Philadelphia Phillies: The Best Player In Team History, Position By Position
Over the course of the past few seasons and offseasons, you've probably heard it said quite a few times: "It's a great time to be a Phillies fan."
While that indeed is the case, it got me to thinking—where do some of today's Phillies' stars rank among the greatest Phillies of all-time? How many Phillies could be called the greatest at their position in the history of this franchise? Are there any who could be called the greatest?
With so many options to consider, a few factors weighed heavily on these rankings. The overall success of a player's career was taken into consideration, but his career with the Phillies played an enormous part in these rankings. For example. if a player played three tremendous seasons in Philadelphia but excelled with another team for the majority of his career, he will be taken into consideration, but he will have a tough time overcoming a player who had a long, productive career in Philadelphia.
So who are the greatest Phillies, position by position, of all-time? Without further adieu, here are the greatest players to ever put on a Phillies' uniform at their respective positions.
Catcher: Bob Boone
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Since it's bound to be one of the most debated positions, what better place to start than behind the plate? Though the Phillies have never raised an "elite" backstop, average catchers that had productive careers with the Phillies are numerous. Some names, such as Andy Seminick, Darren Daulton, Carlos Ruiz and Mike Lieberthal, have found their names into Phillies' lore one way or another, but none could be called the greatest Phillies catcher of all-time.
That honor belongs to long-time Phillie and member of a notable baseball family, Bob Boone. He began his major league career in Philadelphia in 1972 and played with the Phillies for a total of 10 seasons before his contract was purchased by the California Angels in 1981.
For the Phillies, Boone posted a slash line of .259/.324/.365, with 65 home runs. With that being said, however, Boone was never known for his offense with the Phillies. It was his defense that made him a name in the city of Philadelphia. Like most of the team in the late-70s and early-80s, Boone played a hard-nosed defense that allowed him to make acrobatic catches, such as reaching over the dugout railing and falling in, and his infamous sliding, bobbling catch.
What separates him from some of the other catchers in recent Phillies' history is the fact that he was the member of a World Series championship team, in 1980, joining current Phillies catcher Ruiz as the only notable catchers with that honor.
Much like Ruiz will have to in 2011, Boone was faced with the task of handling top talent in Philadelphia's 1980 staff. Following anchor Steve Carlton, Boone handled other pitchers including Tug McGraw, Ron Reed, Dick Ruthven and Dickie Knoles.
The battle behind the plate was easily the closest, and Boone comes out on top by a slim margin.
Honorable Mention: Mike Lieberthal
First Base: Ryan Howard
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Ryan Howard may come across as an interesting selection, seeing as how he's had his fair share of trouble at the plate recently and one of the game's greatest players suited up for the Phillies—all-time hit king, Pete Rose. However, it wasn't all roses for Pete during his time in Philadelphia. In just five seasons, he posted some of the most unimpressive numbers of his illustrious career, and in about the same amount of time, Howard has built an impressive resume. To some, Rose will always be considered a Cincinnati Red.
Howard, 31, on the other hand, has been nothing but a Philadelphia Phillie for the entirety of his career. He made his debut in 2004, appearing in just 19 games, but impressing the fans all the same. The next season, Howard's incredible power would force the Phillies to trade their interim first baseman, future Hall of Fame candidate, Jim Thome, to make room for their new big slugger.
Over the course of his career, Howard has posted some impressive (and some not-so-impressive) numbers. He is the owner of a career slash line of .279 /.372 /.572, with 253 home runs (third place all-time for the Phillies) and 748 RBI (12th all-time in Phillies' history.) In 2006, en route to winning the National League MVP Award, Howard blasted 58 home runs—most ever in a single season for a Phillie.
Defensively, Howard has become something like a "work in progress." When he made his debut in 2004, he was notably heavier and slower at first base. Though his range has improved in recent years thanks to a new workout regimen and significant weight loss, he is still considered a poor defensive first baseman.
In just six full seasons, Howard has won numerous awards, including the National League Rookie of the Year Award (2005), Silver Slugger Award (2006), National League MVP (2006), National League Hank Aaron Award (2006) and was the National League Championship Series MVP (2009). He was named to the National League's All-Star team three times (2006, 2009 and 2010), led the National League in home runs twice (2006 and 2008) and in RBI three times (2006, 2008 and 2009). To put the cherry on top, he was a member of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Signed through 2017, Howard still has plenty of time to cement his legacy in Philadelphia.
Honorable Mention: Pete Rose
Second Base: Chase Utley
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Second base may be one position that wasn't really close. Ever since his debut in 2003, Chase Utley has taken the city of Philadelphia by storm. The lifetime Phillie is the owner of a career .293/.380/.514 slash line, to go along with 177 home runs and 650 RBI. Through the first eight seasons of his career, Utley has generated 44.3 Wins Above Replacement—a similar rate of collection to current Hall of Fame second basemen Joe Morgan and Roberto Alomar.
