Top ten outfielders in Phillies franchise history
Among the long history of the Phillies, many men had standout seasons in the outfield. We will list the best outfielders from all eras in franchise history.
When ranking the top position players in Phillies franchise history, comparing eras can be difficult. The task is even more arduous when considering players before 1900 and during the “dead ball” era. This list gives proper accolades to players from all eras.
Before 1900 and “dead ball” era:
While these men played during a time when batting averages were generally higher and power production was lower, they made their mark while in Philadelphia and are worth mentioning.
Sherry Magee (1904 – 1914)
Magee lead the league in runs, RBI, batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage in 1910. He was also a three-time RBI leader who finished his Phillies career with 1647 hits, 337 doubles, 127 triples and a .299 batting average.
Ed Delahanty (1888 – 1901)
Delahanty is second in franchise history among outfielders in hits and leads with a .348 batting average. He hit over .400 three times and over .300 ten times. One of the top hitters of his era, Delahanty amassed 1286 RBI, 442 doubles, 157 triples and 411 stolen bases with the Phillies.
Sam Thompson (1889 – 1898)
Thompson surpassed the 100 RBI mark eight times, was a three-time hit and RBI leader and twice lead the league in home runs. He had 1469 hits, 957 RBI and a .303 average while in a Phillies uniform.
Post “dead ball” era:
Honorable mention:
Cy Williams (1918 – 1930)
Although Williams played one season in the “dead ball” era, the bulk of his career and success came after. He lead the league in home runs three times and is fifth among outfielders in franchise history with 217 home runs. Williams hit for average as well, compiling a .306 average on 1553 hits.
Lenny Dykstra (1990 – 1996)
Dykstra was one of the key pieces to the 1993 NL Championship team when he lead the league in runs, hits and walks. He also hit .325 with a .418 on-base percentage in 1990. However, much of the rest of his time in Philadelphia was injury-plagued. Certainly Dykstra would have made the top-ten had he been able to stay on the field.
Jayson Werth (2007 – 2010)
Werth hit 24 home runs for the World Series championship team in 2008 and belted 36 home runs in 2009 and 27 in 2010. An All-Star in 2009, Werth could have made the top ten had his tenure in Philadelphia been longer.
10 – Von Hayes (1983 – 1991)
The Phillies traded five players for Hayes and while he never quite lived up to that billing, contributed enough to crack the top ten. He ranked second among Phillies outfielders in stolen bases and is in the top ten in runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI. Hayes had 20 or more stolen bases in a season six times, was a plus outfielder and an All-Star in 1989.
9 – Pat Burrell (2000 – 2008)
Burrell is second among Phillies outfielders in career home runs with 251 and third in RBI. Although Burrell never made an All-Star team, he smashed 20 or more home runs eight straight seasons and four times surpassed 30. He hit 33 home runs for the World Series champions in 2008. Burrell doubled in game five of the series, which turned out to be the winning run and his last at-bat in the red pinstripes.
8 – Shane Victorino (2005 – 2012)
Victorino was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time All-Star with the Phillies. He lead the league in triples in 2009 and 2011. A speedster on the bases, Victorino stole over 30 bases four times. He ranks in the top ten among Phillies outfielders in triples and stolen bases.
7 – Greg Luzinski (1970 – 1980)
Luzinski, known as “The Bull”, was one of the top power threats in the National League in middle 1970’s. He was a four-time All-Star who had three seasons of 30-plus home runs and three seasons with 100 or more RBI. Luzinski ranks fourth among Phillies outfielders with 223 home runs, fifth in RBI and third in OPS. He was traded to the White Sox following the World Series championship season of 1980.
6 – Garry Maddox (1975 – 1986)
Maddox, known as the “Secretary of Defense”, makes this list mostly due to his defensive prowess. He won eight Gold Glove Awards, including seven straight from 1976 through 1982. Only seven outfielders in baseball history have won more Gold Glove Awards. At the plate Maddox was solid, collecting 1333 hits, 249 doubles, 189 stolen bases and a .284 average during his time with the Phillies.
5 – Johnny Callison (1960 – 1969)
Callison is seventh among outfielders in franchise history in home runs with 185, fifth in hits with 1438 and second in triples with 84. He was a two-time All-Star who hit the game winning home run in the 1964 contest. Callison hit 30 or more home runs twice and surpassed 20 home runs four times in his ten years with the Phillies.
4 – Richie Ashburn (1948 – 1959)
Ashburn was an excellent defensive outfielder who unfortunately was overshadowed by Willie Mays, who took home 12 Gold Glove Awards. Ashburn is first in franchise history among outfielders with 2217 hits and in triples with 97. He also ranks second in batting average at .311 and third in stolen bases with 199. Ashburn became a well known broadcaster for the club and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
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3 – Del Ennis (1946 – 1956)
Ennis was one of the young players that propelled the franchise to a National League pennant in 1950. One of the most consistent power hitters during that time, Ennis surpassed 20 home runs eight times and 100 RBI seven times. He was a three-time All-Star and is the franchise leader among outfielders in home runs with 259 and RBI with 1129 and second in hits with 1812.
2 – Bobby Abreu (1998 – 2006)
Abreu may be a surprise on this list at first glance, but his numbers stack up among the best in franchise history. Abreu hit above .300 six times, had seven seasons with 20 or more home runs, seven seasons with 100 or more walks and four seasons of 100 or more RBI. A two time All-Star, Abreu is sixth among Phillies outfielders with 195 home runs, first in doubles with 348 an first in stolen bases with 254. Add in a .303 batting average and .928 OPS and Abreu’s number two ranking is justified.
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1- Chuck Klein (1928 – 1933, 1936 – 1944)
We have to go back before World War II to find the top outfielder in franchise history. Klein lead the league in home runs four times and three times lead in RBI. He was runner up for MVP in 1931 and 1933, winning the award in 1932. Klein surpassed 200 hits six times and five times knocked in over 100 runs. His .326 batting average and .935 OPS are first among Phillies outfielders in the post “dead ball” era. Klein ranks no worse than fourth in runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, batting average and OPS among outfielders in franchise history.
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Who are some Phillies outfielders we didn’t mention but should be on this list?