Herb Pennock

Herbert Jefferis Pennock (1894-1948) was a Hall of Fame pitcher for the dynastic 1920s New York Yankees. Considered one of the best left-handed pitchers in history, Pennock won 241 games on the mound, never lost in his five World Series starts, and came within four outs of pitching the first no-hitter in a World Series in 1927. More than just a great pitcher, Pennock was well-respected by teammates and locals alike. He was known as a principled, practical gentleman, with an intellect that matched his pitching skills and a humanity that bested both.
In Herb Pennock: Baseball's Faultless Pitcher, Keith Craigrecounts Pennock's ascent from well-to-do Kennett Square to the heights of major league baseball. Signed by the Philadelphia A's legendary Connie Mack as an 18-year-old school boy, Pennock would flourish into a dependable pitcher for the New York Yankees. He was part of the iconic Murderer's Row team and played a crucial role in their World Series victories. For 22 seasons, Pennock's forte was control, not power; he studied each hitter, every at bat, and exploited all weaknesses. When Pennock's playing career came to an end, he used that same single-minded diligence as the General Manager of the woeful Philadelphia Phillies, where he reinvented the team through the careful development of its farm system that resulted in the 1950 pennant-winning Whiz Kids.
Including interviews with Pennock's family members and Kennett Square residents who personally knew the baseball legend, Herb Pennock: Baseball's Faultless Pitcher is the first biography to paint such a complete picture of Pennock and the times he lived in. Featuring original photographs provided by his family, this book delivers an invaluable look into the life of a great ballplayer, savvy front-office executive, and honorable man.

Keith Craig is a freelance writer, formerly of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. He is the author of New Garden Township (2010) and has written for regional magazines such as Kennett Square Today, West Chester Today, and Newark Life, as well as the weekly newspaper of Chester County, Pa.

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Pennock's Preliminary Pitches
Chapter 2: Connie Mack's Opportunity and Mistake
Chapter 3: Blossoming in Beantown
Chapter 4: The First Yankees Year: From "Worst Trade Ever" to World Series Hero
Chapter 5: From Personal Loss to Peak of His Profession
Chapter 6: World Series Wins and a Waning Career
Chapter 7: Baseball Bon Voyage Back at Boston
Chapter 8: Carpenter's Call
Chapter 9: Fixing the Foundering Phillies
Chapter 10: 1946: Season of Surprise
Chapter 11: Robinson's Revolution and Pennock's "Protest"
Chapter 12: Prejudice, Pain, and Promise
Chapter 13: A Short Season, a Long Legacy
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author