PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Former Phillies third baseman and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt speaks during a ceremony with Phillies alumni before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 12: Former Phillies third baseman and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt speaks during a ceremony with Phillies alumni before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 3-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
During their 135-year history, the Phillies have had their share of good teams. But which made the top ten list for best in franchise history?
There are several ways to approach ranking the top ten teams in Phillies franchise history. The ultimate goal is to win the World Series, and since this has only been done twice in 135 seasons, those two teams have to rank on top. However, several of the top teams performed better statistically during the regular season, but for some reason or another, came up short of the championship. Therefore, a second ranking will be given under that criteria.
PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 23: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies points towards the San Francisco Giants after benches cleared in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
10 – 1983 (90 – 72, NL Champions, Lost World Series)
The “Wheeze Kids” featured an aging roster filled with future Hall of Famer players Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and should be Hall of Famer Pete Rose. Schmidt led the team with 40 home runs and 109 RBI. John Denny won the Cy Young Award with 19 wins, while Carlton added 15 and closer Al Holland had 25 saves and a 2.20 ERA. After defeating the Dodgers in the NLCS, the Phillies fell to the Orioles in the World Series.
9- 2010 (97 – 75, NL East Champions, lost NLCS)
After back-to-back World Series appearances, the 2010 teams lost in the NLCS to the Giants. Roy Halladay led a staff that was first in complete games and shutouts with 21 wins and a 2.44 ERA. Brad Lidge rebounded from a terrible 2009 campaign to record 27 saves and a 2.96 ERA. Ryan Howard had 31 home runs, while Jayson Werth added 27. Shane Victorino had 18 home runs and 34 stolen bases. Fan favorite Chase Utley started with his injury problems but added 16 home runs and 65 RBI.
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Chase Utley #26 after Ruiz scored in the top of the third inning against the New York Yankees in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /
8 – 2009 (93 – 69, NL Champions, Lost World Series)
Although the 2009 team came within two wins of repeating as World Champions, they are just eighth on this list due to unbalanced production. The pitching staff was only sixth in the NL in ERA and 12th in hits allowed and 15th in home runs. J.A. Happ lead the team with 12 wins, while Cole Hamels struggled after his stellar 2008 season, winning just 10 with a 4.32 ERA. Brad Lidge pitched to a 7.21 ERA and lost eight games. Fortunately, the offense was excellent. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Jason Werth all hit over 30 home runs, while Rollins, Utley, Werth and Shane Victorino surpassed 20 stolen bases.
7 – 1950 (91 – 63, NL Champions, Lost World Series)
The “Whiz Kids” surprised the league by winning the National League only to fall to the powerhouse New York Yankees in four games in the World Series. The team was led offensively by Del Ennis, who belted 31 home runs, 126 RBI, and had a .311 average. Willie Jones added 25 home runs and Andy Semenick hit 24. Speedster and defensive wizard Richie Ashburn hit .303 with 14 triples. On the mound, Robin Roberts won 20, completed 21 and hurled 304 1/3 innings, while closer Jim Konstanty won 16 with 22 saves and a 2.66 ERA.
TORONTO – OCTOBER 16: John Kruk #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases during Game one of the 1993 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Skydome on October 16, 1993 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays defeated the Phillies 8-5. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
6 – 1993 (97 – 65, NL Champions, Lost World Series)
This team, comprised of many throwback players, was predicted last by many major publications. They pounded the ball, finishing first or second in nine major offensive categories. Pete Incaviglia lead with 26 home runs, while Darren Daulton added 24 and Lenny Dykstra with 19. Dykstra also hit .305 with 37 stolen bases. Jim Eisenreich also surpassed the .300 mark, hitting .318, while John Kruk hit .315 with 14 home runs. Curt Schilling and Tommy Greene lead the staff with 16 wins each. The bullpen of Larry Andersen, David West and closer Mitch Williams posted an ERA near 3.00, with Williams adding 43 saves. After winning the NL Championship over the favorite Atlanta Braves, the Phillies fell in six to the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series.
