Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Robin Roberts, Kirk Gibson, Brad Van Pelt, Steve Garvey, Mark Mulder, Herb Washington, Ron Perranoski, Mike Marshall, Dick Radatz, Hobie Landrith, Jack Kralick, Tom Yewcic, Tim Birtsas, Dean Look, Rick Kreuger, Tim Crabtree, Rick Miller, Larry Pashnick, Dick Billings, Ron Pruitt, Ed Hobaugh. Excerpt:item Position(s) Linebacker : Jersey #(s) 10, 91 item Born: April 5, 1951(1951-04-05) Owosso, Michigan , USA item Died: February 17, 2009 (aged 57) Harrison, Michigan , USA item Career information item Year(s) : 1973 1986 item NFL Draft : 1973 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40 item College : Michigan State item Professional teams item item Career stats item Sacks : 24.5 item Interceptions : 20 item Games played: 184 item Stats at NFL.com item Career highlights and awards item item College Football Hall of Fame Brad Alan Van Pelt (April 5, 1951 February 17, 2009) was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League . A two-time All-American (1971, 1972) and the 1972 Maxwell Award winner as college football's best player, he was drafted by the New York Giants , earning five Pro Bowl selections at linebacker between 1976 to 1980 during his ten years with the team. He rounded out his career with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984 to 1985, and the Cleveland Browns in 1986. Van Pelt is the father of former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt . Early years Van Pelt attended Owosso High School which was a member of the Big Nine Conference in Flint, Michigan . Dean Howe covered high school sports for the Flint Journal and recalled an incident involving Van Pelt: "He was like a man among boys. He was about 6-5, 220. One night, his coach from Owosso called in and said he got 32 rebounds in a game. I didn't put that in the paper. I didn'... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

very good condition
The product was in very good condition, as stated by the seller.I did not read the book because I gave it to my nephew as a birthday gift.

A GREAT BIOGRAPHY
ROBIN ROBERTS DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING US ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CAREEER IN BASEBALL. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS (THERE ARE MANY) ARE: 1950 WHIZ KIDS, RELATIONSHIPS WITH EDDIE SAWYER, INVOLVMENT IN THE PLAYERS UNION AND FINALLY HIS JOB LATER IN LIFE AS A STOCK INVESTOR. HE HAS MANY INTERESTING AND FUNNY STORIES. IT IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS THAT IS HARD TO PUT DOWN. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR BASEBALL AND EXPECIALLY PHILLIE FANS WHO REMEMBER THIS GREAT PITCHER.

Robin Roberts--Gentleman and Hall of Fame Phillies Pitcher
I read-read-read baseball books.This is one of the best.Ranks right behind Roger Kahn's "Boys of Summer" and David Halberstams "October 1964".This includes an excellent description of how the players became organized into a union and the reasons why.

A True Phillie
Robin Roberts was a great pitcher, arguably the greatest right-handed pitcher ever for the Philadelphia Phillies.In 1950, the Philadelphia Phillies won the pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers.The Phillies went on to lose in four straight to the New York Yankees in the World Series.Although they had a nucleus of very good, young ballplayers (Roberts, Richie Asburn, Curt Simmons, Granny Hamner, etc), they never seriously contended again.
Roberts fills you in on every painful detail of the Phillies demise.
As a life-long Phillies fan, but one born after Roberts career had ended it was good to read about his insights.I suggest that those who never saw Roberts play read this book. Roberts is very even-handed.Complimenting others and admitting his mistakes.
He discusses the failings of baseball in general and the Phillies in specific, but still keeps it light.He laments the Phillies reluctance to sign black players - missing out on Roy Campenella as well as others.He recalls his involvement in the Player's Union.He let's the reader know how the players were not treated fairly, but now it is the fan who is not treated fairly.
This book is a good easy read.Very close to a 5 star rating, but just not enough juicy and/or unique information.

Good Hot StoveAction!


