Ricky Bo’s 4 Reasons The Phillies Clinched Top Wild Card Spot
The Phillies have clinched the top wildcard in the National League last night. Here are some good reasons for it:
Trea Turner Getting an Ovation
Look at Trea Turner and what he has accomplished this year. He hit a low point, not only for this year, but career-wise, on June 4th. He was hitting .232 with a .276 on-base percentage, he has raised his average to .263 and an OBP of .316. What a turnaround that was fueled by you the fans with the “Standing Ovation Game”. He has become a huge factor in what the Phillies have accomplished.
Nick Castellanos Bouncing Back From a Bad 2022
Nick Castellanos, who I give all the credit he deserves, had a subpar 2022, turned his whole game around this season. He sits at .276 with 29 homers and a career year with R.B.I.’s at 106. He fought through and is definitely in the conversation for team M.V.P. Not only did his offense go in the right direction, but his defense has been outstanding. The right fielder has gotten to every ball you could ask and who could forget last week at Atlanta with the great assist in foul territory in right.
Bryce Harper Playing First Base
Bryce Harper and his early return. We know what this guy brings to the table, but his return was huge to the Phillies, a nice shot in the arm! What was even more important was Harper learning to play first base on the fly. This helped the Phillies defensively by two reasons, they would add speed to the outfield and open up the designated hitter positions for others, and by others I mean Kyle Schwarber. Harper has put up respectable numbers since his return and a sigh of relief for all.
Homegrown Guys Stepping Up
One of the most important things I have witnessed this year is certain guys stepping up. Homegrown talent is always a good mix to veteran players. Some guys who have come up and done a nice job are Johan Rojas, his bat has been a pleasant surprise and his defense has been top-notch in center. Christian Pache, when healthy has proven to be a positive force for the lineup and in the field. Cristopher Sanchez has given the Phillies more than a fill-in at the number 5 spot, he has proven he can pitch at this level and give quality innings. And, lastly, Jeff Hoffman, who got the win in the clincher, has been more than good. He has a power arm and shows a good slider and split, just what the doctor ordered.
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The bottom line is this team plays a game as a unit from 1-26 on the roster. Everyone has chipped in. Credit has to be given to the veterans on this team for welcoming guys in knowing that they are there to help the club win. You will have your Schwarbombs, your BCIB, MVP, and great starting pitchers, but chemistry is hard to find, THE 2023 PHILLIES HAVE THAT!
Every Member of the Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame
1978: Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts was the first name to go up onto the Wall of Fame. He was inducted in 1978 at Veteran’s Stadium. He pitched 14 seasons with the Phillies, racking up 234 wins, with a 3.46 ERA. Robin Roberts was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1989- Steve Carlton
I dont need to explain to anyone who Steve Carlton is. He is the best pitcher in Phillies history and one of the best lefties period. He made 10 All-Star teams, won the Cy Young award 4 times, won the Triple Crown in 1972, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
(Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)
1991- Larry Bowa
Another member of that 1980 team, more than anyone, Larry Bowa has kept strong ties to the Phillies. His actual career may not be as prolific as Schmidt or Carlton, but he is just as beloved, if not more so, because of how involved he has been with the team and city since. As a player, he won two gold gloves at SS and made 5 All-Star teams. He went on the manage the team for 4 years in the early 2000s and even won Manager of the Year once.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
1994- Dick Allen
One of the most underappreciated players in Phillies history. He won Rookie of the Year with them in 1964, and over 9 seasons with the Phillies, he hit 204 HRs, made 3 All-Star Games, and went on to win MVP and make 4 more All-Star games after he left the Phillies. He should probably be in the Hall Of Fame, but he is one of the 9 players whose number the Phillies retired.
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
1998- Greg Luzinski
“The Bull” roamed Left Field for the Phillies for 11 years from 1970 until 1980. In that time, he made 4 All-Star teams and hit 223 HRs. He is also a regular part of Citizens Bank Park, having opened “Bull’s Barbeque inside Citizens Bank Park.
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
2005-Bob Boone
The defensive-minded backstop won 7 gold Gloves in his career, including 2 with the Phillies. If it wasn’t for Johnny Bench, he would likely have far more. He caught games with the Phillies from 1972 until 1981, catching the final strike of the 1980 World Series.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2006- Dallas Green
Green pitched for 6 seasons with the Phillies in the ’60s but may be better known as the Manager who led the Phillies to their first-ever World Series. He only managed the team from 1979 to 1981. But he didn’t need much time to make his mark on Phillies history.
(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
2007- John Vukovich
A baseball lifer, Vukovich spent 41 seasons in the MLB as either a player or a manager. 30 of those were with the Phillies, with 7 as a player. He did not necessarily shine as a player but was on the Phillies Coaching staff for longer than anyone else in Phillies history. After he passed away in 2007, the Phillies honored him with a “Vuk” patch on their jerseys, and then they inducted him into the Wall of Fame in August.
Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
2008- Juan Samuel
249 steals, 921 hits, 100 HRs, and 71 triples across 7 seasons in a Phillies Jersey. Then he returned as a 3rd Base Coach and later a First Base Coach for the Phillies.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
2010- Darren Daulton
A leader of that 1993 Phillies team, Darren “Dutch” Daulton was beloved in Philadelphia. The case for the best catcher in Phillies history is between him and Carlos Ruiz. He caught for the Phillies across 14 seasons, winning 1 Silver Slugger award, and making the All-Star game 3 times. In those 13 seasons, he racked up 134 Hrs. And in 1992 he led the NL in RBIs with 109.
MANDATORY CREDIT: TIM DEFRISCO/ALLSPORT.
2011- John Kruk
Whether you knew him as a player in the 90s or now as a broadcaster, there are very few people who don’t love John Kruk. He had a .309 Batting average for the Phillies across 6 seasons. He also made 3 All-Star teams and was a vital part of that 1993 team that almost went all the way. I think we can forgive him for wiggling out of an obligation to visit the St. Louis Arch.
(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
2012- Mike Lieberthal
It may be because his time with the Phillies was a dark age, with very little winning going on, but Lieberthal is one of the most underappreciated Phillies, maybe ever. It could also be because he was stuck between the two most beloved catches in franchise history Darren Daulton and Carlos Ruiz. But Lieberthal played 13 seasons with the Phillies, racking up 1,155 hits, 150 HRs, and 610 RBIs. He also made two All-Star teams and won a Gold Glove.
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
2013- Curt Schilling
Schilling spent 9 of his 20 seasons in the MLB with the Phillies. And while his actions off the field, there 8is a town in Rhode Island very unhappy with him, have left him a bit of a pariah, his play on it was never in doubt. a 3.35 ERA, 101 wins, and 1,554 strikeouts.
(Photo by Jim Gund/Getty Images)
2018- Pat Gillick
Gillick was the 4th GM to make it into the MLB Hall of Fame, and the 2nd to go onto the Phillies Wall of Fame. While it is true most of the Phillies core was in place already when he took over for Ed Wade, it was Gillick who traded for Jamie Moyer, Brad Lidge, and Joe Blanton, and it was Gillick who found Jayson Werth and Matt Stairs. All key figures of that World Series team. He never made that big splashy move many fans wanted, but his subtle moves rounded out the roster.
(Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
2022- Ron Reed
Ron Reed spent the first half of his career starting games for the Braves. But when he came to the Phillies in 1976, they moved him to the Bullpen, where he played some of the best Baseball of his career. In 8 seasons here, his ERA was 3.06, with 90 saves. He was a big part of the bullpen in the 1980 World Series Season.
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
