MLB Power Rankings: The 25 Greatest Pitchers in Philadelphia Phillies History

Pitching is a vital part of the game, and with this Phillies rotation we are expecting a few World Series championships.

With Cliff Lee going along with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, we are all expecting the greatest starting rotation of the decade, or even of our lives!

This has sparked a lot of historical comparisons, to the Braves of old and to others.  This got me thinking, "Who are the best pitchers in Phillies history?"  This slideshow is devoted to just that.  Covering three centuries (19th, 20th and 21st) of Phillies history, here are the top 25 pitchers of the franchise.

Two Things to Remember:

1. All stats are with team unless specified otherwise.

2. Some rankings had to be adjusted according to era.

25. Brad Lidge (2008-Present)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Brad Lidge #54 and Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after defeating the San Francisco Giants 4-2 in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, Ca

Granted that he didn't consistently pitch up to this standard over the last two years, he is still one of the best closers in Phillies history.  It is because of this and the fact that he has raised the blood pressure of anyone who watches him.

Stats:

Saves: 99 (and counting), fourth on the all-time list with Phillies

Perfect season in 2008 during WS season (41/41)

24. John Denny (1982-1985)

Denny was a Cy Young winner, and although his 1983 season seemed like more of a fluke, he was still a good pitcher.  He also delivered one of the best playoff starts in the team's history.  Denny had to be on this list because of his contributions in the postseason and because he was a Cy Young winner.

Stats:

Led NL in ERA in 1976 (2.52)

Cy Young winner in 1983 with Phillies

One of the best playoff performances in Phillies history in 1983 at Baltimore

23. Cole Hamels (2006-Present)

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 19: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 19, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Just

We all know about his previous successes, and now he is part of the Phils' historic rotation.  Hamels led the team to their 2008 World Series win, and he has been on the team his entire career.  He is still young, and if he stays with the Phillies he could break some records.

Stats:

66 wins on the Phillies and counting

2008 NLCS MVP

2008 WS MVP

Ace of the team until Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt came to town

Great playoff starts in the 2008 NLCS Game 1 and 2008 WS Game 1

22. Tug McGraw (1975-1984)

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 4: Manager Larry Bowa of the Philadelphia Phillies stands next to the jersey of former player Tug McGraw during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Veterans Stadium on April 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McGraw had s

He may not have had the saves that Lidge had, but he sure didn't make us Philly Phans sweat so much.  He is arguably the best reliever in Phils history, but his numbers just do not help his cause, that is why he is not in the top 20.

Stats:

94 Saves (fifth all-time)

3.10 ERA

49-37 Record

He provided the reliever that the Phillies needed in his time, and he was more efficient than Lidge, therefore he deserves a better position.

21. Erskine Mayer (1912-1918)

Mayer is a great pitcher, and a decent hitter, but his numbers other than his ERA are not quite up to par with some of these other guys, and that is why he is not in the top 20.  Mayer was certainly good, but I would not feel comfortable putting him any higher on the list.

Stats:

91-70 Record

2.96 ERA (seventh all-time)

.185 BA, which is pretty darn good for a pitcher

20. Earl Moore (1908-1913)

Moore's ERA and batting allowed him to make the list.  Being fifth all-time in ERA is very impressive, and he would have been cheated if he didn't make it on this list.  ERA is usually a good indicator of how good a pitcher is, since wins and losses can be skewed based on the pitcher's offensive support.

Stats:

2.63 ERA (fifth all-time)

67 wins

Decent hitting numbers

19. Roy Oswalt (2010-Present)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Roy Oswalt #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies adjusts his hat while playing against the San Francisco Giants in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

He's only played on the Phils for about half a season, but he has been an ace for the Astros, and in that half-season he was a monster.  Oswalt obviously has A LOT to prove, but since he was a Hall of Famer with the Astros and considering his numbers last season, and projecting how well he will do for them from now on, he deserves to make the list, even if he is our newest toy.

Stats:

7-1

1.74 ERA

1 SHO in 12 Games Started

Granted, he probably won't be able to keep that up, but it was still impressive.

