Woe to the Phillies

1964 NL Pennant Race

Lou Brock. St Louis Cardinals

Two key acquisitions during the winter were the key to a reborn 1964 St Louis Cardinals team.  (HOF) Outfielder  Lou Brock came over from the Cubs in exchange for pitcher Ernie Broglio, and reliever 37-year-old Barney Shultz was found in the has been junkyard.  The Phillies looked like a shoo-in, 6 ½ games ahead with two weeks remaining in the season. No one was counting on them dropping 10 in a row opening up a frantic finish for four challengers. At season’s end the Phillies and Giants looked up to find the Cards, who were in fifth place in mid- August, on top. Brock, who had arrived in mid- June, batted .348 for the remainder of the season and Schultz, an August pick up, saved 9 games during the stretch run. The Reds tied the Phillies for second while playing the end of the season without manager Fred Hutchinson who stepped down due to terminal cancer. The rejuvenated Phils ran out of gas despite the fine seasons of outfielder Bobby Callison, rookie third baseman Dick Allen and pitcher Jim Bunning, who came over from Detroit  in a lopsided trade.

The Cardinal’s (93-69) roster was stacked. The Musial era had ended, but the newcomers put on quite a show. In addition to Brock’s Cardinal debut, .348 with 33 stolen bases, third baseman, MVP, Ken Boyer batted over .300 with a league leading 113 RBIs, first baseman Bill White hit .305  102 RBIs and outfielder Curt Flood batted .311. The pitching staff was solid, with Ray Sedecki winning 20, Bob Gibson 19, and Curt Simmons 16.

The Cincinnati Reds (92-70) had the offense with outfielders Frank Robinson, .306 BA, 29 home runs, 25 steals, and Vada Pinson, 23 home runs. Pete Rose batted .286. Future HOF first baseman Tony Perez was a September call up. However, the pitching was not consistent. Jim O’Toole won 17 and Jim Mahoney 15, but there was a big drop off after them.

The Phillies (92-70) shocked a disappointed fan base who witnessed the colossal season ending collapse. The addition of Rookie of the Year, third baseman Dick Allen, .318, 29 home runs made the improved season possible. Outfielder Bob Callison produced a fine year hitting 31 home runs and driving in 114,as did pitcher (HOF) Jim Bunning winning 19 games.