Phillies: Top ten starting and relief pitchers of the 1990’s
The Phillies have pitching needs entering 2018. Looking back at past eras, we take a look at the best Phillies pitchers of the 1990’s.
With the Phillies in need of bolstering the pitching staff for the 2018 season, we look back at the top pitchers from past eras. Here are the top pitchers to wear the red pinstripes during the 1990’s.
10 – Paul Byrd (1998 -2000)
Byrd was quite successful during his eight games in 1998 after coming over from the Braves, going 5-2 with a 2.29 ERA. He continued to pitch well through most of 1999, earning an All-Star berth. Bryd finished the season with 15 wins and a 4.60 ERA. Although Byrd struggled in 2000, he was solid enough in 1998 and 1999 to earn a place on this list.
9 – Larry Andersen (1983 – 1986, 1993 – 1994)
Andersen had two productive stints with the Phillies, but makes this list for his contributions to the 1993 NL championship team. He went 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 64 games, striking out 67 in 61 2/3 innings. After his retirement, Andersen has become a successful radio broadcaster covering the team.
8 – Heathcliff Slocumb (1994 – 1995)
Sloucumb spent just two seasons with the Phillies, but made the most of it. He was an All-Star in 1995, saving 32 games and leading the league in games finished with 54. Slocumb had an ERA under three both seasons and finished his time in Philadelphia with a 10-7 record and 2.88 ERA.
7 – David West (1993 – 1996)
West was a key left-handed reliever for the 1993 NL championship team. He posted an ERA of 2.92, allowing only 60 hits in 86 1/3 innings, while striking out 87. Less effective as a starter from part of 1994 through 1996, West still finished his stay in Philadelphia with an ERA of 3.50.
6 – Danny Jackson (1993 – 1994)
Although pitching just two seasons with the Phillies, Jackson was a key part of the rotation during that time. He was a 12-game winner in 1993 and was an All-Star in 1994, going 14-6 with a 3.26 ERA and finished sixth in the Cy Young Award voting.
5 – Tommy Greene (1990 – 1995)
When Greene was healthy, he was one of the best pitchers in the National League. He has a no-hitter in his resume and was 16-4 in 1993 with 167 strikeouts in 200 innings. Greene was also a solid 13-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 1991. Unfortunately the rest of his career was injury-plagued, finishing his time in Philadelphia with 36 wins and a 4.02 ERA.
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4 – Ricky Bottalico (1994 – 1998, 2000 -2001)
Bottalico was a top set up man in 1995, going 5-3 with a 2.45 ERA. Moving to the closer’s role in 1996, Bottalico was stellar.
He saved 34 games in both 1996 and 1997, striking out 163 in 141 2/3 innings with an ERA of 3.43. While Bottalico struggled to a 6.44 ERA in 1998, he is high on this list due to three dominant seasons.
3 – Mitch Williams (1991 – 1993)
Many remember Williams for giving up the World Series ending home run in 1993, but the Phillies don’t reach the series without Williams. He saved 43 games that season and 102 for his brief Phillies career. Williams has his best overall season in 1991, going 12-5 with a 2.34 ERA, allowing only 56 hits in 88 1/3 innings, finishing sixth in the Cy Young Award voting.
2 – Terry Mulholland (1990 – 1993, 1996)
Mulholland was never flashy, but was workmanlike and generally got the job done. In fact, he has a no-hitter under his belt. Mulholland was another key component to the 1993 starting rotation, earning an All-Star berth. He won 41 games from 1991 through 1993, leading the league with 12 complete games in 1992. Twice hurling over 200 innings in a season, Mulholland finished his Phillies career with a 3.68 ERA.
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1 – Curt Schilling (1992 – 2000)
Schilling had some of his most dominant seasons with the Diamondbacks, but was the best Phillies pitcher of the 1990’s. While with the Phillies, Schilling was an All-Star three times, won 15 of more games four times and had back-to-back 300 strikeout seasons. Schilling compiled a record with the Phillies of 95-73 with a 3.30 ERA.
Next: Who Will Be the Phillies Closer in 2018
Whatever you think of Schilling politically, it’s hard to dispute the fact that he was the best pitcher Philadelphia had in the 1990s.