Phillies: Top ten starting and relief pitchers of the 1990’s

28 May 1998: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
28 May 1998: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
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28 May 1998: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport
28 May 1998: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman /Allsport /

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.

3 Sep 1995: Pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Phillies won the game 3-2.
3 Sep 1995: Pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Phillies won the game 3-2. /

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.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene makes a delivery. Mandatory Credit: Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene makes a delivery. Mandatory Credit: Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT /

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.

6 Mar 1998: Pitcher Ricky Bottalico of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at the Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. The Phillies defeated the Yankees 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewa
6 Mar 1998: Pitcher Ricky Bottalico of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at the Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. The Phillies defeated the Yankees 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewa /

More from That Balls Outta Here

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.

ATLANTA – OCTOBER 11: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during Game five of the 1993 National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on October 11, 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Phillies defeated the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jim Gund/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – OCTOBER 11: Curt Schilling #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during Game five of the 1993 National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on October 11, 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Phillies defeated the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jim Gund/Getty Images) /

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.

More from Phillies History

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.

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