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Phillies World Champion Jayson Werth retires, what’s his legacy in Philadelphia?

By George Stockburger |
MILWAUKEE - OCTOBER 04: Jayson Werth #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a triple in the top of the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game three of the NLDS during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Miller Park on October 4, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - OCTOBER 04: Jayson Werth #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a triple in the top of the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game three of the NLDS during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Miller Park on October 4, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Another member of the 2008 World Series Phillies has announced his retirement

Former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth has announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, according to Jon Heyman.

Werth signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, but has been nursing a hamstring injury after 36 games and a .206 batting average.

Joining the Phillies organization prior to the 2007 season, Werth had been tossed away by the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. A first round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 1997, the third-generation major leaguer hit just .245 in his first four seasons with Toronto and Los Angeles.

NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Jayson Werth #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Jayson Werth #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /

After platooning with Shane Victorino in right field in 2007, Werth started the majority of games in right field after Aaron Rowand was traded to the White Sox. Werth hit 24 home runs in 2008 hitting sixth between Pat Burrell and Pedro Feliz en route to a World Series championship.

The following season Werth hit a career-high 36 home runs and earned his lone All-Star selection, making him one of five Phillies on the All-Star team.

His best season came in 2010 when he led the league with 46 doubles and finished eighth in the MVP voting. Werth was one of four Phillies to receive MVP consideration that year along with Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz.

Werth’s legacy in Philadelphia became tarnished when he signed a seven-year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $126 million. He left Philadelphia with a career .282 batting average, 95 home runs, 300 RBI, and 60 stolen bases.

While he didn’t always live up to his monster contract in Washington, Werth was part of the organization’s shift towards winning. He finishes having played the majority of his career with Washington, appearing in over 800 games.

More from Phillies History

We asked fans on Twitter whether or not Werth will someday join the Phillies Wall of Fame. As expected, the voting is close, but early results suggest fans believe Werth is a Wall of Famer.

Werth’s first year of eligibility for the Wall of Fame will be in three years, as per the requirements set by the organization. The original standards required a player to have played at least five years in Philadelphia, but given the success of members of the 2008 championship team and those who followed (Roy Halladay), the organization modified the rules prior to 2015.

Next: Where does Werth rank among his 2008 teammates?

Ultimately Werth will find himself on the Wall of Fame with his long locks set in bronze. He was a major piece of the World Championship and a key bat in the middle of the Phillies lineup from the moment he arrived.

Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Madson remain the only members of the 2008 club still on an active Major League roster.

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