Full Description
The Cincinnati Reds are recognized as one of the great teams in baseball history. Left fielder George Foster, an integral part of the Reds' back-to-back 1975 and 1976 World Championships, has never received proper credit for his contribution to their legacy.
In 1977, Foster became the most feared slugger in the National League, batting .320, with 52 home runs and 149 runs batted in to win the NL MVP Award, establishing a new single-season home run record for the Reds' franchise that still stands. Yet Foster's big year was not enough to stem the emergence of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who roared out of the gate and ran away with the NL West Division pennant.
This book tells the story of Foster's record-setting season and puts his pre-steroid era achievements in their proper perspective. The author chronicles the subsequent decline of the Big Red Machine and the rest of Foster's big league career.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The 1976 World Series: A Subdued Celebration
2. Spring Training 1977: Human Nature and Hubris
3. April 1977: A Pair of Slow Starts
4. May 1977: Getting Untracked
5. June 1977: Gaining Momentum
6. July 1977: Spreading the Souvenirs Around
7. August 1977: "Doctor Foster's no imposter"
8. September-October 1977: Getting Over the Hump
9. Fall 1977 and Beyond: The Rest of the Story
Appendix A. Log of George Foster's 52-Home Run Season in 1977
Appendix B. Statistical Breakdown of the 52 Home Runs Hit by George Foster in 1977
Appendix C. George Foster's Career Home Runs in Perspective
Appendix D. Single-Season Home Run Leaders for Every Major League Franchise
Bibliography
Index
