1950 "Whiz Kids" team. The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)

[tedzan]

In 1950, as an 11-year old kid, I recall these colorful pictures in the Sunday editions of the Philadelphia Inquirer during the month of September.
This team set comprises of 24 cards.....and, a complete set of them in Ex (or better) condition goes for approx. $500 - 700.
Depicted here, are the two key players on the team. Richie Ashburn was one of the greatest lead-off batters to play the game. Del Ennis was one
of the best Clutch-Hitters during that era.

I'll never forget the last day at Ebbets Field when Dick Sisler (son of George Sisler) hit a tenth-inning, 3-run home run against the Dodgers to win
the National League pennant for the "Whiz Kids".





Hey you Phillies fans on this forum, are you getting excited about the Phils getting into the post-season this year ?

My wife, Charlotte, is an ardent Phillies fan, and she is quite excited this season.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[nooner10]

As a Phillies fan, I'm hoping for meaningful baseball in September. I just hope the bullpen can stop giving up runs.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Eric72]

They seem to have gone from a middling .500 club to a playoff contender. Yes, I'm excited.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by nooner10

As a Phillies fan, I'm hoping for meaningful baseball in September. I just hope the bullpen can stop giving up runs.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Hi Steve

Thanx for posting your 1950 BOWMAN card of Dick Sisler. It brings back very fond memories from my youth.
Furthermore, at age 9, I had this strange predilection for Baseball cards with Light Towers depicted on them.





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[mrreality68]

NOT A FAN

Love the History

[bgar3]

Ted, I love the Ashburn reference, he is the only modern player I collect.
Here is a photo of Sisler’s home run. Ashburn was on first and can be seen running to second.
He also threw out Cal Abrahms at the plate to save the game.

[skelly423]

Here's the starting lineup, with their closer and best 2 starters, from that magical 1950 season

[molenick]

I love the cards and Ted's posts, and I don't want to make this into one of those argumentative threads, but wouldn't the Braves and Cubs be considered longer continuous franchises, having been charter NL teams in 1876? And if you count the NA, wouldn't the Braves (as the Red Stockings) be the longest running team?

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by bgar3

Ted, I love the Ashburn reference, he is the only modern player I collect.
Here is a photo of Sisler’s home run. Ashburn was on first and can be seen running to second.
He also threw out Cal Abrahms at the plate to save the game.

Hi bgar3

Thanks for posting the photos.

Here is my photo of Richie "doing his thing" by placing down a drag-bunt. It was a guaranteed hit, since he was the fastest guy getting to 1st base.....exactly 3.0 seconds.

When I had Richie autograph this photo, I asked him if he was the fastest guy in the Major's getting to 1st base ? And, like the fine gentleman, which he was, he said NO !
He replied......
"At the beginning of every season, the Sports media would time him and Mickey Mantle (batting Left-handed). Both of them ran to 1st base in exactly 3.0 seconds, each."





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Originally Posted by molenick

I love the cards and Ted's posts, and I don't want to make this into one of those argumentative threads, but wouldn't the Braves and Cubs be considered longer continuous franchises, having been charter NL teams in 1876? And if you count the NA, wouldn't the Braves (as the Red Stockings) be the longest running team?

Michael

I didn't have enough space in the title of this thread to qualify...."The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)."

What I mean by this, is that no other team in Major League history has it's franchise NAME the same (e.g. PHILLIES) as long as the Philadelphia Phillies have (138 years).


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[molenick]

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

[OldOriole]

Originally Posted by molenick

I love the cards and Ted's posts, and I don't want to make this into one of those argumentative threads, but wouldn't the Braves and Cubs be considered longer continuous franchises, having been charter NL teams in 1876? And if you count the NA, wouldn't the Braves (as the Red Stockings) be the longest running team?

