Greatest Philadelphia Phillies players of all time: 10 Legends of the sport
The Phillies have a long and storied history, dating back to their founding in 1883. Over the years, they have fielded some of the most talented players in the sport, cementing their place as one of the top franchises in baseball.
This article will highlight the top 10 players to don the Phillies’ jersey, their accomplishments and their importance in the team’s success. 1.
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt is widely regarded as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. During his career with the Phillies, he won three MVP awards, 10 Gold Gloves, and six Silver Sluggers.
He amassed an impressive 548 home runs, which differentiates him as the Phillies’ all-time home run leader, and a staggering 1,595 RBIs. Schmidt was instrumental in leading the Phillies to their first World Series win in 1980, winning the series MVP in the process. His defensive prowess was unmatched, contributing immensely to the team’s success.
The Phillies retired his uniform number 20 after he retired in 1989. 2.
Steve Carlton
Steve Carlton was known for his signature left-handed pitching and his sensational Cy Young Award-winning performance in 1980, leading the Phillies to their first-ever World Series victory. He won four Cy Young awards throughout his career, was an important member of two National League pennant-winning teams, and helped the Phillies win their first-ever World Series title in 1980.
His total of wins with the Phillies, 241, is second in Phillies history. 3.
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Considered one of the best pitchers of his generation, Grover Cleveland Alexander started and won the deciding game and recorded the final out for his second straight win as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 73 to win the 1926 World Series. Alexander’s 30 wins in 1915 allowed the Phillies to take their first Pennant in franchise history.
4. Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins was one of the most effective shortstops in the game, winning four Gold Gloves and the 2007 MVP.
He holds the record for most hits in a Phillies uniform with 2,306, stole 441 bases, scored 1,421 runs. He was also a member of the team that won the 2008 National League pennant and World Series championship.
5. Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976, was one of the best starting pitchers of his generation.
He played 14 seasons with the Phillies, finishing as the team’s all-time wins leaders with 234 victories. He was selected to seven All-Star games and led the league in wins (20) five times.
6. Richie Ashburn
Richie Ashburn was a great center fielder and a seven-time All-Star with the Phillies.
He was third in stolen bases in the 1950s with 234 steals and won the National League batting title with a .350 average in 1958. He was an excellent defender and finished his career with a .982 fielding percentage.
His uniform number 1 was retired by the Phillies. 7.
Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay was a pitcher who won two Cy Young Awards, was named to the All-Star team eight times and threw a perfect game in 2010, only the second in Phillies history. He is one of six pitchers in Major League Baseball history to win both the American and National League Cy Young Award.
8. Dick Allen
Dick Allen was the Phillies’ Rookie of the Year in 1964, hitting .318 with 29 home runs and 91 RBIs. He was with the team during the late 60s and early 70s and was the team’s best offensive player.
He remains one of the most celebrated Phillies players from the 1960s and 70s. The Phillies retired his uniform number 15.
9. Chase Utley
Chase Utley, during his 13-year stint with the Phillies, was one of the most productive second basemen in the league, finishing in the top ten in MVP voting six times.
He was a star in the 2008 playoffs, with 11 RBIs while hitting five home runs. He was instrumental in the Phillies’ 2009 and 2010 trips to the World Series, winning one of them.
10. Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard was one of the best power hitters of his time, hitting 382 home runs during his time with the Phillies.
He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2005 and was named the Most Valuable Player in 2006. He was also instrumental in the Phillies’ 2008 World Series win, hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs.
In conclusion, there have been many great Phillies players over the years, each contributing to the team’s success in their unique ways. Philadelphia has been privileged over the years to see some of the most talented athletes grace their team, and it is essential that we appreciate and honour the contributions of such greats.
None, however, can compare to the greatness of Mike Schmidt, who stands tall as the all-time greatest Phillies player in the history of the franchise.
