The 1964 Phillies

In 1964, thousands of Philadelphia baseball fans were caught up in the Phillies’ unexpected run at the National League pennant. After nearly a decade of continuous defeat, the Phillies shocked the baseball world, taking over the National League in mid–July and holding on to first place for 73 consecutive days. And then, as the team’s first pennant in a generation seemed within reach, the Phillies collapsed in the greatest meltdown in baseball history.
This account, newly revised, traces the 1964 Phillies’ rise and fall and attempts to disentangle the complex issues that ultimately cost them the pennant. It sheds light on the events of the fifties and sixties that rendered the team first futile and then undefeated, beginning with an exploration of Philadelphia itself and its team in the 1950s. Early chapters discuss the acquisition of a new manager (Gene Mauch) and the additions of a dynamic new pitcher (Jim Bunning) and the first great African American player produced by the farm system (Richie Allen). Following chapters focus on the 1964 season and its critical moments, from Jim Bunning’s perfect game and Johnny Callison’s winning home run in the All-Star game, to Chico Ruiz’s steal of home that began the devastating 10-game losing streak. Final chapters analyze what went wrong during the season and discuss the team’s position in baseball today. Three useful appendices provide game and player statistics, plus detailed statistics for the 10-game losing streak.

Philadelphia’s John P. Rossi, professor emeritus of history, LaSalle University, has written on baseball history for The International Journal of the History of Sport and The Phillies Report.

John P. Rossi
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 192
Bibliographic Info: 16 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9521-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5336-5
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1
1. Philadelphia in the 1950s 5
2. The End of the Whiz Kids 17
3. The Little General 34
4. A Phillies Surprise 51
5. A Long Hot Summer 79
6. The Blue Snow Melts 111
7. What Went Wrong 134
8. Where Are They Now 144
Appendix 1. The 1964 Phillies Statistics 153
Appendix 2. The 1964 Phillies Season 155
Appendix 3. The ­Ten-Game Collapse 165
Chapter Notes 175
Bibliography 179
Index 181