Michael,

Just a quick follow up, as I also do not want to hijack any threads. I believe you are correct - the Braves and Cubs go back to 1876 (1871 for the Braves if counting the NA). St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati were all established in 1882 (according to baseball-reference). Now, interestingly, Ted's point is valid that the Phillies are the oldest (tied with Cincinnati) if you consider the same city and team name (no changes) through their history:

Philadelphia Phillies - since 1890 (were previously called the Quakers)
Cincinnati Reds - since 1890 (were called the Red Stockings, Redlegs)
Pittsburgh Pirates - since 1891 (were called the Alleghenys)
St. Louis Cardinals - since 1900 (were called the Browns, Perfectos)
Chicago Cubs - since 1903 (were called the Orphans, Colts, White Stockings)
Atlanta Braves - since 1966 (moved from Milwaukee and Boston before that)

[molenick]

Great info, thanks. I would post another card, but Ennis is the only Whiz Kid I have!

[bgar3]

Nice photo Ted. All my bunting photos are black and whites.

[jingram058]

Here is a nice team photo of the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, The Whiz Kids. Kind of like the 1951 Giants and the 1959 White Sox, probably as popular or perhaps even more so than the team that won the Series.

[phlflyer1]

Loved growing up with Richie as a broadcaster. Wish I was old enough to see him as a player as he was my dads favorite.

One of my favorite moments with Ashburn as a broadcaster was during a game (can't remember the particular year) where the Phils pitchers were so bad that he remarked to his partner Harry Kalas that "the pitching coach is making so many trips to the mound that they're going to have to issue him frequent flyer miles"!

[oldphil]

Only 2 Whiz Kids here but I thought you Phillies fans might enjoy this photo.

[ALR-bishop]

[tedzan]

Continuing with the Ace pitchers of the 1950 Whiz Kids, we have Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons. What has always puzzled me
about this set is that Jim Konstanty is not featured in it. As many of you old Phillies fans remember Konstanty was a tremendous
Relief pitcher. Jim pitched in an amazing 74 games that season. His W - L record was 16 - 7. And, he led the NL with 22 Saves.


September 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[bgar3]

Ted, I do not know the answer to why Konstanty was not included, but I think he appeared in full color as the cover illustration on one of the issues about this time. Perhaps that was considered his appearance.

[ALR-bishop]

Konstanty is one of the Crown Jewels of the Topps 1951 Current All Stars set and one of the toughest Topps cards

[Peter_Spaeth]

Roberts did not need Konstanty at least during his astonishing streak in 1952 and 53 when he pitched 28 consecutive complete games.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Konstanty is one of the Crown Jewels of the Topps 1951 Current All Stars set and one of the toughest Topps cards

Hi Al

This is true....but, so is the Robin Roberts card in the Topps 1951 Current All Stars set as scarce as the Konstanty card.

But of course, Roberts is in the 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set.

Konstanty's performance in the 1950 season was outstanding. The Phillies would not have won the the NL Pennant without him.
So, I reiterate......it remains a mystery as to why Jim Konstanty was not featured in the 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set ? ?


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[egri]

Could it have been a licensing issue?

[Darner]

Here's Konstanty from the cover of the Inquirer's Sunday magazine, "Today" which published the other cut-out cards. Also some of my Whiz Kids pennants. If you look closely, they misspelled Konstanty as "Konstany" on the roster pennant.

[whiteymet]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Hi Al

This is true....but, so is the Robin Roberts card in the Topps 1951 Current All Stars set as scarce as the Konstanty card.

But of course, Roberts is in the 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set.

Konstanty's performance in the 1950 season was outstanding. The Phillies would not have won the the NL Pennant without him.
So, I reiterate......it remains a mystery as to why Jim Konstanty was not featured in the 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set ? ?


TED Z

T206 Reference
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Ted:

Ed beat me to it, but Konstanty was included in the set, Well, not really. He was on the front cover of the first Inquirer Today Magazine that included the smaller photos you started this thread with. It was dated September 17, 1950 and this issue had Simmons, Heintzelman, Church, Silvestri, Ennis Waitkus, Meyer and Goliat. You can see the entire cover below.

If you want the rest of checklist as issued in the next three issues I would be glad to supply it as I have all four issues in the complete Magazine.

