Philadelphia Phillies Past & Present

Book excerpt: The Philadelphia Phillies franchise has been providing thrills and chills for its faithful fanatics for more than 125 years---with the 2008 World Series victory providing the ultimate high for the team and its city. The Phillies have boasted great legends of the game, including sluggers like Chuck Klein, Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, and Ryan Howard; beloved characters like Tug McGraw, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk; and stellar hurlers from Pete Alexander to Robin Roberts to Steve Carlton to Cole Hamels. The team has left its fans alternately inspired and frustrated, while forever retaining their loyalty and passion through more than a century of baseball. Philadelphia Phillies Past & Present offers a richly illustrated tour of the players, managers, ballparks, and moments that have defined the Phillies of the past and of the present.