Fred Hutchinson and the 1964 Cincinnati Reds

Fred Hutchinson, the popular manager of the Cincinnati Reds, was at the top of his profession when he was suddenly diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December 1963. This is the story of Fred Hutchinson and his players as they completed his inspirational final season. In 1964, the Reds battled themselves, their opponents and their emotions to mount a late winning streak which, coupled with the historic collapse of the Phillies, allowed the team to enter the final day with a chance to win the pennant for their stricken manager.

Ophthalmologist Doug Wilson lives in Columbus, Indiana.

Doug Wilson
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 226
Bibliographic Info: 39 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-5942-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-6195-0
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v

Preface      1

1. “He was the John Wayne of baseball”      5

2. Seattle      10

3. Detroit      22

4. Manager Hutch      31

5. Cincinnati      41

6. 1961      46

7. Charlie Hustle      58

8. “Dad’s home and he blew another one”      64

9. Patsy      75

10. Bill      79

11. January: “It’s Cancer”      85

12. March: Spring Training      93

13. April: Opening Day      109

14. May: Blind Ryne, Nuxie, Tootie and the Two Chicos      119

15. June: Pinson and Robinson      133

16. July: “It’s what he wants to do”      150

17. August: Leave of Absence      158

18. September: Nine in a Row      166

19. The Final Home Stand      178

Epilogue      189

Chapter Notes      197

Bibliography      213

Index      215

“Wilson gave the reader a real good look at the subject and while being a sad subject, turns it into an enjoyable experience for the reader. I would obviously recommend it to Reds fans, but all readers should check it out for the valuable history lesson contained within.”—Gregg’s Baseball Bookcase.