New Book Offers Fresh Look At The Phillies
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - He may be retired, but longtime Phillies Media Relations czar Larry Shenk remains active as an author, chronicling events that have shaped the franchise.
His first book gave Phillies a look at what happens in the dugout, clubhouse and press box.
Now, Shenk is back with Fightin' Phillies: 100 Years of Philadelphia Baseball from the Whiz Kids to the Misfits, an eclectic hodge-podge of historic performances, profiles of legends and behind-the-scenes actors, and usefall bar-bet trivia.
"I found guys that played one game, one at-bat, a one inning pitch with the Phillies," he tells KYW Newsradio. "Never played again. I think there are 30 of those guys over the years."
A good chunk of Shenk's tidbits are the result of interviews he conducted in 1975 during a Whiz Kids reunion weekend.
"I'm listening to Dick Sisler talk about his home run, Jim Konstanty's great year, Robin Roberts game where he pitched 17 innings, which will never be done again," he says.
Shenk devotes an entire chapter to records he believes will never be broken:
"Art Mahaffey's 17 strikeout game still stands from 1961, Ryan Howard hit 58 home runs one year, that's never gonna be broken. Connie Ryan, six hits in six at bats. It's never been matched."