Philadelphia's Top Fifty Baseball Players

Rich Westcott is the author of twenty-two other books, many of which are about Philadelphia sports, including The Phillies Encyclopedia, Philadelphia’s Old Ballparks, Tales from the Phillies Dugout, and A Century of Philadelphia Sports. He is a past president of the Philadelphia Sports Writers’ Association and is a member of three Halls of Fame. Dallas Green managed the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1980 World Series championship.

• Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Part 1. The Pioneers, Pre-1900 Sam Thompson: Baseball's First Home Run Slugger Ed Delahanty: Hitter with Few Equals Billy Hamilton: Master of the Base Paths Harry Davis: Four Straight Home Run Titles Nap Lajoie: Phillies and Athletics Superstar Rube Waddell: Loony but a Brilliant Pitcher Roy Thomas: Lead-Off Hitter Who Ranks with the Best Part 2. Last of the Deadball Standouts, 1900-1910 Eddie Plank: Baseball's First Great Left-Handed Pitcher Chief Bender: Pitcher Who Overcame Two Kinds of Opponents Sherry Magee: Exceptional Player with a Hot Temper Eddie Collins: Best Second Baseman Ever to Play the Game Frank Baker: "Home Run" Lived Up to His Nickname Gavvy Cravath: King of the Deadball Home Run Hitters Stuffy McInnis: Master with the Bat and the Glove Louis Santop: First Great Negro League Catcher Part 3. Stars of Three Leagues, 1911-1920 Grover Cleveland Alexander: Collector of Some Incredible Records Cy Williams: One of the Foremost Power Hitters of His Era Jimmy Dykes: Hometown Favorite and a Great All-Around Player Judy Johnson: An Early Negro League Superstar Biz Mackey: One of Baseball's Greatest Catchers Part 4. Hall of Famers Dominate, 1921-1930 Bing Miller: Best of All the Millers Al Simmons: Stepping into the Bucket Was Not a Problem Mickey Cochrane: First of the Major League's Best Catchers Jimmie Foxx: Second Batter to Hit Five Hundred Home Runs Lefty Grove: Spectacular Southpaw Won Three Hundred Games Chuck Klein: Big Bomber of Baker Bowl Pinky Whitney: It Helps to Live near a Ballpark Part 5. Mostly Whiz Kids and Native Sons, 1931-1950 Bucky Walters: His Switch to Pitching Paid Off Bob Johnson: Vastly Underrated Star Mickey Vernon: Two-Time Batting Champ and Superb Fielder Granny Hamner: Fiery Captain of the Whiz Kids Del Ennis: Local Guy and Superior Slugger Richie Ashburn: An All-Time Philly Favorite Roy Campanella: If Only He'd Stayed Home Robin Roberts: One of Baseball's Greatest Pitchers Part 6. Everyone's an All-Star, 1951-1970 Jim Bunning: His Perfect Game Made History Tony Taylor: Top Second Baseman and Fan Favorite Dick Allen: Spectacular Hitter with Awesome Power Steve Carlton: Second-Winningest Lefty of All Time Tug McGraw: Unforgettable Closer and Colorful Personality Reggie Jackson: Mr. October Was a Left-Handed Powerhouse Larry Bowa: Perfect for the Position Greg Luzinski: The Bull Could Bash the Ball Part 7. Greats of the Modern Era, 1971-2012 Garry Maddox: The Secretary of Defense Mike Schmidt: The Phillies' Greatest Player Mike Piazza: No Catcher Was Ever Better with the Bat Bobby Abreu: His Sweet Swing Led to High Batting Averages Jimmy Rollins: Shortstop Who Does Everything Well Chase Utley: Working Hard to Be the Best Ryan Howard: One of the Game's Best Power Hitters Sources

"This compilation of Philadelphia baseball legends takes me back to my childhood with idols like Schmidt, Carlton, and Bowa. Even my father's teammates-Bunning, Allen, and Taylor-and some of the game's greats reminiscent of Roberts and Whitey and Ennis. It also includes our current stars like Rollins, Utley, and Howard. It is a great grouping of athletes that traverses time and eras here in Philly. An enjoyable read for all fans, especially those looking for a trip down memory lane."-Ruben Amaro Jr., senior vice president and general manager of the Phillies -- Ruben Amaro Jr. "Philadelphia has always been a great baseball city that has produced its share of stars. When the time came to discuss and debate the fifty top players produced here, the area's best baseball historian and writer, Rich Westcott, does not disappoint. His latest work will induce fun baseball conversation about those who made the list and those who missed it."-Chris Wheeler, longtime broadcaster for the Phillies -- Chris Wheeler "Rich Westcott's latest historic survey of Philadelphia baseball provides an in-depth look at the greatest players with links to our talent-rich area. It brings to life names like Chief Bender, Chuck Klein, and Jimmie Foxx and reminds us why modern-day players like Mike Schmidt, Mike Piazza, and Dick Allen were such incredible stars."-Bob Brookover, baseball columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer -- Bob Brookover "The University of Nebraska Press has produced this book most attractively, a fitting tribute to the genuine joy baseball fans will find in savoring the stories of Philadelphia's Top 50 Baseball Players. Read this fine book with pleasure-and happy memories!"-Dr. McKim, Baseball Almanac -- Dr. McKim Baseball Almanac "If you love Philadelphia baseball ... this volume will give you enjoyment... You are likely to learn a little something whenever you pick it up."-Larry Eichel, Philly.com -- Larry Eichel Philly.com "Any baseball fan would love this book. Let the debating begin."-Town Talk newspapers Town Talk newspapers