18. Jim Bunning (1964-1968, 1970-1971)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game five of the 2008 MLB World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays on October

During his two stints in Philadelphia, Bunning proved a very useful pitcher.  Bunning had a great career, and he definitely deserved to be on this list.  Bunning might have been higher on the list, but he did not have one great characteristic, just two solid numbers.

Stats:

2.93 ERA (12th all-time)

89 wins (13th all-time)

224-184 in career

17. Mitch Williams (1991-1993)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 01: Former Phillies pitcher, Mitch Williams throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies during Game 1 of the NLDS Playoffs at Citizens Bank Ballpark on October

Williams had great numbers, and considering he was only with the Phils for three seasons, he recorded quite a few saves, and had a better ERA than the rest of the top three leaders in saves with Philly.

Stats:

102 Saves with Philly (third all-time)

3.11 ERA with team

192 Saves all-time

16. Ron Reed (1976-1983)

Reed might only be sixth in saves, but he also recorded 57 wins with the Phils, and was a pitcher who could start or relieve, which gives him this spot.  Sure he didn't start much with the Phillies, but he still deserves some credit switching from starter to a reliever/closer

Stats:

57 wins with Philly

146 total wins

90 Saves (sixth all-time)

102 total Saves

15. Tully Sparks (1903-1910)

Sparks was third in ERA with the club, and as previously mentioned, ERA is a big component of pitching.  Sparks pitched in an era of great pitchers, and because of this, his ERA did not give him a higher place on the list.

Stats:

2.48 ERA on Phils (third all-time)

95 wins

150 CG in 198 GS

If he had an offense he would have been one of the greats.

14. Jose Mesa (2001-2003, 2007)

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Jose Mesa of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Washington Nationals on September 29, 2007 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

He is not higher on the list because he had such a high ERA and WHIP, but his saves lead the franchise, and he needed to be high on the list.

Stats:

321 Saves in his career

112 Saves w/ Phillies (first all-time)

45 SV in 2002

4.05 ERA

13. Al Orth (1895-1901)

Orth started his career as a Philly, and he recorded 100 wins in his first seven seasons.  He was seventh all-time in wins, and he lasted through the entire game a lot more often than any pitcher today is allowed to.

Stats:

100 wins w/ team (seventh all-time)

3.49 ERA w/ team

149 CG in 173 GS

204 career wins

324 career CG

12. Curt Schilling (1992-2000)

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - APRIL 08: Curt Schilling #38 of the Boston Red Sox heads out on to the field to get his 2007 World Series Championship Ring before the game the Detroit Tigers on April 8,2008 during Opening Day at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo b

Sure he is known as a Red Sox and a Diamondback, but he was a great Philly.  Schilling played a big role in the 1993 playoffs in his second year on the team, and from then on he became one of the best pitchers of the time.  Fresh in our minds, he appears on this list at No. 12.

Stats:

101 wins w/ team (sixth all-time)

3.35 ERA w/ team

SHO in Game 5 of the 1993 WS

Allowed only 1 ER in 8 IP i 1993 NLCS Game 5 victory

11. Curt Simmons (1947-1950, 1951-1960)

Simmons was a winner, that's obvious when you look at his stats.  Simmons would have been higher, but his wins are really the only remarkable stats he has.

Stats:

115 wins w/ team (fifth all-time)

193 wins in career

262 games started, 109 complete games

10. Charlie Ferguson (1884-1887)

Ferguson was not only a pitcher, he played other positions before he pitched.  He only pitched four seasons with the Phils, and he was amazing.  Ferguson's pitching stats could have been spectacular if he pitched longer than four years.

Stats:

2.67 ERA with team (sixth-best all-time)

99 wins in four seasons

165 CG in 170 GS

.288 BA, .372 SLG

9. Steve Bedrosian (1986-1989)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - 1986: Steve Bedrosian #40 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers the pitch during the 1986 season MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

He didn't have the most saves, but his numbers besides total saves are the best, and he was a true star for the Phillies.  Bedrosian was known as a shut-down guy for the Phillies, and that's why he is in the top 10.