As for Ashburn bunting, I once had a conversation with Roberts about the Sisler homerun. He had gotten a hit earlier in the inning and Ashburn was up to bunt he and Waitkus over but Ashburn's bunt was bad and Robby was thrown out at third. I tried to kid him about Whitey laying down a bad bunt, but Robbie didn't bite and diss his friend, Saying Ashburn was the best bunter he ever saw.

[whiteymet]

Ed:

On the Phillies pennant you reference where they spelled Konstanty's name wrong there is something else on there I always wondered about.

It has Earnshaw 18 on it as well. This is George Earnshaw a coach. However I can find no reference to Earnshaw being a coach for the 1950 Phillies team

He was not included in any of the other '50 Phillies sets, some of which contained coaches. I THINK I checked the '50 Phillies yearbook and he wasn't listed in there or the World Series program either.

Baseball Reference does show him being a coach for the entire season, but as noted I could find nothing for him as coaching for the team in 1950.

I had heard rumblings he and Manager Eddie Sawyer did not get along so perhaps he was banished because of that. He was to be the pitching coach, but it seems Cy Perkins was listed as the pitching coach.

[oldjudge]

The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)

Really? What about the Cubs (est. 1876)? The Braves were also established in 1876 although they have moved locations a few times.

[bgar3]

Thanks Ed and Fred, that is the cover I referenced. I wasn’t sure if that one contained the images inside, glad to hear it does.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)

Really? What about the Cubs (est. 1876)? The Braves were also established in 1876 although they have moved locations a few times.

Good Points.

The Art of History

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)

Really? What about the Cubs (est. 1876)? The Braves were also established in 1876 although they have moved locations a few times.

POST #10

Originally Posted by tedzan

Michael

I didn't have enough space in the title of this thread to qualify...."The Phillies are the longest continuous franchise (est. 1883)."

What I meant by this, is that no other team in Major League history has it's franchise NAME the same (e.g. PHILLIES), as long as the Philadelphia Phillies have for 138 years.
.

Hey Jay

I am repeating here what I have already stated in Post # 10.

Sometimes it's worth reading thru a thread before you criticize me.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

For those of you who are interested in history.....

Philadelphia Phillies....they were originally named the "Quakers". The nickname "Phillies" first appeared in the
Philadelphia Inquirer in their April 3rd 1883 edition, and within a few years Phillies became their official name.

Cincinnati Reds.....since 1890 were called the Red Stockings, Reds, then Redlegs (1953), back to Reds (1961).

Chicago Cubs....since 1876 were called the White Stockings, Colts (1890), "Cubs" 1902, (officially Cubs 1907).


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Darner

Here's Konstanty from the cover of the Inquirer's Sunday magazine, "Today" which published the other cut-out cards. Also some of my Whiz Kids pennants. If you look closely, they misspelled Konstanty as "Konstany" on the roster pennant.

Originally Posted by whiteymet

Ted:

Ed beat me to it, but Konstanty was included in the set, Well, not really. He was on the front cover of the first Inquirer Today Magazine that included the smaller photos you started this thread with. It was dated September 17, 1950 and this issue had Simmons, Heintzelman, Church, Silvestri, Ennis Waitkus, Meyer and Goliat. You can see the entire cover below.

If you want the rest of checklist as issued in the next three issues I would be glad to supply it as I have all four issues in the complete Magazine.

As for Ashburn bunting, I once had a conversation with Roberts about the Sisler homerun. He had gotten a hit earlier in the inning and Ashburn was up to bunt he and Waitkus over but Ashburn's bunt was bad and Robby was thrown out at third. I tried to kid him about Whitey laying down a bad bunt, but Robbie didn't bite and diss his friend, Saying Ashburn was the best bunter he ever saw.

Ed and Fred,

Thanks for solving the missing Konstanty mystery. I've wondered for many years why he wasn't included in my 24-card Whiz Kids set.

You guys are fantastic.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[phlflyer1]

Here's to Ed and Fred for putting a "lid" on Ted's Konstanty mystery.

[molenick]

No more cards to post but here is my copy of the Jim Konstanty book from the Barnes MVP series.

