Top 10 Philadelphia Phillies Pitchers (1883 to present day 2009)

The Phillies have been blessed by some of the greatest pitchers to ever throw the ball. Names like Alexander, Bender, Roberts, Simmons, Carlton, Wise, Schilling, and Hamels. I will count down the top ten of the Phillies pitching greats.

E.R.A.+ was not used.

Stats are from these sites/ book: The Phillies Encyclopedia, MLB.com player search, baseball-reference.com, baseball-almanac.com

Honorable Mentions

Here are the honorable mentions not to make the top 10:

Steve Bedrosian: 1987 Cy Young winner, 103 saves (2nd all-time franchise in saves)

John Denny- 1983 CY Young winner (19-6 record)

Charles Bluffington- 77-50 from 1887-1889

Jim Konstanty - 51-39. Member of the Whiz Kids. First real reliever

Charlie Ferguson- 99-64 from 1884 to 1887, 8th all-time in the franchise in wins.

Ron Reed- 57-38 , 90 saves, 5th all-time franchise saves, E.R.A. of 3.06

10. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels makes this list at No. 10.

The Rundown: 4 seasons, active player with the Phillies

38-28 in 84 Regular Season Games
E.R.A. of 3.43 in 543.0 IP
518 K's 144 BB's
B.A. of .168 with 31 Hits in 184 AB's with 8 RBI
Major Awards: NLCS MVP, World Series MVP

Why he makes it: out of the majority of Phillies pitchers in franchise history, Cole Hamels has more wins than most of then combined. He is only 25 years old and with only three years in the bigs, expect great things out of Cole.

9. Tug McGraw

The Tugger. Clinched what would become the only World Series title in the Phillies franchise history until 2008.

The rundown: 9 seasons, status: non-active, deceased

49-37 (with the Phillies: 1975-1984)
491K's 186 BB's with the Phillies
E.R.A. of 3.10 with the Phillies
94 Saves

Why he makes the list: Tug McGraw with his trademark one-liner: "Ya Gotta Believe!" was cemented into Phillies history by becoming the first Phillies closer to clinch a World Series title. His numbers may not stick out but he deserves a spot due to his "legend" and legacy.

8. Rick Wise

Rick Wise. One of the only Phillies pitchers to ever hit 2 grand slams in one game.

The rundown: 7 seasons. Status: non-active

75 Wins- 76 Losses (with the Phillies) in 219 Regular Season games
717 K's 328 BB's with the Phillies
E.R.A. of 3.69 with the Phillies
121 Hits in 404 AB's: .299 AVG, 11HR's, 38 RBI with the Phillies

Why he is on the list: 75 wins with the Phillies. One of the few pitchers to have beaten every ball club in two seasons (1967, 1971). Tied with Larry Christenson for all time leader in home runs for a pitcher with the Phillies (11 Home Runs). Hit two home runs in a single game, both being grand slams. Threw a no-hitter on June 23rd 1971. Incredible offensive and pitch prowess.

7. Curt Schilling

The "Big Talker" himself, Curt Schilling

The Rundown: 7.5 seasons (traded to ARI mid 2000). Status: Active player, currently a free-agent

101-82 with the Phillies
1554 K's
E.R.A. of 3.35
4 Time All-Star
Win PCT of .564

Why he's on the list: sixth all-time in Phillies Franchise for wins, 20th for E.R.A., fourth in strikeouts, and a 4 time all-star. Future Hall of Famer.

6. Chris Short

Chris Short. Number six:

The Rundown: 12 seasons. Status: non-active, deceased
132-127 in 12 seasons with the Phillies
E.R.A. of 3.38
1,558 K's
Win PCT of .510

5. Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons a member of the "Whiz Kids", a bunch of young hard throwing aces.

The Rundown: 12.5 seasons, released 1960, signed by STL. Status: non-active, retired
115-110 in 12.5 seasons with the Phillies
E.R.A. of 4.90 with the Phillies
1052 K's with the Phillies
3 Time All-Star (1953, 1957, 1959)
Led the NL in shutouts, 1952
Win PCT of .511

Why he makes the list: Star Pitcher for Whiz Kids in 1950, missed World series to serve our Country during Korean conflict, a great career with the Phillies. Injures cut his career in Philadelphia short, and it was well known that Gene Mauch did not like Simmons. He is on the Phillies Wall of Fame out in center field at Citizens Bank Park.
Misc.: Suffered toe accident mowing the lawn

"Trying to throw a baseball by Hank Aaron is like trying to sneak the sunrise past a rooster." - Curt Simmons

4. Robin Roberts

Another "Whiz Kid", Robin Roberts

The Rundown: 13 Seasons with the Phillies. Status: non-active, retired

Bats: Right Throws: Right
234-199, Win Pct. of .540 (rounded to nearest hundredth)
1871 K's
5 Time All-Star (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955)

Why he's on the list: A Phillies Hall of Famer. Won 28 out of 37 games in 1952. A five time all-star, all with the Phillies. 234 wins ranks him 2nd all-time in franchise wins.

3. Jim Bunning

The Senator comes in at Number Three.

The Rundown: 5 seasons with the Phillies (1964-67, 1970-71). Status: non-active, United States Senator from Kentucky, retired

89-73, Win Pct. of .549 with the Phillies
E.R.A. of 3.25 with the Phillies
1197 K's with the Phillies
2 time All-Star with the Phillies (1964, 1966)

Why he's on the list: for starter he threw the only perfect game EVER to be thrown in a Phillies uniform on Father's Day of 1964. The wins don't stick out but, the strikeouts, the sub-4 E.R.A. and the All-Star appearances do. In Hall of Fame as a Phillie I believe as well..

2. Grover Cleveland

"Ole Pete", Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander arrives in at number two.

The Rundown: 8 season with the Phillies. Status: non-active, deceased.
190-91 as a Phillie. 99 games above .500
1,049 K's
E.R.A. of
Win PCT of .676

Why he's number two: part of that 1915 World Series roster. second: he won 30+ games three seasons in a row. He's won twenty games, six out of eight seasons with the Phillies. Nearly half of is career wins come from his years on the Phillies. One of the most dominant pitcher's of his time, but it's sad because he gets overshadowed by guys like Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and others.

1. Steve Carlton

Old "Lefty" himself, Steve Carlton comes in at number one.
The Rundown: 14 seasons with the Phillies. Status: non-active, retired
241-161 as a Phillie
3,031 K's
E.R.A. 3.09
Win PCT of .600
Major Awards: 4 Cy Young Awards (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982), 1 Gold Glove (1981)
Seven time All-Star (1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)

Why he's number one: dominant. E.R.A. OF 3.09, win PCT of .600, 3,031 K's, 241wins in 14 seasons with the Phillies. Hall of Famer. Four time Cy Young Award winner. One Gold Glove Award. Seven time All-Star. What more could you ask for?