To fully appreciate "My Life in Baseball", it would help if the reader knows what the "Hot Stove League" is.(The phrase refers to fans amusing themselves in the cold winter by talking baseball, looking forward to Spring Training- and presumably staying warm around the hot stove in a rural general store.)MLBB is set mostly in Major League Baseball's golden era, from 1946-1960 when BB was comprised of the original 16 teams and St. Louis and Kansas City were the western outposts.Robin Roberts played from 1948-1966 but his most productive years were in the early to mid 1950s with the Phillies. The author has an encyclopedic recall of old games, former teammates, managers, coaches, front office staff and opponents. His musings on individuals are more absorbing than the play by play in games of long ago. This reviewer was more taken with Roberts' less productive years in the early to mid 60s as he struggled to hold on with the Orioles, Cubs and Astros.The reader follows with admiration as Roberts invents a life for himself outside of Major League Baseball. He was highly instrumental in the formation of the Major League Players Association, though he disagrees with some of the actions that organization has taken. MLBB is an intelligent sports biography by a thoughtful and serious athlete. Roberts attained success on and off the playing field but had his struggles as well. He tells it like it is and, as another reviewer noted, does not use MLBB to settles old grudges. If one is over 50, or a die-hard Phillie fan of any age, MLBB is a safe choice. One dig at the author: How did he not know that Sal "The Barber' Maglie of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers didn't shave on days he was scheduled to pitch? (It made him more intimidating to the batters!)Every school kid in New York City knew that one! Those who fondly remember Sal will enjoy MLBB.
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Product Description
The 1950 Phillies unexpectedly captured the hearts and imaginations of Philadelphians. A young upstart team—in fact, the youngest major league baseball team ever fielded—they capped a Cinderella season by winning the pennant from the heavily favored Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field on the last day of the season. It was the first National League pennant for the team since 1915. With that dramatic victory the 1950 Phillies went into the history books, known forever as the Whiz Kids.

This inspiring era in Phillies history comes alive with the personal reflections of Robin Roberts, a Hall of Famer and arguably the best right-handed pitcher in Phillies history. Roberts recounts the moves, the trades, and the developments that put this young and talented team together. Co-author C. Paul Rogers III interviewed many of the other players from that memorable season, and even manager Eddie Sawyer. Their recollections, accompanied by more than 80 black-and-white photographs, offer an uncommon look at what went into building the extraordinary Whiz Kids. Rich with anecdotes never before published from players like Hall-of-Famer Richie Ashburn, Bubba Church, Andy Seminick, Curt Simmons, Del Ennis, Dick Sisler, Russ Meyer, and many others, this book relives the success of the Whiz Kids in all their glory.Amazon.com Review
Every generation or so, a team comes along whose march towardvictory is so improbable that you can't help but root them along. The1950 Philadelphia Phillies was that kind of team; young and spirited,the Whiz Kids played a raw, emotional brand of baseball, nipping theBrooklyn Dodgers on the final day of the season to bring the NationalLeague's perennial doormat its first title in 35 years. Hall-of-Famemember Robin Roberts, the team's ace starter, peppers hisrecollections with snippets of oral history from his teammates toproduce a book as lively as the team itself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

"Whiz Kids" is a terrific book for all Phillies and baseball fans
Robin Roberts and Paul Rodgers have written a terrific book that can be enjoyed by all Phillies and baseball fans.While the focus is on the 1950 Phillies, the authors have spent a fair amount of time (but not too much) explaining how dreadful the Phillies were in the decades leading up to 1950 and how the Phillies organization managed to change from the stodgy, cheap baseball club it had been to a forward thinking and nimble one that won the 1950 NL penant.

Robin Roberts' memory for detail is terrific and you very much feel like you are there, through the victories, defeats, fights (on the field) and down times for the young men of the team.Many other players are highlighted and I liked the fact that Roberts did not sugar coat the shameful way Jackie Robinson had been treated by the other players including, regretably, the Phillies.

Another enjoyable component of the book are many interviews, mostly done by Dean Rodgers, that are interesting and informative.The use of segments of these interviews throughout the book really confirms the accounts descibed in the book and helped to breath life into the players both on the field and off.

I liked the fairly extensive statisitical compilation at the end of the book and think that serious fans will find that very useful to better undertand the team.

As memories fade and those who actually remember the 1950 Whiz Kids walk off the field, this is an important book that preserves this moment of American-Philadelphia-Phillies history.It also happens to be a very enjoyable and worthwhile read.The Whiz Kids And the 1950 Pennant (Baseball In America)

Great Material for Phils fans
"The Whiz Kids" met my expectations.It is great material for Phillies fans.Having grown up hearing the names of Ennis, Ashburn, Konstanty, Roberts and the rest, I wanted to read a good account of the first Phils pennant since 1915.