3) Steve Carlton
Steve Carlton is one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history. He spent 15 seasons with the Phillies, from 1972 to 1986, and his dominance on the mound made him one of the key contributors to the Phillies’ 1980 World Series win.
In this section, we’ll delve into Carlton’s pitching domination and his contributions to the Phillies’ first World Series win.
Pitching Domination
Carlton was an elite pitcher in his time. From 1972 to 1986, he won the Cy Young Award four times and was selected to ten All-Star teams.
Carlton led the league in strikeouts five times, wins four times, and ERA twice during his career with the Phillies. His 329 career wins ranks him as the 11th winningest pitcher in Major League Baseball history, and his 4,136 strikeouts is fourth on the all-time list.
His lifetime ERA of 3.22 was outstanding, given the offensive era in which he pitched. Carlton’s 1972 season stands out as one of the best pitching seasons in Major League Baseball history.
He won 27 games, led the league in strikeouts with 310, and set a new franchise record for strikeouts in a season. That year, he was named the National League Cy Young Award winner, and he was the first player ever to win the award with a last-place team.
Contributions to the Phillies’ World Series win
In 1980, Carlton was again instrumental in the Phillies’ success. It was a season of many firsts for the Phillies, as they made their first playoff appearance in 26 years before going on to capture their first World Series championship in franchise history.
Carlton was the ace of the pitching staff, making 38 starts and pitching 304.0 innings on the season. He won 24 games, led the league in strikeouts, and had a 2.34 ERA, which contributed to his second Cy Young Award.
In the 1980 World Series, Carlton continued his dominance on the mound. He made two starts in the series, pitching 16 innings and allowing only two runs on seven hits.
He struck out 13 batters, recorded a 1.13 ERA, and was instrumental in helping the Phillies capture their first World Series championship.
Retirement of Number 32
Carlton’s contributions to the Phillies went beyond just his pitching. He was a leader on the team and a mentor to younger players.
After his retirement, the team retired his uniform number 32, in honour of his contributions to the team. He remains one of the most celebrated players in Phillies history, remembered for his dominant pitching, contributions to the 1980 World Series win, and for the positive impact he had on the team’s young players.
4) Grover Cleveland Alexander
Grover Cleveland Alexander is a name synonymous with pitching excellence. He spent his prime years with the Phillies, where he established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at his pitching workhorse ability and his impressive stats.
Pitching Workhorse
Alexander was a true workhorse on the mound, known for his ability to pitch deep into games. During his career, he completed an astonishing 437 games, including 90 shutouts, and amassed over 5,000 innings pitched.
He was a horse and could be counted on to carry his team deep into the game.
Impressive Stats
Alexander’s stats are nothing short of impressive. He is one of only three pitchers in Major League Baseball history to win the Triple Crown for pitchers three times.
He won the award for the first time with the Phillies in 1915, when he led the league in wins (31), strikeouts (241), and ERA (1.22). He captured the award again in 1916 and 1917, with even more impressive numbers.
In fact, his 1915 statistics are still considered one of the greatest single-season pitching performances in baseball history. Alexander’s career wins total of 373 is the third-most in Major League Baseball history.
He won 20 or more games in a season seven times during his career, including a remarkable 30 wins in 1915, when he led the Phillies to their first National League pennant in franchise history.
Conclusion
Grover Cleveland Alexander and Steve Carlton are two of the greatest pitchers in Phillies history. They were both dominant on the mound and were instrumental in leading their team to significant victories.
Alexander’s pitching workhorse ability and impressive stats made him one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, while Carlton’s pitching domination and contributions to the Phillies’ first World Series win are still celebrated today. Their contributions have made them legends in the sport, etching their names in Phillies history forever.
5) Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins was a standout player during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. Over his 14 seasons with the team, Rollins was known for his consistency and durability, both offensively and defensively.
He holds several records in Phillies history, and his leadership like his proficiency in plate appearances and RBIs were vital in leading the 2007 Phillies team to a division title. In this section, we will dive deeper into Rollins’ consistency, durability and leadership.