Stats:

103 Saves with the club (second all-time)

3.29 ERA

1.25 WHIP

8. Cliff Lee (2009, Present)

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 15: Pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies is introduced to the media during a press conference at Citizens Bank Park on December 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Sure he is one of the best pitchers in the league, but he's only been on the team for a year.  Sure he doesn't have the most wins or lowest ERA in team history, but he's only been on the team for a year.  Even though he only pitched for half a year on the team, he is still one of their greatest.

Accolades:

2009 NLDS Game 1 line: 9 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

2009 WS Game 1: 9 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K

A few fielding plays in the 2009 postseason that were just jaw-dropping if you saw them

7. Roy Halladay (2010-Present)

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (

In his first year with the Phils, Halladay's numbers and accolades were impressive.  If Halladay keeps this up (and this is based on projected stats, too), he could be one of their greats.  Halladay is also a Hall of Famer, which leads him to the No. 7 spot.

Stats:

2010 NL Cy Young

21-10 record

2.44 ERA

4 SHO

Perfect game against the Marlins in the regular season

Postseason no-hitter against the potent Reds in the NLDS Game 1

6. Frank Corridon (1904-1909)

Corridon had a great ERA, and he usually finished what he started, not completing his game in only 31 of 112 games.  Corridon was a great pitcher, which is why he is so high.

Stats:

2.61 ERA w/ Philadelphia (fourth all-time)

59 wins

81 CG in 112 GS

5. Chris Short (1959-1972)

Short had spectacular numbers in both wins and shutouts, which shows his dominance.  Short is one of those guys who dominated in two categories, which puts him in the top five.

Stats:

132 Wins with team (fourth all-time)

24 SHO with team (fourth all-time)

3.38 ERA

4. George McQuillan (1907-1910, 1915, 1916)

McQuillan was the only player in a Phillies uniform to maintain an ERA under 2.00, which catapults him into the No. 4 position since ERA is such a good indicator of a pitcher.  McQuillan pitched deep into games, and he shut down the opposition...two qualities of an elite pitcher.

Stats:

1.79 ERA with team (first all-time)

54 wins

72 CG in 103 GS

3. Robin Roberts (1948-1961)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 06: A jersey of Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts is seen in the dugout prior to the Phillies game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on May 6, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Roberts passe

Roberts' stats were astounding, and he was the greatest righty pitcher that the Phils ever had.  Roberts was one of the elite members of the Phillies, and is one of the most well-known Phillies pitcher.  Roberts deserves the three spot because he was so great, but his ERA is what held him back from being No. 1 or No. 2.

Stats:

234 wins with team (second all-time)

3.46 ERA

272 CG with team (first all-time)

35 SHO with team (first all-time)

2. Steve Carlton (1972-1986)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher of Baseball Hall of Famer Steve Carlton greets Jamie Moyer #50 of the Phillies after Carlton threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Four of the 2009 MLB World Series against the

Carlton led the Phillies in wins, and his numbers were all solid, but he is not the best.  I know that a lot of you out there will be thinking that Carlton had to be No. 1, but his numbers are second only to one.  Carlton was definitely in the top three, but he is No. 2...

Stats:

241 wins with team (first all-time)

39 SHO (second all-time)

185 CG (third all-time)

1. Grover Cleveland Alexander (1911-1917, 1930)

Grover Cleveland Alexander has possibly the most impressive stats of any pitcher on this list, AND he did it in much less time than the other elite pitchers.  Although it was a different era, Alexander's number are just jaw-dropping, and although it is very, VERY close, he is just ahead of Carlton.  His stats say it all, and these are why he is No. 1.

Stats:

190-91 record with team (third-most wins all-time)

2.18 ERA with team (second all-time)

61 SHO (first all-time) in 219 CG (second all-time)

1.07 WHIP

Yeah, he deserves No. 1 in my opinion, but any and all of the top three on this list have been called No. 1.