The Philadelphia Phillies has been home to some of Baseball’s greatest names ever, and why not?
Fans and gg.bet bettors will know that they’re one of the oldest in the game, having played in the National League for 142 consecutive seasons since its establishment in 1883. The Phillies are among the most storied teams and have fielded many all-time greats. This article will rank the 15 most famous players in the Phillies Franchise History based on fan sentiments of their time with the Phillies.
No Phillies fan is surprised by his appearance on this list or his position on the ranking. MLB Hall of Famer Third baseman, Mike Schmidt is probably the greatest Phillies player ever, even if just for spending his entire 18-year career with the team, But even more than that, he led them to their first-ever World Series victory in 1980, and is today an MLB Hall of Famer.
The Phillies’ greatest-ever pitcher, “Lefty” used to strike fear in the hearts of opponent batters because of how he would dominate them with his deadly left slider. He was also an integral part of the 1980 championship team. Carlton is not only a Philly Great, he is also a deserving MLB Great.
Legendary Shortstop, Jimmy Rollins will forever be endeared to the Philly fans. Not only because he was a fantastic all-rounder player and the star of the championship-winning team in 2008, but also because he immersed himself in the community as a voice for the less privileged fans. He holds the franchise records for the most hits, doubles, and at-bats.
Another deserved feature from that championship-winning team of 2008, Chase Utley was unmatched in work ethic and grit during his time as a player. Nicknamed “The Man”, the Second baseman was respected by teammates and opponents. In his time with the Phillies, he participated in seven no-hitters and came out on top in four.
His time with them was brief, but Pitcher Roy Halladay made an indelible mark on the franchise with his play from the mound. He is one of few Pitchers in MLB history to make a postseason no-hitter, and that too in his first-ever postseason appearance. “Doc” also pitched the Phillies' second perfect game in franchise history, and they only have two.
Centre fielder Richie Ashburn’s time with the Phillies was marked with consistent high-level output, he led the league in games played, triples, hits, walks, and stolen bases at least once and maintained a batting average of .311 with the team.
Philly Great Pete Rose contributed significantly to one of the most successful eras in franchise history, winning them their first-ever World Series championship in 1980. He was unmatched in his hunger to win and set the level for his teammates. In an era when the Phillies came to be known for grit and determination to win, “Charlie Hustle” was the embodiment of the team character.
One player whose time probably deserved a championship win. Hall of Famer Chuck dominated opponents for the Phillies, he led the league in home runs four times, including three consecutive seasons (1931-1933). He also led the league in batting and RBIs in 1933, earning him the Triple Crown that season. He was the first National Leaguer to hit four home runs in a single game in the modern era and was named the National League MVP for the 1932 season.
The first player in Phillies history to pitch both a perfect game and a no-hitter, a feat that has only ever been achieved by Roy Halladay since. At the time of his retirement, Bunning held the record for the second-highest strikeout total in Major League history with 2,855 strikeouts, and while his time with the franchise was relatively short, it was undeniably impactful, and he was able to etch his name in the franchise’s history.
All-time great Shortstop Larry Bowa is another deserving feature on this list. He won two Gold Glove Awards while on the franchise and led the National League in fielding percentage on six occasions. Bowa’s consistency with the Phillies is also shown in his five-time All-Star appearances. One of the best shortstops ever in the game and a leader on the team that ran away with the World Series Championship.
Dick Allen announced himself on the big stage with a bang, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1964, and he kept his foot on the gas throughout his career. In his time with the Phillies, he made the All-Star three times and led the National League in slugging percentage in 1966 and 1967. The Phillies retired his uniform number 15 in 2020 to honor his legacy with the team.
Aptly nicknamed “The Secretary of Defense”, Maddox had his playing years with the Phillies, during which he won 8 consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder, including the season when the franchise won the World Series. However, he was also known for his versatility, contributing significantly to the team’s offense, where he maintained a batting average of .285.
World Series Champion Tug McGraw sealed his place in Phillies lore when he struck out Will Wilson to secure the final out that sealed the Phillies’ first-ever championship win. The only Relief Pitcher on the list, which is a testament to the consistency of his performances. His iconic “Ya Gotta Believe” mantra became the team’s rallying cry on their championship-winning run.
Greg “The Bull” Luzinski was a formidable hitter during his time with the Phillies, during which time he made the All-Star team four times and won the World Championship. He hit 223 home runs for the franchise and led the league in RBIs in 1975. A fan favorite for the Phillies and a clutch performer, The Bull deserves to make the list.
The final name on the list, Cliff may not have won the World Series with the Phillies, but he makes the list for the consistency of his displays for the team. He was part of the “Four Aces” rotation alongside Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt, who dominated opposition hitters. He had a career ERA of 2.94 with the Phillies and is one of the premier southpaws in franchise history.
