Steve Carlton and the 1972 Phillies
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In stock
About the Book
In 1972, the Philadelphia Phillies experienced one of their worst seasons in franchise history, finishing with an abysmal 59–97 record. Yet throughout this disastrous season, Steve “Lefty” Carlton proved to be a diamond in the rough. In his first year with the club, he led the league with 27 wins, eight shutouts, and a sizzling 1.98 ERA, earning an astounding 45.8 percent of Philadelphia’s wins. He also won his first Cy Young award, the first pitcher to do so with a last-place team. This work chronicles Carlton’s magical season, including the Rick Wise-for-Carlton trade, his 5-1 start following the players’ first-ever strike, his 15-game winning streak, and a number of memorable games along the way. Interviews with Phillies icons, Hall of Famers, and legendary sports writers add insights to this account of Carlton’s remarkable achievements amidst one of the most calamitous periods in Phillies history.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Bruce Morgan
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 228
Bibliographic Info: 18 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6836-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8983-1
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Preface 1
1. Jaw Dropping Numbers 3
2. The Trade 13
3. Hope Springs Eternal 20
4. Lefty’s Striking Start 26
5. Catching the Fever 44
6. Tailspin Takes Over 51
7. Carlton Slumps 62
8. Desperate Times 71
9. Protecting His Teammates 86
10. Finishing What He Started 103
11. The New Manager 112
12. The Streak Marches On 134
13. Lum Breaks It Up 154
14. A Wise Encounter 169
Conclusion: How Does ’72 Rank? 177
Chapter Notes 183
Bibliography 197
Index 215
Book Reviews & Awards
“Baseball fans will appreciate the detail with which the story of Carlton’s 1972 season is told”—Reference & Research Book News; “This is something that has been missing from the baseball landscape…a great book on Steve Carlton. Congrats to Bruce Morgan for pitching a gem.”—Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com.
