Call to the pen
Fansided

The 2018 Phillies’ Whiz Kids

By Tal Venada

Apr 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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If 2018 Isn’t a Reach for the Phils, Herrera Will Be in the Middle of It. Photo by Eric Hartline – USA TODAY Sports.
If 2018 Isn’t a Reach for the Phils, Herrera Will Be in the Middle of It. Photo by Eric Hartline – USA TODAY Sports. /

Catching everybody by surprise except for the national sports editor who nicknamed them and picked them to win the 1950 pennant, the Philadelphia Phillies made their first World Series appearance in 35 years.

Whiz Kids 2.0:

If you explore history, you’ll find many examples repeated including not only past global events but also sports.

Long before most fans were alive, the Phillies were the National League champions in 1950. But keep in mind, older locals only have the stories, black-and-white film and their imagination to conjure up those days of yore.

While everybody noticed 1980 and 2008, they missed the vocalization of 1915 and 1950: Listeners on many occasions misunderstand the sound distinction between 15 and 50. Then, consider the 1983 and 1993 trips to the Fall Classic: Those unexpected adventures were a welcome addition to Phillies history. And, perhaps, the Phils could have the second half of a 2008 and 2018 in their future if the job winners at many positions excel to hold those spots.

According to the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, a national sports editor initiated the Whiz Kids moniker. Yes, Harry Grayson from the Newspaper Enterprise Association picked the Phillies to win the Senior Circuit and dubbed them with their famous nickname. And even though he covered all 16 teams, he had his headquarters at a rental place in Clearwater.

While the clubs and players were different, Grayson sitting behind home plate quizzed scouts about many regulars, like he did that day. Pea nuts, pea nuts here! How ’bout Carpenter finally dropping the Blue Jays moniker? Bang! Yeah, go Whitey! He’s heading for third; he’s in there!

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:     “After fifteen years of facing them (pitchers) you don’t really get over them. They’re devious. They’re the only players in the game allowed to cheat. They throw illegal pitches and they sneak foreign substances on the ball. They can inflict pain whenever they wish. And, they’re the only ones on the diamond who have high ground. That’s symbolic. You know what they tell you in a war – ‘take the high ground first.'” – Whitey Ashburn"

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