If you have listened to the Mike Missanelli Show then you know Mike is a BIG baseball fan. Mike, Tyrone, Jen and the listeners decided to compile a list of the top 50 players to EVER put on a Phillies uniform. This doesnt mean they had to be good when they played here. In fact, most of them werent very good here. Allow this fun list to break up Major League Baseball bickering with the Players Association over a lockout.
50) RP: Tug McGraw
The closer of the 1980 Phillies had a decade long stint with the Phillies where he racked up 94 saves along with a 3.10 ERA.
49) OF: Del Ennis
One of the most underrated Phillies makes the list. The pride of Olney High School ended up being a 3 time All-Star during his Phillies tenure. In 11 seasons he hit .286/.344/.479 with 259 home runs and 1124 RBI. He wasnt truly appreciated by the fan base though until he was traded to the Cardinals.
48) SP: Fernando Valenzuela
Fernandomania arrived in Philly during the 1994 season. Because of injuries, and the lockout, Fernando only pitched in 8 games, but he pitched well with a 3.00 ERA. Fernando’s prime however was unbelievable as he took baseball by storm with the Dodgers. He finished as a 6 time All-Star with 1 Cy Young and the Rookie of the Year award from 1981
47) C/3B/1B: Todd Zeile
Zeile spent his long season in Phillies pin stripes in 1996. He was serviceable, hitting 20 home runs with a .268/.353/.436. But Philly was just one of 11 stops in Zeile’s 19 year pro career.
46) SS: Dick Groat
Groat joined the Phillies for the 66 and 67 season after a great 9 year run with the the Pirates, and then 3 years with the Cardinals. A 5 time All-Star who won the 1960 MVP award. By the time he reached Philly however he was past his prime
45) OF: Garry Matthews
He only spent 3 seasons here, but Sarge Matthews was awesome in his stint with the Phillies. Coming over in the 1981 season, he hit .279/.363/.417 with the Phillies. He was a hell of a player but most of that was with the Giants though. Sarge spent 16 years in the majors before yelling “Cadillac Time” during broadcasts.
44) OF: Hunter Pence
The “missing piece” for the Phillies that was supposed to get the team their 3rd World Series title, Pence came to the Phillies during the 2011 trade deadline. He was shipped out a year later but 3 baseballs and a pack of big league chew. Pence though was incredible with the Astro’s. He was great with the Giants. And even at the age of 36 he made an All-Star team with the Rangers. He had a 14 year major league career and it looks like the Phillies gave up on him WAYYY too quickly.
43) RP: Jonathan Papelbon
If we were doing a list of “most unlikeable athletes to ever come through Philadelphia” Papelbon would probably be top-3. But he is the Phillies all-time saves leader. And in his 12 year MLB career he racked up 368 saves. He was a jerk, but he was good.
42) SP: Dave Stewart
The bulk of Dave Stewart’s damage was done with the Oakland A’s as he was the ace of a World Series teams in Oakland.
41) 1B/OF: Bill White
8 time All-Star. 7 time Gold Glove winner. Unfortunately the Phillies got him past his prime. Thats a trend on this list
40) C: Benito Santiago
A 20 year career but Santiago only spent one of those in Phillies pinstripes. He was a 5 time All-Star and a key member on the 2002 San Francisco Giants team that went to the World Series. 20 years behind the plate is damn impressive, but the Phillies elected Mike Lieberthal over him.
39) SP: Roy Oswalt
While Pence was the “missing piece” for the 2011 team, Oswalt was the “missing piece” of the 2010 team. It took a bit of convincing but he waived his no-trade clause to come to Philly. During his season and a half he had mixed results with the Phillies. But Astros Roy Oswalt was a stud. 3 time All Star who finished top 5 in Cy Young voting 5 times.
38) SP: Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee certainly made a lasting impression with the Phillies and their fans. In his first game he threw a complete game giving up 1 run and showing he could swing the bat as well. He then chose Philly over New York when he reached free agency before the 2011 season. He spent 5 years in a Phillies uniform and he was really good with a 2.94 ERA. He also won a Cy Young award with the Indians in 2008.
37) OF: Garry Maddox
Base hits would evaporate in Maddox’ glove. The “Secretary of Defense” won 8 Gold Gloves, and was a key member of the 1980 team. He spent 12 seasons with the Phillies and hit .284/.320/.409. He spent the first 4 seasons with the Giants.