Defensively, Utley, 32, has seemingly flown under the radar. Over the first eight seasons of his career, Utley has never posted an Ultimate Zone Rating below 4.7 and has had a UZR in double digits five times. Though he has never been recognized for his defense with a Gold Glove, he was the recipient of the 2010 Fielding Bible Award for the league's top defensive second baseman.
Utley has been selected to represent the National League in the All-Star game at second base five times—every season since 2006. Over that same period of time, Utley has won the National League Silver Slugger Award at second base four times, from 2006-2009. To cap off a decade of dominance at second base, Sports Illustrated elected Utley to represent its MLB All-Decade team at second base.
Much like Howard before him, Utley has gas left in the tank and plenty of time to add to his credentials in Philadelphia.
Honorable Mention: Nap Lajoie
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Third Base: Mike Schmidt
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And then there was the greatest player to ever dress in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform, Mike Schmidt. The lore surrounding Schmidt in the city of Philadelphia is impressive, and hard to recall in a single slide. One moment that will never be forgotten is Schmidt's 500th home run, called by legendary Phillies' broadcaster and fellow Hall of Famer, Harry Kalas.
Over the course of his lengthy 18-year career with the Phillies, Schmidt posted an incredible slash line of .267 /.380 /.527, with 548 home runs and 1,595 RBI. In his career with the Phillies, Schmidt would go on to lead the franchise in a number of different offensive records, including hits, total bases, home runs, RBI, bases-on-balls and strikeouts.
Defensively, "Michael Jack Schmidt" was just as good. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive third baseman of all time, Schmidt's trophy case was filled to the brim with Gold Glove Awards, having won the award 10 times.
Schmidt's list of awards and honors is long. He was selected to appear in the All-Star Game for the National League at third base 12 times. He was recognized as the best hitting third baseman in the National League six times, awarded with the Silver Slugger Award. Schmidt was named the National League MVP three times—in 1980, 1981 and 1986. In that legendary 1980 season, he was also named the MVP of the World Series, helping the Phillies' to their first title. Finally, he was named to Major League Baseball's All-Century Team for his work at third base.
His number 20 is retired by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Honorable Mention: Scott Rolen
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins
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Shortstop is another weak position for the Philadelphia Phillies, historically. Prior to the 2000 season, the city had been plagued by weak, unproductive shortstops. With word floating around Philadelphia of a player who could develop into a top shortstop residing in their minor league system, anticipation began to mount. Jimmy Rollins made his debut for the Phillies in 2000, and has been the team's "spark plug" ever since.
Over the course of his 10-year career, Rollins has experienced his share of injuries. Even still, he has been incredibly productive for the Phillies. He is the owner of a .272 /.328 /.435 slash line, with 154 home runs and 343 stolen bases. Some highlights of impressive seasons include Rollins' 36-game hitting streak in 2005, the longest in franchise history, and logging 716 at-bats in 2007, the year he won the MVP Award.
Defensively, Rollins has been one of the most consistent shortstops in baseball. The only season in which he posted a negative Ultimate Zone Rating was in his debut 2000 season. He's been well above average since, taking home the National League Gold Glove three times, and was recognized as the best defensive shortstop in 2008, when he received the Fielding Bible Award.
Like the other players on this list, Rollins has collected some impressive hardware. He was selected to the National League All-Star team three times. In 2007, Rollins was recognized as the National League's top offensive shortstop, when he received the Silver Slugger Award, and later, the NL MVP. He holds the MLB record of most at-bats in a season and helped the Phillies clinch their second World Series title in 2008.
Honorable Mention: Larry Bowa
Left Field: Ed Delahanty
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Ed Delahanty was one of the greatest, most interesting hitters to ever play the game of baseball. In an era where today's generation of "five-tool" players were hard to come by, Delahanty showed that he could hit for average and power, run and play good defense. Even in death, "Big Ed" was an interesting man. After being thrown off of a train crossing Niagra Falls, Delahanty's career was cut short when he either fell or was pushed off of the International Bridge. That didn't stop the outfielder from acquiring the credentials to place him in the Hall of Fame.
Delahanty had his best years with the Phillies, playing for the club from 1891-1901. In his career with the Phillies, Delahanty posted a slash line of .357 /.424 /.526, with 86 home runs. He had some incredible seasons in Philadelphia, including three seasons where he batted over .400. He lead the league in batting average and home runs twice, RBI three times and stolen bases once.
To top things off, Delahanty was an excellent defensive player as well. He posted well above average fielding rating throughout his career, and with the Phillies, posted negative readings just twice. He was a player well before his time, and removed from the game just as soon.