The ever humble Roberts (with the help of a professional writer) recounts hisrise to the major leagues as well as the futile history of Phillies baseball.It's a nice, easy to read story that follows a tried formula: the team has a long history of losing, young players come aboard and develop into a close team, they exceed expectations and go to the World Series.There are plenty of scenes that flesh out the personalities and struggles of the team mates.Plenty of train trips and hotel stays.Tough game situations yeilding exciting victories or close defeats.Those looking for deep insights into the era should look elsewhere. In fact, I see this book aimed primarily at us Phils fans. Our banners are few, so we need to raise them high.These aren't Duke Snyder, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese and the other "Boys of Summer." The Phillies of this era had one great year surrounded by several decent years.Only a couple of the names stand out these years later.

I give the book four stars because it served its purpose for me.If you are looking for light reading material about a cinderalla team, this could be for you as well.

This Book Fills A Historical Void
Authors Paul Rogers and former Whiz Kid pitcher Robin Roberts have done a great job in bringing a memorable team back to life. Baseball books on teams usually involve New York teams and it is refreshing to read a book about a team that will always be remembered, not just by Phillies' fans, but by baseball fans across the country.Many of the names I came across in this book were merely pictures on baseball cards I started buying in the early '50's and this book provided me with some insight into their accomplishments on the ball diamond.There is a story behind each of those players' names I have in my mind, and the authors brought them to life in this book.If there was one drawback, if I may call it that, I found an excessive amount of play-by-play among the pages.However, I can live with that.The names of Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, and Richie Ashburn are household baseball names, but I was also happy to read about lesser lights like Bubba Church, Mike Goliat, and Stan Lopata who were only pictures on baseball cards to me.Phillies' fan or not, if you like baseball history, you will enjoy this book.

WHIZ KIDS A WINNER
This is a very well written account about a team that captured the hearts of an entire city. This is a great account of the surprising achievment of the 1950 Phillies. The excellent interviews of the players involved and the rehashing of the author is great. A very nostalgic and fact filled retelling of an exciting and fun filled year in baseball. A must read for all Phillie and historical baseball buffs.

Baseballs Wonderful" Whiz Kids" remembered
If you love baseball history-especially the immediate post-war years 1947-50 this gem of a remembrance is for you. Hall-of-famer Robin Roberts has combined with author Paul Rogers to relive those years whenbaseball,after a decline during WW2,regained its preeminance as America'snational game and with integration and night games,embarked upon a 25 yeargolden era that may never be duplicated in professional sports.UsingRoberts near photographic memory,oral history,and excellent research,authorRogers provides a rich fast-paced narrative that culminates with themiracle season of 1950 when a brash group of youngsters know as the WhizKids(Roberts,Richie Ashburn,Del Ennis,Granny Hamner,Curt Simmons,WillieJones,Mike Goliat,and Stan Lopata)combined with a few seasoned veterans(JimKonstanty,Andy Seminick,Dick Sisler,and Eddie Waitkus to stun the baseballworld by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers on the final day of the season inone of the most dramatic games in the history of baseball. The authorscover the development of the team from 1947 on and do not shy away from thecontroversies of the period such as the race-baiting of Jackie Robinsonduring his rookie year(the Phillies were prominently involved and it mayhave been a big factor in the firing of manager Ben Chapman)and the nearfatal shooting of Eddie Waitkus. While the authors admirably document thecontributions of every member of the team,skillfully pointing out thatevery member contributed something that won at least one game,two factsclearly emerge-without Jim Konstanty's record breaking performance as theseasons premier relief pitcher and the job of manager Eddie Sawyer therewas no way the Phillies would have one the pennant. In fact it is in someways the story of Eddie Sawyer(one of baseballs best kept secrets as agentleman and manager) that drives the narrative to its apex. Read the bookand see the unique approach to managing men that Sawyer brought to thegame,an approach that is at once so logical and appealing that it seemseasy until you try it. Baseball could use some Eddie Sawyers today. As amatter of fact,a few more Robin Roberts wouldn't hurt either. One hopesthat Roberts and Rogers will combine their talents and continue the Robertsstory after the 1950 season as the great right-hander was an eyewitness tothe momentous growth and change that occurred in baseball during his 18year career. This a truly outstanding addition to the library of anyone whovalues and loves baseball history. ... Read more