Some of the greatest players in baseball history are among the all-time great Philadelphia Phillies players. The Phillies are a team that has a rich and lengthy history dating back to 1883.
A few requirements had to be met in order to create this top five list. First off, players’ stats from previous teams won’t be taken into account. What matters is what a player accomplished while wearing a Phillies uniform alone. It also takes into account their overall effect on the Phillies. An additional prerequisite is that a player needs to have spent at least seven seasons with the Phillies.
The Best Philadelphia Phillies
5. Richie Ashburn
Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park bears the name of Richie Ashburn, one of the greatest outfielders in Phillies history. Ashburn played for the team for 12 seasons, putting up a.311/.394/.388 line with 22 home runs and 499 RBI. With the Phillies, Ashburn was a four-time All-Star and two-time NL batting champion. Ashburn is on this list because of the influence he has had on Phillies history. In terms of at-bats, runs scored, hits, and games played in Phillies history, Ashburn is currently ranked among the top five. In 1995, Ashburn received a Hall of Fame induction.
4. Jimmy Rollins
The Phillies’ greatest shortstop of the twenty-first century is Jimmy Rollins. Rollins had a.267/.327/.424 line in 15 seasons with the Phillies, along with 2306 hits, 887 RBI, and 216 home runs. While with the Phillies in 2007, Rollins was named the NL MVP. Rollins was a member of the team when he won four Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and three All-Star selections. Rollins had ten seasons in Philadelphia with at least thirty stolen bases. This includes a season that finished 30–30 during the MVP run in 2007. In addition, Rollins is currently eligible for the BBWA Hall of Fame for the third time.
3. Chase Utley
One of the top second basemen of the 2000s and 2010s is Chase Utley. Utley played for the Phillies for 13 seasons, putting up a.282/.366/.481 line with 1623 hits, 916 RBI, and 233 home runs. In addition, Utley appeared in six All-Star games and won four Silver Sluggers while wearing a Phillies uniform. Utley possessed a speed that was underappreciated. Utley amassed 142 stolen bases during his tenure with the Phillies. Furthermore, Utley finished 2009 with a 20–20 campaign. After retiring following the 2018 season, Utley is deserving of election as he is in his first year of eligibility to be considered for the BBWA Hall of Fame.
2. Steve Carlton
The greatest pitcher to ever play for the Phillies is Steve Carlton. Carlton had a 241-161 record, a 3.09 ERA, and 3031 strikeouts in 15 seasons with the Phillies. In addition, Carlton earned a Gold Glove and all four of his Cy Young awards with the Phillies. Carlton was selected to the Phillies All-Star team seven times. In his first season with the Phillies in 1972, Carlton won his first Cy Young Award and completed the pitching Triple Crown. In addition, in 1994, Carlton was admitted into the Hall of Fame.
1. Mike Schmidt
Without a doubt, Mike Schmidt is the best player in Phillies history. Schmidt is the all-time best third baseman as well. Schmidt had a.267/.380/.527 line in 18 seasons, all with the Phillies. He also had 548 home runs, 1595 RBI, and 2234 hits. In addition to ten Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger awards, Schmidt received three NL MVP nominations. Schmidt was a member of the Phillies 1980 World Series championship team, where he won World Series MVP, and was named to the All-Star team twelve times. Schmidt was admitted to the Hall of Fame in 1995.