The 2018 Phillies’ Whiz Kids
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
By rebuilding with an emphasis on pitching, the red pinstripes have the arms for rotation slots and bullpen seats; they also have multiple players at every position except for third base. In other words, the top performers for those jobs will have the best shot, and some starters may find a roster slot with an important role in the relief corps, while others can be trade bait to fill a need or two.
Beginning in the mid-40s, the Phils signed bonus babies, and by 1949 they finished third but 16 games out with 81 victories. The top two franchises had 97 and 96 triumphs, respectively.
Age comparisons for 1949 to 2017:
- Catcher, 28: regular is 28, backup is 25 and AAA regular is 23.
- First Baseman, 29: regular is 25, backup is 27 and AAA regular is 24.
- Second Baseman, 27: regular is 27, AAA regular is 23 and AA regular is 23.
- Shortstop, 22: regular is 27 and AAA regular is 22.
- Third Baseman, 23: regular is 24.
- Left Fielder, 24: backup is 26 and AAA regular is 23.
- Center Fielder, 22: regular is 25 and AAA regular is 24.
- Right Fielder, 28: regular is 30 and AAA regular is 22
- 1950 Starting rotation in 1949: 22, 20, 23, 25 and 24.
- 2018 Starting rotation: 26, 25, 24 and 23.
- 2018 Fifth slot candidates: 23, 24 and 25.
Before the major leagues established the draft in 1965, the New York Yankees by being in the Big Apple basically had the first selection regarding prospects. Ergo, championships. After the draft, though, losing organizations could build a young core four, like the champs did for 1980 and 2008. However, earlier Phillies teams had just one star on the mound and another at the plate: Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn, aka Whitey.
In ’49, the Brooklyn Dodgers were first with 97 wins, and the St. Louis Cardinals had a second-place campaign with 96 victories. But before they finished behind those two, the 1948 Philadelphia Phillies were sixth with a 66-88 record.
IN OTHER WORDS: “Being optimistic is like a muscle that gets stronger with use. Makes it easier when the tough times arrive. You have to change the way you think in order to change the way you feel.” – Robin Roberts
By comparison, the 2016 Phils were fourth at 71-91, the Washington Nationals had 96 wins, and the New York Mets notched 87. However, Washington defers some contract money because their TV rights dispute with the Baltimore Orioles over territorial issues affects them dollar-wise, which means they have difficulty keeping deadline acquisitions and signing free agents. On the other hand, New York (NL) continues having fireballers with arm problems, and their medical staff – in my opinion – has communication issues because their business end doesn’t want to lose attendance revenue due to an injured star. Money talks.
In Roberts’ day, starters learned how to pitch, to set up hitters, and to rely on their defense. They paced themselves to go nine innings or more for complete games. Now, unfortunately, max-effort hurlers with elbow surgeries are commonplace. But while each projected member of the Mets’ five-man staff has been on the DL, the locals aside from Aaron Nola have been healthy: Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson, Nick Pivetta and Ben Lively. Meanwhile, Velasquez is becoming a pitcher.
As for the offense, Whitey Ashburn was the consummate leadoff man averaging .303 with a .372 OBP, and Del Ennis hit .311 with 31 homers and 126 RBIs. Willie “Puddin’ Head” Jones had 25 home runs and Andy Seminick had 24 long balls. Currently, Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco are the bats, but they’ll have company next summer. And – for an obvious reason – don’t forget Andres “Whitey” Blanco.
In the sports department, scribes will talk about their 2018 predictions in March, and some – like George – will pick the Phils because they’re the hometown nine. And while others will choose the favorites again, they will omnisciently state that the Nationals are the class of the division. But George will point out they’ll be without Jayson “J-Dub” Werth, a left-handed reliever and possibly a portside starter. And – the writer will add – New York (NL) will also be iffy.
After facing some top clubs early on, the red and white went 5-0 against the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins, but even against easier competition you can anticipate growing pains almost everywhere. And the hobbled Mets could end up in a four-team race for a distant second place and an above-.500 record. Perhaps, 82-80.
Next: The Phillies’ Decent Reality
After September 20, the 1950 Phillies with a 7.5-game lead collapsed due to injuries and misfortune and went 2-8 before capturing the pennant in the 10th inning of the final game. In other words, if the Phillies win it all in ’18, they will probably have to produce a victory in one contest to have a shot. At what? The Wild Card Game.