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Phillies: Retire #10 for Darren Daulton and Larry Bowa

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 18: Darren Dalton waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 18, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 18: Darren Dalton waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 18, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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Two of the all-time Phillies greats are worthy of the ultimate honor

News of Darren Daulton’s untimely passing tugged the heart strings of Philadelphia and the Phillies family. An unparalleled leader, Dutch was the face of Philadelphia baseball in the 1990s during some of the greatest highs and lows in franchise history.

Donning the number 10, Dutch was a symbol of everything right in life both on and off the field. He wore the number with pride, not solely because it was right, but to honor the great Larry Bowa.

The two combined to play over 2,800 games in red pinstripes through 26 playing seasons with a World Series in 1980 and a pennant in 1993. Bowa has dedicated his life to Phillies baseball, returning as a manager for four seasons and later as a bench coach.

The debacle that was the now canceled Pete Rose Wall of Fame enshrinement presents an opportunity for the Phillies to do something they’ve never done before: retire the number of a non-Hall of Fame player.

PHILADELPHIA – MAY 12 : Manager Larry Bowa
PHILADELPHIA – MAY 12 : Manager Larry Bowa /

Not just that, but retire a number for not just one player, but two.

There are multiple cases around baseball where a team has retired a number twice when multiple players were deserving. Montreal/Washington has number 10 retired for Andre Dawson and Rusty Staub. The Cubs retired number 31 for Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins.

While Jackie Robinson’s number 42 is retired across baseball, the Yankees retired it for a second time to honor Mariano Rivera. The Cardinals did the same with Bruce Sutter and the league mandate regarding Robinson.

An overwhelming majority of fans agree that the team should honor Daulton with the retirement of his number.

It only makes sense to honor Dutch and Bowa, two of the great men in team history, on the night Rose was due to be honored.

Without Dutch, the 1993 team would be forgotten and without a pennant to their name. An entire generation of fans may not exist if not for Dutch and that team.

Next: Baseball reacts to the passing of Dutch

Should the Phillies retire the number 10 for Bowa and Daulton? Let us know on Twitter or the comment section below.

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