Philadelphia's Top Fifty Baseball Players

Philadelphia’s Top Fifty Baseball Players takes a look at the greatest players in Philadelphia baseball history from the earliest days in 1830 through the Negro Leagues and into the modern era. Their ranks include batting champions, home run kings, Most Valuable Players, Cy Young Award winners, and Hall of Famers—from Ed Delahanty, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Roy Campanella, Mike Schmidt, and Ryan Howard to Negro League stars Judy Johnson and Biz Mackey and other Philadelphia standouts such as Richie Ashburn, Dick Allen, Chuck Klein, Eddie Collins, and Reggie Jackson. For each player the book highlights memorable incidents and accomplishments and, above all, his place in Philadelphia’s rich baseball tradition.

“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, “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, “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, "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, "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

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.