Honorable Mention: Greg Luzinski
Center Field: Richie Ashburn
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It's hard to imagine someone who has an entire portion of Citizens Bank Park named after him not appearing on this list, but there is much more to Richie Ashburn than that. One of the greatest center fielders to ever play the game, Ashburn is a baseball legend in Philadelphia. "Whitey," as he was called, played all but three of his major league seasons with the Phillies, and after retiring from the game, joined legendary broadcaster and best friend, Harry Kalas, in the Phillies' booth. To this day, the radio broadcast booth is named after him—"The Richie "Whitey" Ashburn Broadcast Booth."
In 12 seasons with the Phillies, Ashburn posted a slash line of .312 /.395 /.389, with 199 stolen bases. Ashburn, who was known as a singles machine over the course of his career, has the most singles in a season by a Phillie (181) and has the most singles of any Phillies, ever (1,811.)
Ashburn was much more than a "Whiz Kid." He was a defensive whiz patrolling center field as well. Over the course of his career, his defensive metrics are off the chart, and he had below average defensive seasons just twice over the course of his entire career.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995, but has been a member of Phillies' lore for much longer. His No.1 was retired by the Phillies—one of just six numbers the Phillies have ever retired. The six-time All- Star is one of Philadelphia's greatest sports legends.
Honorable Mention: Billy Hamilton
Right Field: Chuck Klein
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We end taking a look at the greatest positional players in Phillies' history by taking a look at one of the greatest hitters of all-time, right fielder, Chuck Klein. Though he played with the Chicago Cubs as well, Klein spent most of his career in Philadelphia.
Offensively, there were few right fielders to ever play the game that were more productive than this man. Over the course of his career, he gathered a slash line of .320 /.379 /.520, with 300 home runs and 1,201 RBI. In 1932, Klein posted a line of .348 /.404 /.646, with 38 home runs, en route to winning the MVP Award. He's also a member of the select club of men who have hit four home runs in a single game.
Defensively, Klein was closer to the Ryan Howard end of the spectrum than the Richie Ashburn side. He was a quality outfielder who was never great on the defensive side of the ball, but more than made up for that with his offensive prowess.
The Phillies retired Klein's jersey in 2001, instead of retiring his number, which was ever-changing throughout his playing career. He was selected to play in the All-Star Game twice and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Honorable Mention: Johnny Callison
Starting Pitcher: Steve Carlton
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When it comes to starting pitchers, there can be only one in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies. When the Phillies sent Rick Wise to the St. Louis Cardinals, they knew they were getting a pretty good pitcher in return. However, it was impossible to predict that "Lefty" would be as good as he was for as long as he was. In his first season with the Phillies, he won an incredible 27 games and never looked back.
Over the course of his career, he compiled a record of 329-244, with an ERA of 3.22. He struck out an incredible 4,136 batters and tossed an unheard of, at least in today's game, 254 complete games. In his career, he had double-digit wins 18 times and won more than 20 games six times.
Considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers to ever play the game, Carlton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994—his first appearance on the ballot. He won two World Series; one with the Cardinals and one with the Phillies. Over the course of his career, he compiled an impressive number of awards and honors. He appeared in the All-Star Game 10 times, won the NL Cy Young Award four times and even took home an NL Gold Glove Award!
His number 32 is one of just six numbers retired by the Phillies.
Honorable Mentions: Robin Roberts and Grover Cleveland Alexander
Closer: Tug McGraw
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What better player to close out this list (and the game) than former Philadelphia Phillie and fan favorite, Tug McGraw? After being traded to the Phillies from the New York Mets, McGraw set out on a personal journey to put the Phillies on top of the baseball world. When the Phillies won their first World Series in 1980, McGraw summed up the feelings of the city of Philadelphia best by saying, "All through baseball history, Philadelphia has had to take a back seat to New York City. Well, New York City can take this championship and stick it! 'Cause we're number one!"
Over the course of his career, which began in 1965 and ended in 1984, McGraw had a record of 96-92, with an ERA of 3.14 while converting 180 saves for the Phillies and Mets. He played for just those two teams in his career, and won a World Series with each, appearing in two All-Star Games as well.
Honorable Mentions: Steve Bedrosian and Mitch Williams
All-Time Lineup
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Taking the players that have graced this slide show, the Phillies could put together an interesting all-time lineup. By my count, it could look something like this:
1.) Jimmy Rollins—SS
2.) Chase Utley—2B
3.) Ed Delahanty—LF
4.) Mike Schmidt—3B
5.) Ryan Howard—1B
6.) Chuck Klein—RF
7.) Bob Boone—C
8.) Richie Ashburn—CF
9.) Steve Carlton—SP
What would your lineup look like?
In Conclusion...
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It certainly is a great time to be a Phillies fan. After having added Cliff Lee to a star-studed rotation, all eyes have been on the pitching. People around baseball fail to realize that three of the greatest Phillies of all time could be hitting the field everyday for the Fightins' in 2011. Of course, that is assuming that those three hit the field at all. If this team can stay healthy in 2011, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard could help to prove why they are some of the greatest athletes to ever grace the city of Philadelphia.
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