1950: when Philadelphia's Whiz Kids won the N.L. pennant; memories still rich for those who brought Phillies their first National League title in 35 years - Turn Back The Clock

Baseball Digest, Nov, 2002 by Joe O'Loughlin

"IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN THESE old woolly buggers!" shouted Whiz Kid Bob Miller to the alumni of that famed Phillies team as they pulled on authentic jerseys from that era. The occasion, which took place at Veterans Stadium, was the fifty-year reunion in 2000 to honor the squad that won the pennant in '50. Catcher Andy Seminick seconded Miller's notion by saying, "I'm 80 years old but this makes me feel young again. Getting together brings back a lot of good memories."

And the fondest memory was probably of that October 1 Sunday when the Whiz Kids, as they were affectionately known by their fans, clinched the National League flag on the season's final day by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1. "I remember that last out in Ebbets Field. I've never been so relieved before or since. We fought so hard and when it finally happened it was a great relief," said Robin Roberts with a wide smile even now five decades later.

And the Hall of Fame hurler is entitled to that feeling of elation since he was such a big part in helping the Phillies to their first title since 1915. His gutsy ten-inning pitching performance in that deciding game still stands out in Phillies' lore. "I've thanked him privately a thousand times and I'll thank him again publicly for all he did for us," stated fellow moundsman Bubba Church in his soft, Southern tones.

As the returning players reminisced that summer evening they recalled not only the glory of that special season but also the camaraderie. "You have to remember it was a different time back then. You'd often travel seven or eight hours on a train together. And a trip to St. Louis could take up to 28 hours. You definitely grew closer as a team," Seminick observed. "I'm not so sure you have that camaraderie today," he added.

And the Whiz Kids also remembered teammates now departed. "It's great being back with the guys," Miller pointed out. "But I wish they all could be here," he said wistfully.

In attendance were pitchers Roberts, Miller, Church, Curt Simmons, Steve Ridzik and Paul Stuffel, catchers Seminick and Stan Lopata, reserves Putsy Caballero and Jack Mayo along with coach Maje McDonnell.

"Dick Sisler had been in bad shape the last several years before he passed away (1998) and when Whitey (Richie Ashburn) died (1997) that was a total shock," said Roberts.

And that aforementioned pair played pivotal roles in helping nail down that ever-elusive N.L. banner. With the Phils' once nine-game lead (with 15 left to play) whittled to one game Roberts (20-11, 3.02 ERA) took on Brooklyn ace Don Newcombe (19-11) in the crucial game.

With the score tied, 1-1, workhorse Roberts, making his fourth start in nine games due to the decimation of the Phils' pitching staff, walked leadoff batter, Cal Abrams. Pee Wee Reese singled to put runners on first and second. Duke Snider hit a line drive single to center field. Ashburn came up firing to catcher Lopata who tagged Abrams out.

"But that play still stands out more than 50 years later. Year after year, it gets bigger and bigger," Lopata recalled. Then he put things into perspective by adding, "It was really a plain, ordinary play. That's how we played ball in those days, very fundamentally."

The play at the plate staved off disaster, but only temporarily. Brooklyn runners were now on first and second with only one out. Three dangerous Dodgers were still due to hit. Roberts walked Jackie Robinson to load the bases in order to set up a force. Carl Furillo then hit a foul pop up to first baseman Eddie Waitkus for the second out before Gil Hodges flew out to Del Ennis in right for the final out. It would take extra innings to determine the pennant winner.

Roberts proved to have a bit of Roy Hobbs in him as well as a flair for the dramatic when he led off the tenth with a hit. "A lot of people forget that I began that inning with a single. I could always seem to get the bat on the ball," Roberts noted with an impish grin. Waitkus then singled to put runners on first and second before Ashburn bunted into a force play for the first out.

That brought up Sisler (13 Hr, 83 RBI, .296 avg.) who belted a three run homer. "I knew what I had to do in the tenth," said Roberts. "But I wasn't sure if that was going to be enough!" It turned out to be plenty as he retired Roy Campanella and pinch-hitters Jimmy Russell and Tommy Brown to give the City of Brotherly Love its first pennant in 35 years.

Earlier in the year no one would have thought that the race would come down to the final contest of the season. Feeding on their strong third place finish in '49, the Phils were the surprise of the National League in 1950. The perennial losers were being transformed in many ways.

The team dumped the never popular nickname, Blue Jays, for the snappy handle of the Whiz Kids. "We were the youngest team (average age 26) to ever play in the World Series," Caballero proudly stated. Besides their moribund moniker the club also ditched their duds exchanging their lackluster livery of their losing past for sharp white flannels with red pinstripes and trim.