Phillies Wall of Fame: Who From 2008 Team Makes It In
The 2008 World Champion Phillies hold a special place in any of our hearts. There were a mix of young stars and grizzled veterans that seemingly came out of no where with a blue-collar style and incredible talent.
Pat Burrell and Charlie Manuel have already made their way onto the wall, each deservingly so.
Now with only two players from that championship remaining in Philadelphia, it’s time to examine which members of the 2008 World Championship team will someday receive a bronze plaque out in Ashburn Alley.
Next: J-Roll
Jimmy Rollins
Stats – 15 years; 2306 hits; 479 doubles; 111 triples; 231 HRs; 886 RBIs; 453 stolen bases
Awards – NL MVP, 3 All-Star Games, 4 Gold Gloves, Roberto Clemente Award
Franchise Career Records – All-Time Hits, All-Time Doubles, Longest Hitting Streak, Games Played
As the franchise leader in hits and a former MVP, Jimmy Rollins is all but a lock to earn a spot on the Wall of Fame. While his relationship with the fans was never a strong one, his play on the field as both a batter and a fielder made up for the tough love.
J-Roll is a fixture on the Phillies organization. You could argue he belongs on the “Mount Rushmore” of the organization. I can see that big smile cast in bronze now.
Next: The Man
Chase Utley
Stats – 13 years; 1,686 hits; 346 doubles; 233 HRs; 346 doubles; 916 RBIs; 142 stolen bases
Awards – 6 All-Star Games, 4 Silver Sluggers
Franchise Career Records – SB Percentage, HBP, 8th in Games Played, 9th in Hits, 6th in HRs
Arguably the most beloved player in Phillies history, Chase Utley is also a lock to make the Wall of Fame. With his unapologetic hustle and tremendous play, Utley easily won our hearts when his first hit was a grand slam against the Rockies. Throw in his incredible blue-collar defense, and you will never see him buy a drink in this town for the rest of his life.
Next: Hollywood
Cole Hamels
Stats – 10 years; 114 wins; 3.30 ERA; 1,930 innings; 1,844 SO, 1.145 WHIP; 8.6 SO9
Awards – 3 All-Star Games, NLCS MVP, WS MVP
Franchise Career Records – 6th in Wins, 2nd in SO9, 6th in IP, 3rd in SO, 4th in GS
Hollywood Hamels is a no-doubt Wall of Famer considering the Phillies probably would not have won it all if not for him. An up and down career in Philadelphia overshadows him being a part of two no-hitters and multiple Cy Young campaigns.
His numbers could have been even better if the offense showed up for him. Countless times he received little or no run support, and even through his body language on the mound touched some people the wrong way, he got the job done.
Next: Chooch
Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz
Stats – 12 years; 1,039 games; 873 hits; 210 doubles; 396 RBIs
Awards – 1 All-Star Game
Franchise Career Records – 4th in Games by a Catcher
While he does not have the flashiest resume, who doesn’t adore Chooch? We know Roy does.
The guy came out of nowhere and is one of the best game callers in the league. To catch a record four no-hitters is a testament to his hard work and knowledge behind the plate. It may be a couple of years before we see his big smile molded in bronze, but that day will surely come.
Next: The Big Piece
Ryan Howard
Stats – 13 years; 1,516 games; 1434 hits; 367 HRs; 1,156 RBIs
Awards – Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, 3x All-Star, NLCS MVP
Franchise Career Records – 2nd in Home Runs, Franchise Single-Season HR Leader, 3rd in RBIs
Put all the drama and recent production issues aside and look at what the Big Piece did in Philadelphia. Second on the franchise home run list, an MVP, a Rookie of the Year, a World Champion, and a boarder-line Hall of Fame player if not for his injuries.
Without the deadly power Howard possessed in the middle of that 2008 line-up, a World Series may have never happened. He hit a league leading 48 home runs as well as a league best 146 RBIs. When he comes back and Jimmy drapes the Wall of Fame uniform on his back, the bad times will be forgotten.
Next: Flyin' Hawaiian
Shane Victorino
Stats – 8 years; 987 games; 998 hits; 88 HRs; 390 RBIs, 179 SB, 63 Triples
Awards – 2 All-Star Games, 3 Gold Gloves
Who could forget all of the incredible moments Shane Victorino provided for us. Like lightning in a bottle, his relentless playing style made the Rule 5 pick an instant fan favorite. He always had a smile on his face and lit-up the base-pads with his blazing speed.
His post season heroics stamp his place in Phillies lore. In 19 NLDS games he hit .306, including the grand slam against C.C. Sabathia in 2008 to break a 1-1 tie in Game Two.
His Gold Glove defense saved countless runs and the Flyin’ Hawaiian will forever be a fan favorite in the City of Brotherly Love.
Next: Lidge
Brad Lidge
Stats – 4 years; 100 Saves; 228 SO; 12 Post-Season Saves
Awards – 1 All-Star Game, Comeback Player of the Year, 4th in 2008 CY Young, 8th in 2008 MVP
Franchise Career Records – 5th in All-Time Saves, 4th Most Saves in One Season
I can hear Harry now. “Brad Lidge does it again and stays perfect for the 2008 season. 48 for 48 in save opportunities, and let the city celebrate!”
Must I say more than that? Brad Lidge has a very good chance of making that wall despite being in town for only four years and struggling with injuries towards the end.
Next: The Ageless Wonder
Jamie Moyer
Stats – 5 years; 56 Wins; 439 SO; 720.2 Innings Pitched
Franchise Career Records – 5th in All-Time Saves, 4th Most Saves in One Season
Twenty-five years as a major league pitcher. While he never won a post-season game or has the All-Star accolades while wearing red pinstripes, everyone has a soft spot for Jamie Moyer in our hearts. He led the 2008 team in regular season wins with 16 and was a mentor to the young guys like Hamels and Kendrick.
A Philadelphia kid who attended the 1980 World Series parade and rode on a float 28 years later down Broad Street. It may be a stretch to call him a Wall of Famer, but he has the heart and competitiveness of a Hall of Famer.
Next: Honorable Mention
There were many other members of the 2008 team that must not be forgotten. The lights-out bull pen featuring Clay Condrey, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson, and Scott Eyre was severely underrated during its time.
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The bench was filled with the perfect role players. Greg Dobbs was a sure-fire pinch-hitter, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins provided the power late in the game, and Eric Bruntlett provided a solid glove wherever you needed him. We can’t forget about So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi, who served as pinch runners and defensive replacements. Finally Chris Coste, the 33-year-old rookie who hit nine home runs in 2008 serving as Carlos Ruiz’s back-up catcher.
Finally, two of the starters who contributed to the team, but you hesitate to place on the Wall of Fame. Pedro Feliz did his job at third base and provided 14 home runs.
The final one is Jayson Werth, who certainly hit like a Wall of Famer, but his decision to chase the money in Washington left a bitter taste in our mouthes. He hit 95 home runs during his four seasons here, but he is in a similar category as Scott Rolen.
All-in-all there are nine players from that 2008 championship team I feel comfortable placing on the Wall of Fame in the very near future.