.

Genres: Baseball

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jerome · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting history of the early years of the Phillies up to around 1950. The author was a child in the early days of Major League baseball, so you get a very unique perspective from someone who watched some of the old-time greats. The writing changes a bit, perhaps due to having two authors. Some years and periods get just a few pages while other years get long chapters, somewhat arbitrarily. It gets a little repetitive after a while due to the insistance of the author to cover the major events of every single year. Overall, though, it provides a very readable history of the Phillies - something that's hard to find since they were so bad for so long.

[Arthur Kyriazis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reprint edition of Lieb’s companion volume on Connie Mack. This volume covers the Phillies up thru 1953, and is excellent in details not covered in modern works or by anything but the most careful SABR bios.

The best Phils teams were the 1890s, the 1910s and the 1948-53 whiz kids era. The 1890s boasted Ed Delahanty, a HOFer who hit .400 and 4 HR in a game; and Nap Lajoie & Elmer Flick, also HOFers. But the Phils only finished as high as 3d in the 12 team NL, and after 1901, suffered mass defections to the new American League.

The Phils achieved the NL Pennant in 1915 with 30 game winner HOFer Grover Cleveland Alexander, and HOFer Eppa Rixey, and a very good team that could field & hit. Alas, they lost to Babe Ruth & tye Red Sox in the 1915 Series, and despite finishing 2d & 3d in 1916 & 1917, did not get back.

Alexander was drafted for WWI and the Phillies traded him to the Cubs. Rixey was soon also traded. This ended the Phillies as a contender for a very long time.

Then the Carpenter family bought them in the 1940s & rebuilt the farm system, resulting in the Whiz Kids pennant of 1950. Though swept by the Yanks, it was thought they’d get back.

The book finishes there. Of course, the Whiz Kids never got back, because they didnt integrate, and because of the Giants, Dodgers & Braves. But Robin Roberts was the greatest pitcher of the 1950s.

A fine book. The Phillies story is more interesting than people think. This book tells that story.

[Thomas Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a good read. Learned a ton about the Phillies from yesteryear.