Steve Carlton and the 1972 Phillies

Download or read book Steve Carlton and the 1972 Phillies written by Bruce Morgan and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2014-01-10 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1972, the Philadelphia Phillies experienced one of their worst seasons in franchise history, finishing with an abysmal 59–97 record. Yet throughout this disastrous season, Steve “Lefty” Carlton proved to be a diamond in the rough. In his first year with the club, he led the league with 27 wins, eight shutouts, and a sizzling 1.98 ERA, earning an astounding 45.8 percent of Philadelphia’s wins. He also won his first Cy Young award, the first pitcher to do so with a last-place team. This work chronicles Carlton’s magical season, including the Rick Wise-for-Carlton trade, his 5-1 start following the players’ first-ever strike, his 15-game winning streak, and a number of memorable games along the way. Interviews with Phillies icons, Hall of Famers, and legendary sports writers add insights to this account of Carlton’s remarkable achievements amidst one of the most calamitous periods in Phillies history.