The Philadelphia Phillies History

Philadelphia Phillies, professional baseball team, one of five teams in the East Division of the National League (NL). The Phillies play at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and wear uniforms of white and red. The team’s name is the oldest in major league baseball.

Philadelphia’s early teams boasted Baseball Hall of Fame members such as Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, and Sam Thompson, but the franchise failed to win its first NL pennant until 1915, the year infielder Dave Bancroft was a rookie.

Philadelphia became a NL powerhouse in the late 1970s, capturing five division titles from 1976 to 1983, including three straight under Manager Danny Ozark. The Phillies won their first World Series championship in 1980, defeating the Kansas City Royals with a lineup that featured veteran superstars Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt, outfielder Greg Luzinski, and pitchers Steve Carlton and Tug McGraw. Schmidt, who ranks in the top ten on the all-time home run list, won three NL most valuable player (MVP) awards. He also led the league in home runs 8 times, a record surpassed only by the 12 titles of slugger Babe Ruth. Carlton won 329 games and four Cy Young Awards.

Former player Alfred J. Reach organized the Phillies in 1883. The Phillies had many early stars but rose above third place in the National League only three times in their first 32 seasons. In 1894 outfielders Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Sam Thompson, and Tuck Turner each hit over .400. Philadelphia’s .349 team batting average that year remains an all-time major league record.

Philadelphia won its first NL pennant in 1915 under manager Pat Moran. Right-handed pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander led the league with 31 wins, a 1.22 earned run average (ERA), 12 shutouts, 241 strikeouts, and 36 complete games. Right fielder Gavvy Cravath starred offensively, leading the NL with 24 home runs, 115 runs batted in (RBIs), 89 runs, and 86 walks. The team lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

The Phillies fielded many outstanding players during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, but the team finished in seventh or eighth place 26 times in those 30 seasons. In 1930 all eight regular players hit .280 or better, including outfielder Chuck Klein, who batted .386. The team as a whole batted .315. But in a year dominated by offense throughout the league, the club’s pitchers compiled an all-time record-high ERA of 6.71, and the Phillies finished last in the NL. In 1933 Klein won the Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.

During the late 1940s Philadelphia put together a lineup of talented young stars known as the Whiz Kids. Led by pitchers Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons and outfielders Richie Ashburn, Del Ennis, and Dick Sisler, the Phillies captured the team’s second NL pennant in 1950. Philadelphia was swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series. Ashburn went on to become one of baseball’s most feared offensive threats, winning two batting titles and compiling a career batting average of .308.

After finishing higher than third place only twice from 1951 to 1975, the Phillies put together a string of three consecutive division championships starting in 1976. The 1976 team included third baseman Mike Schmidt, catcher Bob Boone, shortstop Larry Bowa, and center fielder Garry Maddox. Philadelphia repeated as division champion in 1977 and 1978 behind pitcher Steve Carlton, who won the Cy Young Award in 1977. Still, each season ended with a loss in the NL Championship Series.

Playing in their 98th season, the Phillies won their third NL pennant and first World Series in 1980 under manager Dallas Green. Schmidt led the NL in home runs and RBIs, capturing his first of three MVP awards. Pete Rose topped the NL in doubles as Carlton won his third Cy Young Award and Tug McGraw provided outstanding relief pitching. The combination of solid hitting and pitching helped Philadelphia overpower the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.

In 1983 the franchise reunited Rose with two former teammates from the Cincinnati Reds—second baseman Joe Morgan and first baseman Tony Perez. The three veterans sparked the Phillies to the NL pennant that year before losing to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

After a ten-year drought Philadelphia won another pennant in 1993. Nicknamed the Wheeze Kids because of their aging, injury-plagued lineup, the Phillies were led by catcher Darren Daulton, outfielder Lenny Dykstra, first baseman John Kruk, and relief pitcher Mitch Williams. The Toronto Blue Jays, however, defeated the Phillies in the World Series. The Phillies soon faded and had little success in the mid- and late 1990s.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
1980 - d. Kansas City in 6 games
Won the National League Pennant in 1915, 1959, 1980, 1983 and 1993.

TOP MANAGER
Dallas Green managed the Phillies from 1969-1971, during their only World Series win, and finished with a 169-130 record. Jim Fregosi managed from 1991-1996 and finished with a 431-463 record. Gene Mauch managed from 1960-1968 and finished with a 646-684 record. Danny Ozark was manager from 1973-79 and finished with a 594-510 record.

MVPS
Chuck Klein (1932), Jim Konstanty (1959), Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986)

CY YOUNG
Steve Carlton (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982), John Denny (1983), Steve Bedrosian (1987)

ROOKIE OF YEAR
Jack Sanford (1957), Dick Allen (1964), Scott Rolen (1997)

RETIRED NUMBERS
1 - Richie Ashburn (OF)
20 - Mike Schmidt (3B)
32 - Steve Carlton (P)
36 - Robin Roberts (P)

Philadelphia also cut the cord with prodigal son Scott Rolen in July, trading him to St. Louis when it became obvious they couldn't sign him to a long-term contract. They netted Placido Polanco, Bud Smith and Mike Timlin.

For more on the Phillies History please visit Philadelphia Phillies History

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