36) 2B/3B Placido Polanco
Polanco was the big piece in the deal that sent Scott Rolen to the Cardinals. But Polanco didnt want to play third base at the time, and the Phillies had Chase Utley coming through the system. So after a little under 3 full seasons the Phillies shipped him off to the Tigers for Ugeth Urbina. Polanco continued to devlop with the Tigers until returning to the Phillies to play 3rd. In his 16 year career he proved to be a versatile player while also hitting .297/.343/.397
35) OF: Raul Ibanez
If you close your eyes at CBP you can faintly hear the “RAULLLLL” chants from 2009. Brought over to replace Pat Burrell, Ibanez went on a first half tear at CBP. But while Ibanez spent only 3 seasons with the Phillies he spent 19 in the Majors. Most of his 305 career home runs came with the Mariners, but he did hit 70 of those with the Phillies
34) 3B: Michael Young
Admit it, you forgot Michael Young played for the Phillies. It was 2013 and the Phillies were terrible but he was ok. He was well past his prime which came in the previous 13 seasons with the Texas Rangers. A 7 time All-Star who was a great defender as well. He finished his 14 year career as a .300 hitter.
33) OF/IB: Greg Luzinski
Some know him for BBQ, but “The Bull”spent his first 11 seasons with the Phillies and he was the power hitting corner outfielder that every team looks for. He had 223 home runs with the Phillies but his big impact is the pulled pork sandwich.
32) C: Lance Parrish
While Lance Parrish is one of the biggest free agent busts of all-time for the Phillies, they thought they were getting a stud. And thats because Tigers Lance Parrish was a stud. In 10 seasons with the Tigers he hit 212 home runs and 700 RBI. Unfortunately he was horrible with the Phillies.
31) SP: Jerry Koosman
Koosman spent the last 2 years of his career with the Phillies, but were focusing on the previous 17 seasons. Mainly the 12 seasons with the Mets where he had a 3.09 ERA. Koosman was a staple in any rotation and was really good for the Phillies in his first season with the team. After 19 years he hung it up
30) SP: Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels lived up to the hype that he had when the Phillies took him in the first round. He went on to win the 2008 World Series MVP award. He was one of the 4 aces, and has pitched 15 years in the Majors
29) OF: Andrew McCutchen
“Larry” was a guy who kept the locker room loose during the 3 seasons he was with the Phillies. A good defensive outfielder who had a great eye. His prime however was spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he won the 2013 MVP award. 5 time All-Star and 4 time Silver Slugger, hes probably not done yet.
28) OF/1B: Al Oliver
Al Oliver’s Phillies career was….memorable. He had 100 at-bats but man those at-bats were memorable! The bulk of his 18 year career was spent with the Pirates. When his 18 year career was over he was a 7 time All-Star, 3 time Silver Slugger, and he won a batting title.
27) OF: Kenny Lofton
Kenny spent 1 season with the Phillies, but he was good. He should have been an All-Star if were being honest. What the Phillies got in 2005 was a lead off hitter who had a great glove. Philly was one of 11 stops on the Kenny Lofton tour as he spent 17 seasons in the Majors. He was a 6 time All-Star and a 4 time Gold Glove winner
26) SS/2B/1B: Julio Franco
Julio Franco is probably still playing baseball somewhere. He spent 23 seasons in the Majors and that rookie season was spent with the Phillies. He was shipped off for Von Hayes in the infamous 5-1 deal. He finished with a .298 batting average and over 2500 hits.
25) RP: Billy Wagner
Wagner is arguably the best left handed closer EVER.
24) OF: Bobby Abreu
Abreu is one of the most underrated players in franchise history. For years he was the ONLY real reason to go see the team. But his effortless style drove Phillies fans nuts because they felt he was “lazy.” Far from it. In his 18 year career he had 400 stolen bases. He also hit 288 home runs and his career slash line was .291/.395/.475. Best part is he did the majority of his damage with the Phils.
23) 3B: Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen is going to end up in the Hall of Fame. He won Rookie of the Year in 97, but drew the ire of Phillies fans because he no longer wanted to play for the organization, or on the Vets turf. He was an 8 time Gold Glove winner, and a 7 time All-Star.
