A comeback for the ages — and the need for another one

Being down two games to none in the NLDS, our Phillies are in need of a comeback. And while you’ve no doubt heard of the epic collapse of the 1964 Phillies and Gene Mauck, you may not have heard the full story of our 1950 Whiz Kids.

Seventy-five years ago, the 1950 Phillies with an average age of twenty-six (one of the youngest teams in MLB history along with 2025 Miami Marlins) went on a magical run that the franchise had seen only once before since 1883.

The 1950 Phillies finished the season with an impressive record of 91–63 including a mark of 43–34 at home. The season began with an impressive “City Series” where the Philadelphia Athletics and the Phillies traded wins — the Athletics winning 7–4 in Game 1 and the Phillies winning Game 2 by a score of 11–2. The first game even needed to be cancelled due to uncharacteristic flurries and cold weather in April.

The 1950 Phillies not only had youth, but a roster full of talent. Legendary pitchers Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons and Jim Konstanty, outfielders Del Ennis and Richie Ashburn, and shortstop Granny Hamner. They were managed by Eddie Sawyer.

But the Whiz Kids had to withstand a near late-season collapse. Seemingly playing with a comfortable 7 1⁄2-game lead down the stretch, the 1950 Phillies would lose eight of their last ten games at the end of the season with just over ten days left. The result was a memorable matchup with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the last game of the season.

In order to win the 1950 NL pennant, the Phillies would have to beat the Dodgers. On just two days of rest, Phillies star pitcher Robin Roberts pitched a complete game against Brooklyn. In the bottom of the ninth inning tied at 1–1, legendary Phillies outfielder Richie Ashburn made an incredible play, throwing out a Brooklyn runner at the plate. Then in the tenth inning, Phillies first Baseman Dick Sisler crushed a three-run home run to give Philadelphia the 1950 NL pennant.

The 1950 Phillies wouldn’t end up winning the World Series. They would lose to the New York Yankees in four games. What the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies would accomplish was a late-season comeback that culminated with a thrilling 4–1 win in extra innings win to give Philadelphia’s oldest continuous baseball franchise still in operation today only its second NL pennant win in 67 years of existence to that point. 

The 2025 Phils will need some of that luck tomorrow night in Los Angeles.

Michael Thomas Leibrandt lives and works in Abington Township, Pa.