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The 1964 Phillies: The Story of Baseball's Most Memorable Collapse |  | Author: John P. Rossi
Publisher: McFarland & Company
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $26.75
as of 9/9/2010 14:46 PDT details
You Save: $3.20 (11%)
New (11) Used (5) from $26.75
Seller: zmgreene85
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 682442
Media: Paperback
Pages: 196
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5
ISBN: 0786421177
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.357640974811
EAN: 9780786421176
ASIN: 0786421177
Publication Date: May 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In 1964, thousands of Philadelphia baseball fans were caught up in the Phillies unexpected run at the National League pennant. Nearly a decade of continuous defeat had earned them little more than the reputation for an unprecedented record of consecutive losses. But in that 64 season the Phillies shocked the baseball world, taking over the National League in midJuly and holding on to first place for 73 consecutive days. And then, as the teams first pennant in a generation seemed within reach, the Phillies collapsed in the greatest meltdown in baseball history. This account traces the rise and fall of that years Phillies team and attempts to disentangle the complex issues that ultimately cost them the pennant. The book sheds light on the influential 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 dramatic 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 specifically on the 1964 season and its critical moments, from Jim Bunnings perfect game and Johnny Callisons winning home run in the All-Star game, to Chico Ruizs steal of home that began the devastating 10-game losing streak at the end of the season. Final chapters analyze what went wrong during the season and discuss the Phillies position in baseball today. Three useful appendices provide the statistics for the games of the 64 season and for the individual players on the team, and detailed statistics for the 10-game losing streak.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
 Not much new here June 24, 2010
John F. Shuchart (Leawood, KS USA)
As an avid Cardinal fan at age 15 in 1964, I attended one of the biggest games in Cardinal history: game two of the Philadelphia series during the Phillie 10 game meltdown. There is no doubt in my mind that Manager Gene Mauch blew it. John Rossi tries to shift blame, and in fact praises Mauch for taking a bunch of overachievers to the almost promised land. My take is the opposite: Mauch got scared, panicked, and eliminated any chances the Phillies had to win the pennant.
Rossi does a nice job of rehashing the season, but there's not much new here, not much a fan didn't already know. I would have liked to have learned more about the clubhouse chatter during the collapse, but there is very little here. Most of what we learn we already new from newspaper accounts.
The book reads quickly and if you want to bring back some great memories (Cardinal fans) or nightmares (Phillie fans), this might be a good read. I think the book is extremely pricey. You might want to pick up a used copy!
Revisiting Painful Memories October 9, 2009
Brian Engelhardt
Professor Rossi chronicles the Phillies' 1964 in a readable, thorough manner. Going into the seasons leading up to the '64 events aids in the understanding of the team. The season is revisted more or less on a game by game basis where the commentary goes beyond just summary of box scores. Personalities are fleshed out; there is some strategic analysis, but Rossi doesn't offer himself as a baseball expert. Nor, in relating the events does he fall into the trap of taking his subject matter too seriously---these were indeed events of supreme gravity to Phillies fans, but this wasn't the Battle of Gettysburg. (However like Pickett's Charge at the end of that battle, the 10 game losing streak and depleted pitching staff with Bunning/Short etc. is waiting there at the end of the season after all the ingenious machinations exercised by Manager Mauch to get that 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play.)
It is an enjoyable must read for Phillies fans.
It is a fine read for all other baseball fans. And it is an appropriate read for those who enjoy tragic epics.
Fine job, Professor.
 1964 Phillies March 11, 2008
Carl R. Mahler (Chesapeake, Virginia)
Great Book, great service. What more can you say. I am completely satisfied with my purchase
 THE COLLAPSE OF ALL SPORTS BOOKS September 17, 2007
J J BAGS (MASSACHUSETTS USA)
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
Without question,John Rossi's book on the 1964 Phillies is the most inept attempt at sports literature that I've read in 59 years on planet earth.Not only does the author fail to convey the true feeling of the 1964 season,he fails time and again with the English language.Grammatical errors abound,factual data is constantly presented in repetitious banalities,much of the data is convoluted or simply erroneous,and the slipshod boxscores at book's end are simply unacceptable to all but those who still use crayons.Rossi was given an excellent topic and just simply wasn't up to it.Since I lost $30 and gained little or nothing in the process,just label me "Losing Pitcher Mulcahey-2006"
A very good book June 4, 2007
Bookworm
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you're a Phillies or MLB fan, then you should read this book. The book really starts about 1960 and what lead up to the 1964 season. It also talks about 1965 through the Curt Flood trade to the Phillies in 1969. As billed, the book talks a lot about segregation in Philly and Richie (later Dick) Allen. The book paints an entirely different pictures of Richie that what fans remember him as. I won't say the book made Richie a saint, but it minimizes his character flaws. Richie definitely walked to a different drum beat. The book paints an interesting picture of Gene Mauch and several times points out that he was a poor people person. I wonder if Gene would have as much success managing today as he did in the 60-80s.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
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