This account traces the rise and fall of that year?s Phillies team and attempts to disentangle the complex issues that ultimately cost them the pennant. The book sheds light on the influential events of the fifties and sixties that rendered the team first futile and then undefeated, beginning with an exploration of Philadelphia itself and its team in the 1950s. Early chapters discuss the acquisition of a new manager (Gene Mauch) and the dramatic additions of a dynamic new pitcher (Jim Bunning) and the first great African American player produced by the farm system (Richie Allen). Following chapters focus specifically on the 1964 season and its critical moments, from Jim Bunning?s perfect game and Johnny Callison?s winning home run in the All-Star game, to Chico Ruiz?s steal of home that began the devastating 10-game losing streak at the end of the season. Final chapters analyze what went wrong during the season and discuss the Phillies? position in baseball today. Three useful appendices provide the statistics for the games of the ?64 season and for the individual players on the team, and detailed statistics for the 10-game losing streak.