Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the oldest organizations in baseball. Founded in 1883, the Phillies played their first game at Recreation Park and finished their inaugural campaign 17-81. Four years later they moved to the Baker Bowl, which was their home until 1938. The team has also played at Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and currently Citizens Bank Park.

2020 Front Office, Coaching Staff and Roster

The Phillies are owned by an ownership group, which is led by Managing Partner John Middleton. Andy MacPhail was named President in 2015 and Matt Klentak serves as the Vice President and General Manager.

Joe Girardi took over as manager in the winter of 2019 for Gabe Kapler, who was fired. His staff includes Rob Thomson (bench coach), Joe Dillon (hitting coach), Pedro Guerrero (assistant hitting coach), Bryan Price (pitching coach), David Lundquist (assistant pitching coach), Paco Figueroa (first base coach) and Dusty Wathan (third base coach).

The Phillies have 15 pitchers and 13 position players on their roster this year (rosters were expanded from 25 to 28 players due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

The starting rotation is led by ace Aaron Nola followed by Zach Wheeler, Jake Arrietta, Zach Eflin and Spencer Howard. The bullpen is made up of right-handed pitchers David Hale, Heath Hembree, Tommy Hunter, Hector Neris, Blake Parker, David Phelps, Vince Velasquez and Brandon Workman, and left handers JoJo Romero, Ranger Suarez.

J.T. Realmuto and Andrew Knapp are the catchers, while the infield consists of Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius, Neil Walker, Phil Gosselin and Alec Bohm. The outfield is headed by Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Adam Haseley and Roman Quinn.

Major Trades

The biggest deal the Phillies ever pulled the trigger on was acquiring pitcher Steve Carlton from the Cardinals for pitcher Rick Wise in 1972. Carlton ended up winning multiple Cy Young awards and helped lead the team to its first World Series championship in 1980. Another winner for the front office was adding future Hall of Famer Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays in exchange for three minor leaguers in 2009. He earned the 2010 Cy Young Award, tossed a perfect game and threw a no-hitter for the Phillies.

One trade the Phillies wish they never made was shipping then-minor leaguer and future Hall of Famer second baseman Ryne Sandberg, along with Larry Bowa, to the Cubs for infielder Ivan DeJesus. Sandberg won an MVP award and made 10 all-star teams, while DeJesus lasted just three years in Philadelphia.

Major Achievements / Championships

While the team has been around for over 130 years, they have only won two World Series. The Phillies captured titles in 1980 over the Kansas City Royals and 2008 against the Tampa Bay Rays. They were the National League champions in 1915, 1950, 1983, 1993 and 2009, and claimed the National League East Division 11 times, including winning five straight from 2007 to 2011.

Team Stats

Entering the 2020 season, the Phillies boasted an all-time record of 9,825 wins and 11,000 losses. Their highest win total was 102 games in 2012, which eclipsed their previous high of 101 games in 1976 and 1977. They have also finished with 90 wins or more 12 times.

The Phillies worst season occurred in 1941, when they lost 111 games. They’ve also lost 100 game or more 13 times, most recently in 1961 with 107 losses.

Famous Players

Throughout their rich history, many Hall of Famers and superstars have worn a Phillies jersey. However, any list of Phillies greats must begin with the five players who have their numbers retired such as Mike Schmidt, Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Jim Bunning and Carlton.

Schmidt is the team’s best hitter of all time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, Schmidt clubbed a team-record 548 home runs, which also ranks 16th on baseball’s all-time leader board, and drove in 1,595 runs. The slick fielding third baseman won 10 Gold Glove Awards and played his entire 18 years in Philly.

Carlton is widely considered as the best pitcher in team history. He took the hill every five days for the club from 1972-1986 and won four Cy Young Awards. He set a Phillies record with 27 wins in 1972. Over his career, he won 329 games and struck out 4,136 batters, which ranks fourth all-time in baseball.

Other Hall of Fame players who have had stints in Philly include Ed Delahanty, Chuck Klein, Joe Morgan, Jim Thome, Halladay and Pedro Martinez. In addition to players who have been enshrined in Cooperstown, the Phillies have featured players who earned multiple all-star selections such as Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Darren Daulton, Curt Schilling, Dick Allen and Pete Rose.