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Top five shortstops in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history

By Kerry Kauffman |
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 30: Jimmy Rollins
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 30: Jimmy Rollins
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9 Jul 1996: An overall view of Veterans Stadium during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT
9 Jul 1996: An overall view of Veterans Stadium during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT /

During the history of the Phillies, only a select few have combined longevity with success at the shortstop position. Here are the top five shortstops in team history, along with honorable mentions.

Honorable mentions:

More from Phillies All-Time Lists

Heine Sand (1923 – 1928)

Sand played his entire six-year career with the Phillies. He hit 20 or more doubles in a season five times and twice surpassed 30. His best season was in 1927 when he hit .299 with a .369 on-base percentage. He ranks fifth in franchise history among shortstops in games and hits, fourth in runs and sixth in doubles and stolen bases.

Michael Doolin (1905 – 1913)

Doolin had six seasons with 20 or more doubles and two seasons with 10 or more triples. He ranks third in franchise history for shortstops in triples, RBI and stolen bases. He’s also fourth in games played, hits and doubles.

6 Apr 1997: Infielder Kevin Stocker (left) of the Philadelphia Phillies stands on second base as runner Eric Karros of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides in during the Dodgers 3-0 Opening Day loss at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit
6 Apr 1997: Infielder Kevin Stocker (left) of the Philadelphia Phillies stands on second base as runner Eric Karros of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides in during the Dodgers 3-0 Opening Day loss at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit /

5 – Kevin Stocker (1993 – 1997)

Stocker provided a spark in his rookie season with the 1993 team the defied long shot odds to reach the World Series. He finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting, batting .324 in 70 games. Stocker was an average defensive player through 1995, but had a fielding percentage ten points above the league average in 1996 and 1997. Stocker makes this list largely due to his contribution for the 1993 NL pennant winning club.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 27: Freddy Galvis #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies turns a double play against Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals in the top of the third inning at Citizens Bank Park on September 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 27: Freddy Galvis #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies turns a double play against Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals in the top of the third inning at Citizens Bank Park on September 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4 – Freddy Galvis (2012 – present)

Galvis started slow in his first three seasons, hitting a combined .218 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI.  In 2016, he set a career high in home runs with 20 and in RBI with 67. Although just a career .245 hitter and .659 OPS, Galvis makes this list due to his defensive ability. He’s made only 15 errors in 311 games over the past two seasons. His .984 career fielding percentage is ten points above the league average. Galvis arguably should have won at least one Gold Glove award by now and will likely do so before his career is over.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 06: A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the game between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies on August 6, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 06: A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the game between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies on August 6, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

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3 – Granny Hamner (1944 – 1959)

Unlike Galvis, Hamner makes this list more for his longevity and offensive production. His .946 fielding percentage is 13 points below the league average. However, he was a key component to the 1950 “Whiz Kids” team that won the NL pennant. Hamner was a three-time All-Star who had 30 more doubles in a season four times. He had 21 home runs and 92 RBI in 1953 and a .299 average with 89 RBI in 1954. Hamner ranks second in franchise history among shortstops in doubles, home runs, RBI and is third in games, runs and hits.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 15: Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning #14 and bench coach Larry Bowa #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies wait in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on June 15, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 15: Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning #14 and bench coach Larry Bowa #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies wait in the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on June 15, 2014 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2- Larry Bowa (1970 – 1981)

Bowa was a scrappy, undersized shortstop whose longevity and defensive ability vaults him near the top of this list. Bowa was a five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner, who arguably could have won a few more. His career fielding percentage of .980 is 15 points above the league average. Bowa was part of four division championship teams and the World Series championship team of 1980. He ranks second in among Phillies shortstops in games, runs, hits, triples and stolen bases.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 15: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies completes the double play over the top of Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning at AT&T Park on August 15, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 15: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies completes the double play over the top of Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning at AT&T Park on August 15, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1- Jimmy Rollins (2000 – 2014)

Rollins leads in nearly every statistical category among Phillies shortstops, including games, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. He won the MVP in 2007 after hitting .296 with 38 doubles, a league-leading 20 triples, 30 home runs, 94 RBI and 41 stolen bases. One of the key components during the best era in Phillies baseball, Rollins is also a four-time Gold Glove award winner and has a career fielding percentage of .983. He’s likely to get a decent amount of consideration for the Hall of Fame and a certain Phillies Wall of Fame inductee in the near future.

Next: Phillies lose Carlos Tocci in Rule 5 draft

These were the best shortstops in Phillies history. Who deserved to make this list but wasn’t on it?

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