[jingram058]

1950 Fightin' Phillies

[BobC]

Hunt just had 8 of those Philly Inquirer cut-outs in their auction ending tonight, Lot #1142. You don't see these come up for sale very often either.

[tedzan]

Here are two more 1950 "Whiz Kids" from my 24-card set.....Willie "Puddin Head" Jones and Dick Sisler.

"Puddin Head" Jones had a good year in 1950, scoring 100 Runs, hitting 25 HR's, and drove in 88 RBI's.

Dick Sisler batted .296 with 83 RBI's and 13 HR's. Number 13 was the lucky HR which won the Pennant
for the Phillies on the last day of the season at Ebbets Field in the 10th inning.

September 1950 Philadelphia Inquirer team set




TED Z

T206 Reference
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[19802008Phillies]

A nice group of full pages...

[molenick]

Here's another book. This used to be considered a tougher one from the Putnam team history series (although I guess there are only a handful of books now that would be considered tough). Anyway, it's copyright 1953, so it is of the era.

[molenick]

I've been looking for this for three years and finally found it during a basement clean-up. I knew I had a personally autographed Jim Konstanty postcard because I remember my Dad taking me to his sporting goods store in Oneonta, NY either on the way to or coming back from Cooperstown. Not in a Phillies uniform but I'm adding it to this thread nonetheless. He ran the store until 1973. I always read it as "Best Mishes".

[GaryPassamonte]

Originally Posted by molenick

I've been looking for this for three years and finally found it during a basement clean-up. I knew I had a personally autographed Jim Konstanty postcard because I remember my Dad taking me to his sporting goods store in Oneonta, NY either on the way to or coming back from Cooperstown. Not in a Phillies uniform but I'm adding it to this thread nonetheless. He ran the store until 1973. I always read it as "Best Mishes".

Michael- Jim Konstanty was born about 40 miles from Mount Morris NY, where I live. Eddie Sawyer lived in Mount Morris in the off season. He went to Ithaca College and married a Mount Morris girl. He is buried here. Quite a "Whiz Kid" connection for a small town.

[jingram058]

Some of the best threads ever were started by Ted Z. This is one of them.

[Balticfox]

And in any American professional sport!

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The Phillies have won eight NL pennants and two World Series titles (1980 and 2008) and are the oldest continuously run, single-name, single-city franchise in American professional sports.

But here in Canada the Toronto Argonauts date back to 1873!

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Founded in 1873, the team (Argonauts) is the oldest existing professional sports team in North America still using its original name....

Notice the 150 jersey patch!

[PhillyFan1883]

1894 Phillies team issued schedule. HOF outfield Hamilton, Delahanty, Thompson all hit above 400. Phils still couldn’t win dick. So is being a Phil’s fans. Dad forever broken from the 1964 Phold.. 2 for 141 is not good….

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by PhillyFan1883

1894 Phillies team issued schedule. HOF outfield Hamilton, Delahanty, Thompson all hit above 400. Phils still couldn’t win dick. So is being a Phil’s fans. Dad forever broken from the 1964 Phold.. 2 for 141 is not good….

Look on the bright side. The Phillies have a somewhat decent team these days and they play their home games at a fairly nice-looking ballpark.

When I was in my late teens, they pulled off six straight losing seasons and played at Veterans Stadium.


ETA: the 1894 team wasn't that bad. They finished 71-57. Of course, this meant they were in fourth place, eighteen games out of first.

[Eric72]

Speaking of memorable Phillies seasons, how about 1942...

42 wins
109 losses
.278 winning percentage

62 1/2 games out of first

The funny thing (to me, at least) is that they had more losses in 1941. By at least one metric, their 1942 season was an improvement over the prior year.

[PhillyFan1883]

Yes they are decent to good now and will ruin Harper's prime by not properly managing the team. We have a prototypical power hitter leading off its a joke.


How about 2 winnings seasons from 1918- 1949 including 1932 which they were 2 games above 500.. No wonder my great grand parents were so bitter about baseball. Always wished the Athletics carried on in Philly so I could follow a winner. lol.