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Top ten starting pitchers in Phillies franchise history

By Kerry Kauffman |
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Steve Carlton throws out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Steve Carlton throws out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)
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Although the Phillies have had many poor seasons, there have been some prominent starting pitchers. Here is a list of the top ten in team history.

As we continue through the off season anticipating free agent signings and trades, we take a look back at the top players in franchise history. Here is a list of the best 10 starting pitchers in Phillies history.

PHILADELPHIA – APRIL 4: Philadelphia Phillies fans celebrate introductions of their team against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the last opening day at Veterans Stadium on April 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 9-1. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – APRIL 4: Philadelphia Phillies fans celebrate introductions of their team against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the last opening day at Veterans Stadium on April 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 9-1. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

10 – Curt Simmons (1947 – 1960)

Simmons was a member of the 1950 “Whiz Kids” who won the National League pennant. He was a three -time All-Star and lead the league in shutouts in 1952. Simmons won 15 of more games three times and is fifth in franchise history in wins with 115.

9 – Chris Short (1959 – 1973)

Short spent his entire career in the red pinstripes. He was a two-time All-Star and a 20-game winner in 1966. Short had five seasons with an ERA under three and threw 200 or more innings in four seasons. He is fourth on the Phillies career win list with 132.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the first inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the first inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images) /

8 – Cliff Lee (2009, 2011 – 2014)

Lee likely would be much higher on this list had he spent more time in Philadelphia. He was an All-Star in 2011 when he won 17 games and again in 2014 as a 14-game winner.  He struck out 200 or more and logged 200 or more innings each season from 2011 through 2013.  Lee compiled 48 wins and a 2.94 ERA in 118 starts with the Phillies.

7 – Roy Halladay (2010 – 2013)

Like Cliff Lee, the late Roy Halladay would be significantly higher on this list if he had spent more time in Philadelphia. Halladay was the Cy Young Award winner in 2010, leading the league in wins, complete games and shutouts. No one will forget the perfect game against the Marlins and playoff no-hitter against the Reds in the same season. Halladay won 19 games in 2011, again leading the league in complete games. Injuries took their toll on Halladay, limiting his effectiveness over his final 38 starts, going 15-13 with an ERA of 5.15 in 2012 and 2013.

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6 – Jim Bunning (1964 – 1967, 1970 – 1971)

Bunning was one of the top pitchers in the league in his first stint with the Phillies. He threw a prefect game on Father’s Day in 1964 en route to his first of three consecutive 19-win seasons. Bunning also had a string of four seasons with an ERA under 3. He was a two-time All-Star with the Phillies and lead the league in shutouts in both 1966 and 1967. Bunning went just 15-27 over the final two seasons of his career in 1970 and 1971.

5 – Curt Schilling (1992 – 2000) 

If you look at the totality of Schilling’s career, he would rank even higher than fifth. In his second season with the Phillies in 1993, Schilling was a key component to the NL Championship team. He won 16 games that season and was NLCS MVP. Schilling won 15 of more games with the Phillies four-times and struck out over 300 in both 1997 and 1998. He ranks seventh in franchise victories with 101.

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 25: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning on July 25, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 25: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning on July 25, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

4- Cole Hamels (2006 – 2015)

Hamels was instrumental throughout the 2008 post season, earning NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Although never a league leader in any categories while with the Phillies, Hamels was extremely solid. He was a three-time All-Star, threw 200 or more innings six times and struck out over 200 three times. His 114 victories is sixth in franchise history and his 1844 strikeouts ranks third.

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3- Grover Cleveland Alexander (1911 – 1917)

Alexander pitched in the “dead ball era” where pitchers logged more innings and ERA’s in general were quite low. However, it’s hard to overlook what he accomplished. He lead the league in wins five times with the Phillies, including three consecutive of 30 or more.

Alexander had three consecutive seasons with an ERA under two and hurled 300 or more innings in all seven seasons with the Phillies. He is fourth on the franchise victory list with 190.

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2- Robin Roberts (1948 – 1961)

Roberts was a workhorse who compiled 300 or more innings six straight years. He lead the league in wins four times, lead in complete games five times and was a seven-time All-Star. Roberts ranks second in Phillies history with 234 wins, second in strikeouts with 1871 and first in complete games with 272.

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1- Steve Carlton (1972 – 1986)

Carlton made his mark early in Philadelphia, recording a league leading 27 wins, 1.97 ERA, 30 complete games and 310 strikeouts in 1972. All the more remarkable, he did so on a team that won only 59 games. Carlton lead the league in wins four times with the Phillies, was a seven-time All-Star selection, four time Cy Young Award winner and five time strikeout leader.  He ranks first in franchise history in wins with 241 and in strikeouts with 3031. Carlton retired 11th in wins with 329 and 4th in strikeouts with 4136.

Next: Phillies rumor: Mets interested in Cesar Hernandez

There were plenty more starting pitchers that could have made this list. Which ones deserve to be honorable mentions?

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