Fightin' Phils: Oddities, Insights, and Untold Stories »

No doubt, loyal Phillies fans take pride in their knowledge of home team lore. They can probably name the Phils' only pitcher to throw a perfect game; tick off who was their last Rookie of the Year; and, of course, narrate how they won the 1950 pennant. But, then, so can most people who follow the game.

It's knowing all the other stories, many previously untold, that will set the true Phillies fanatic apart. Who would have guessed, for example, that, in 1946, a female scout was working full-time for the Phillies-a first in baseball. Now 95, she gives a fascinating interview about breaking that barrier. Other interviews with such players as Steve Carlton, Jimmy Rollins, Robin Roberts, and Mike Schmidt provide new details about their streaks and feats. Falling under the category of The Ones That Got Away are accounts of how the front office missed signing Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Carl Yastrzemski-which will make for some essential, if painful, reading. Stories of the Phils pitcher who later joined the CIA, the lefthanded catcher, and the game that lasted only 51 minutes offer but a taste of the book's richly entertaining and surprising oddities.

So pick up The Fightin' Phils, and get reacquainted with the team you thought you knew.

About the Author:
Rich Westcott is considered the foremost authority on Phillies history

Foreword   Harry Kalas     ix
Introduction     xi
A Remarkable Comeback     1
The Lady Was a Scout     11
16 Shutouts in One Season     22
If Only They'd Been Signed     30
Changes Launched a Hall of Fame Career     37
The Lefthanded Catcher     44
Rescue in the Rockies     51
The Birth of a Franchise     56
No-Hit Parade     67
Most Decorated Player     74
Intentional Beanball?     81
No Blue Jays in This Flock     88
The Making of a Slugger     93
Nine Innings in 51 Minutes     99
Durability Personified     105
The First African American Phillie     113
The Office Boy Who Became President     122
Now Pitching, The Beast     130
Philly Guys with the Phillies     138
Dream Job Lasts 44 Years     146
The Year the Hitters Went Wild     155
Winning for a Loser     162
The Hall of Fame Outfield     169
The Hardest Job in Baseball     176
From ERA to CIA     184
The 1950 Philadelphia Dodgers     191
FromPitcher to Basketball Great     198
A Cavalcade of First Basemen     205
The Baseball Evangelist     211
Inside the Clubhouse     218
An Early Woman Executive     226
Trading Away the Future     234
They Won Some, Too     241
Sources     249
Photo Credits     250