5 – 2011 (102 – 60, NL East Champions, Lost NLDS)
While this team posted the best record in franchise history, they fail to reach the top of this list for two main reasons. They fell quite a bit short of winning the World Series and struggled offensively. The team was just seventh in the NL in runs scored and ninth in batting average. Ryan Howard had 33 home runs and 116 RBI. Shane Victorino had 17 home runs, 16 triples and 19 stolen bases and Jimmy Rollins had 30 stolen bases but the rest of the team underperformed offensively. The rotation was the best in team history. Roy Halladay won 19, Cliff Lee won 17 and Cole Hamels won 14. Halladay and Lee surpassed 200 strikeouts, while Hamels fell just six short. The staff was first in ERA, with the top ten pitchers on the staff all with ERAs under four.
In the first year of a three-year run as NL East Champions, the 1976 team was second in seven major offensive categories and three pitching categories. Mike Schmidt led the attack with 38 home runs and 109 RBI, while Greg Luzinski (21 HR, 95 RBI) and Garry Maddox (.330 average, 29 stolen bases) added to the potent lineup. Steve Carlton recorded 21 wins, while Jim Lonborg added 18. All five starters posted ERA’s in the 3’s, while the bullpen recorded an ERA under three. Unfortunately, after 101 regular season wins, the Phillies fell to the Reds in the NLCS.
3 – 1977 (101 – 61, NL East Champions, Lost NLCS)
Perhaps the most dominating team in franchise history, the 1977 team ranks third only because they didn’t win it all. They were first in seven major offensive and pitching categories and second in two others. Greg Luzinski hit .309 with 39 home runs and 130 RBI, finishing second in the MVP voting. Mike Schmidt added 38 HR and 101 RBI, while Garry Maddox (14 home runs, 74 RBI, .292 average) and Richie Hebner (18 home runs, .285 average) added to the attack. Steve Carlton won the Cy Young Award after winning 23 and the bullpen of Tug McGraw, Ron Reed, Warren Brusstar and Gene Garber all pitched to an ERA under 3. The Phillies lost to the Dodgers in four in the NLCS and would again in 1978.
The second Phillies team to win a World Series also ranks second on this list. They ranked first, second or third in five offensive categories. Ryan Howard belted 48 home runs with 146 RBI, while Chase Utley and Pat Burrell each deposited 33 in the seats. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino combined to swipe 83 bases. On the mound, Cole Hamels won 14 and dominated in the postseason, while the ageless Jamie Moyer led the team in regular season wins with 16. Closer Brad Lidge was lights out, converting all 48 save opportunities including the postseason. He finished the regular season with 41 saves and a 1.95 ERA. He struck out Eric Hinske to end the World Series, the same way Tug McGraw ended the first title for the franchise 28 years prior.
1- 1980 (91 – 71, World Series Champions)
The club that gave the city the first championship in history lands number one on the list. The statistics for this team aren’t as impressive as some of the other teams on this list. However, it’s hard to argue against a team that featured the best third baseman in MLB history and best pitcher in franchise history (and one of the best of all time). Mike Schmidt led the league in HR and RBI with 48 and 121, respectively. Pete Rose added 64 RBI and .282 average, while Bake McBride had 87 RBI and a .309 average. Schmidt, Rose, and Carlton were All-Stars, while Schmidt and Maddox won Gold Glove Awards. Carlton won the Cy Young Award with 24 wins, 19 complete games, 304 innings and 284 strikeouts. Closer Tug McGraw had a very slim 1.46 ERA and struck out Willie Wilson to bring home the first title in franchise history.
Embed from Getty Images Top 10 based solely on statistics, not factoring in World Series titles:
How you view the top Phillies team ultimately depends on how much you value titles. They are certainly rare in Philadelphia, so it’s hard to blame someone for thinking the top teams are championship winners.
