Phinally!: The Phillies, the Royals and the 1980 Baseball Season That Almost Wasn’t

A lot happened in baseball in 1980. After being stabbed with a penknife in Mexico during spring training, the Indians’ “Super Joe” Charboneau captured Cleveland’s heart-and Rookie of the Year. Nolan Ryan became baseball’s first Million Dollar Man, and Billy Ball revived Oakland’s fading franchise. Bad guys Bill “Mad Dog” Madlock and Dave “Kong” Kingman terrorized fellow players, umpires and sportswriters. The Phillies and Expos battled up to the season’s final weekend while the Dodgers and Astros needed a one-game playoff to decide their division. In the American League, Kansas City’s George Brett posted the highest single-season batting average since 1941 and Reggie Jackson was twice confronted by gun-waving youths. In October, Brett led the Royals past the Yankees and into the Series, where he battled Mike Schmidt’s Phillies in the Fall Classic. This book covers it all-the bean balls, bench-clearing brawls, the return of Darth Vader and the launch of CNN.

Reviews of Phinally!: The Phillies, the Royals and the 1980 Baseball Season That Almost Wasn’t

"Great teams in baseball are never really forgotten, but this book brings one of them to life. There are memories on these pages that will remind you just how great this team was, bringing back the joy and smiles of an era and a team we've sadly overlooked. These Phillies were, perhaps, the first great modern team, built through both the draft, trades, and free agency. Daniel has weaved together a reminder and a lesson worth reading."–Will Carroll, author of The Juice; "Daniel does a masterful job of bringing back all the fun and drama of the 1980 season, along with insight into the men who made it memorable. Well written and entertaining, this is a great read for any baseball fan."–Doug Wilson, author of The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych; "1980s baseball is the next wave of baseball research and writing. Jon Daniel's Phinally! is a fun look back at the teams and players that made that year, and the decade to come, such a joy for baseball fans."–Jeff Katz, author, Split Season: 1981–Fernandomania, the Bronx Zoo and the Strike that Saved Baseball; "Phinally! brings back fond memories of a special season. A must for anyone's bucket list of reading."–Larry Shenk, vice president of public relations, Phillies, 1964-2007; "Phinally! is a must read for fans, Gen-X'ers, and those nostalgic for the era of polyester uniforms, This Week In Baseball, and astroturf."–Bijan Bayne, author, Elgin Baylor: The Man Who Changed Basketball; "J. Daniel pulls off some baseball time travel in Phinally!, adeptly guiding readers through the beanball fights, salary squabbles, and the truly epic hardball moments of an amazing season."–Joe Cox, author of The Immaculate Inning: Unassisted Triple Plays, 40/40 Seasons, and the Stories Behind Baseball's Rarest Feats; "Phinally! covers the 80s like the infield tarp!"–Jerry Reuss; "In Phinally! The Phillies, the Royals and the 1980 Baseball Season That Almost Wasn't, J. Daniel makes me glad the season was–and that he wrote a book about it. A fun season and a fun read."–Chris Lamb, author, Jackie Robinson: A Spiritual Biography; "A meticulously researched and totally engrossing book about the 1980 baseball season. J. Daniel covers it all–the teams, the pennant races, the complete cast of characters, the big games, the brawls, the triumphs and tragedies–right down to the final strike. A great read for both longtime baseball fans and newer fans interested in the history of the game."–Bill Gutman, author of The Giants Win the Pennant! The Giants Win the Pennant!.