Consistency and Durability
Rollins was at the top of his game for many years, both offensively and defensively. He had a disciplined plate approach, which enabled him to rack up hits and score runs for the Phillies.
Over his career, he had 8,628 plate appearances, ranking him as second in Phillies history. He also ranks in the top five in almost every significant offensive category for the Phillies– Runs scored, total hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases.
He was also a great defensive player, winning the National League Gold Glove Award for shortstop four times during his career. He was a durable player, having recorded over 600 plate appearances in a season eight times during his career.
His consistency helped him earn the NL MVP award in 2007, and he was an integral part of the Phillies team that won the World Series in 2008.
Lead the 2007 Phillies team to a division title
Rollins’ leadership was a significant factor in the Phillies’ success in 2007. His consistency and plate approach helped set the tone for the team, which ultimately led them to win the National League East Division title.
In that season, Rollins was particularly dominant, hitting a career-high .296 and scoring 139 runs, making him the fourth player in baseball history to score that many runs in a season. But beyond his abilities on the field, Rollins was an inspiration to his teammates.
They looked up to him for his work ethic and leadership, which helped the team establish consistent levels of motivation and discipline necessary for the long grind of the season. His leadership earned him the distinction of being the longest-tenured captain in Phillies history.
6) Richie Ashburn
Richie Ashburn will forever hold an iconic place in Phillies history. He played 12 of his 15 seasons in the major leagues with Philadelphia, and his offensive and defensive excellence made him a fan favourite.
His discipline at the plate, putouts in the field, and base running skills were a testament to his skill set. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995, and his legacy lives on in Ashburn Alley, the ballpark’s signature attraction.
In this section, we will explore in detail Ashburn’s offensive and defensive excellence, as well as his career statistics.
Offensive and Defensive Excellence
Ashburn was known for his outstanding discipline at the plate. He was selective and patient, and he rarely swung at bad pitches.
During his career, Ashburn would walk more than he would strike out, leading the league in both categories in 1958. He was also a phenomenal defensive outfielder, winning the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 1958 and leading the league in putouts both in 1951 and 1956.
Furthermore, his quick base running and exceptional speed earned him 234 career stolen bases.
Career Stats
Ashburn’s career statistics are impressive. He amassed 2,574 hits in his career, and his lifetime batting average of .308 ranks him as one of the highest in Phillies history.
He was a five-time All-Star and was a top-10 National League MVP finisher in six separate seasons. He was known for his consistency, recording an impressive 200-hit season twice during his career.
He also finished in the top 10 of the National League in batting average eight times.
Conclusion
Jimmy Rollins and Richie Ashburn were two of the most talented and decorated players to play for the Phillies. Rollins was a leader who exemplified consistency and durability, helping to set the tone for the team’s success.
Ashburn was a defensive wizard and offensive powerhouse whose discipline and speed earned him a well-deserved spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both players have left an indelible mark on the Phillies organization, and their contributions to the team’s history will never be forgotten.
7) Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay, also known as Doc, was a beloved pitcher and one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. He achieved incredible feats during his time with the Phillies, including throwing a perfect game, a postseason no-hitter, and winning two Cy Young Awards.
He was respected, revered, and adored by Phillies fans, and his contributions to the team and the league have secured his legacy. In this section, we will explore in detail Halladay’s dominance in the league, as well as his beloved status in Philadelphia.
Dominance in the League
Halladay’s pitching stats were nothing short of impressive. Over his four seasons with the Phillies, he compiled a 55-29 record with a 3.25 ERA.
He pitched over 1,000 innings while striking out 2016 batters. Furthermore, he set a franchise record by pitching 67.2 consecutive innings without walking a batter.
In 2010, Halladay threw a perfect game, becoming the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to achieve the feat. Additionally, in the same year, he