22) SP: Jim Kaat
He spent 25 seasons in the Majors. A quarter of a century playing amongst the best. That got him in the Hall of Fame. He won an incredible 16 Gold Glove awards.
21) SS: Larry Bowa
12 seasons with the Phillies. The second best short stop in franchise history. His work ethic and grit was endearing to the fan base. He then took over as the manager of the Phils and won Manager of the Year
20) OF/1B/C: Dale Murphy
Dale Murphy TORTURED the Phillies while he was crushing it with the Braves, so the Phillies went out and got him. He spent 3 lack luster seasons with the Phillies but his Braves tenure is what gets him on the list where he won 5 Gold Gloves and 4 Silver Slugger awards.
19) 2B: Chase Utley
Im not going to bore you with details that you already know
18) 1B: Ryan Howard
2005 Rookie of the Year
2006 NL MVP
One of, if not the greatest slugger the Phillies have ever had.
Nuff said.
17) SS: Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins should end up in Cooperstown. Weve made the case here, so if you need to know why hes on the list just click that link.
16) OF: Bryce Harper
A guy who has truly lived up to the hype. By the time its all said and done we expect Harper to be higher on the list, but the reigning NL MVP finds his way JUST outside of the top 15.
15) 1B/3B/OF: DIck Allen
Here is a guy who SHOULD be in the Hall of Fame. He was the 1972 AL MVP, and also was Rookie of the Year. He went to the All-Star game 7 times and hit 351 home runs.
14) SP: Ferguson Jenkins
Hes in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately its for what he did with the Cubs because the Phillies stupidly traded him at the age of 23. With the Cubs he became one of the best players in baseball
13) 1B/3B: Tony Perez
Tony Perez played until he was 44. The Phillies only had him for one season and it was when Perez was 41. Perez was a Hall of Fame player with the Reds and finished his 23 year career with over 500 doubles and over 375 home runs.
12) 2B/3B: Ryne Sandberg
He was a Hall of Fame player. He was a Hall of SHAME manager! (sick burn.)
Another Hall of Fame player that the Phillies gave to the Cubs. How nice of them.
11) SP) Curt Schilling
Schilling is a Hall of Fame player (even though hes not in because of things that have gone down off the diamond.) He developed his Hall of Fame case with the Phillies. The Phillies gave him a chance to start and he developed into an ace. The 6 time All-Star proved to be a work horse for the Diamondbacks and then the Red Sox.
10) SP: Jim Bunning
I dont know if you have heard this before, but Jim Bunning threw a no-hitter on Fathers Day. But the 9 time All-Star ended up in Cooperstown before ending up in the US Senate. His 3.27 ERa in 17 seasons helped too!
9) OF: RIchie Ashburn
One generation remembers Whitey from his announcing days. But the Hall of Famer, who spent 12 years with the Phillies, was one of the Phillies best players from the moment he entered the Majors at the age of 21. Solid defense, and speed for days, and then his chemistry with Harry Kalas was incredible.
8) SP: Robin Roberts
The ace of the Whiz Kids, Robin Roberts was one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. He led the Majors 5 straight seasons with the most Complete Games in the league. He made 7 straight All-Star games, and you can visit him in Cooperstown
7) SP: Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay showed up and immediately won the NL Cy Young award. Hes one of the only players who has won a Cy Young Award in both leagues. He was one of the most dominant players this game has ever seen. He is enshrined in Cooperstown.
6) 3B/1B/DH: Jim Thome
You wont find a person in baseball who says a bad word about Jim Thome. You also wont find a pitcher who didnt fear his power. 612 home runs and never once accused of cheating.
5) 2B: Joe Morgan
Morgan helped the 83 Phillies reach the World Series, but Joe Morgan was a BIG piece of the “Big Red Machine.” His production with the 1970’s Reds earned him enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
4) OF/1B/3B: Pete Rose
Ill give you 4,256 reasons on why Pete Rose is on this list
3) SP: Steve Carlton
He is arguably the GREATEST left handed pitcher EVER
2) SP: Pedro Martinez
He is arguably the GREATEST right handed pitcher EVER….although that case is weaker than Carlton’s
1) 3B/1B: Mike Schmidt
He IS the GREATEST third basemen of all time!
