That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Franchise History: Greatest Player to Wear Each Number

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies greats, Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt were among many on hand to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was to be inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame during a ceremony before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 56
Next
FLUSHING, NY – JULY 13: Placido Polanco #27 and Manager Larry Bowa of Philadelphia Phillies argue with home plate umpire Jerry layne after Layne threw Polanco out of the game during the National League game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on July 13, 2003 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won 4-3. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY – JULY 13: Placido Polanco #27 and Manager Larry Bowa of Philadelphia Phillies argue with home plate umpire Jerry layne after Layne threw Polanco out of the game during the National League game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on July 13, 2003 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won 4-3. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

10. team. 6. . . . Larry Bowa

It was down to Larry Bowa and Darren Daulton for the greatest to wear the number 10 in Phillies history. While Daulton was a tremendous leader and one of the most beloved athletes in the history of Philadelphia sports, he can’t surpass the great Larry Bowa.

Since joining the Phillies in 1970 Bowa has been a staple in the organization as a player, coach, manager, and front office voice. A Gold Glove infielder, Bowa was a veteran on the 1980 World Series team that knocked off George Brett and the Royals.

Few people in baseball can say they spent the majority of the last 48 years with one organization.

Playing 12 of his 16 seasons Philadelphia, Bowa hit .264 with 1,798 hits, 206 doubles, and 288 stolen bases while playing 1,739 games, the fourth-most in franchise history. He won two Gold Gloves and made five All-Star teams before retiring in 1985, and his 16.8 dWAR is the third-best in franchise history behind Mike Schmidt and Chase Utley.

Fast forward 15 years and Bowa became the team’s manager in the middle of a lengthy rebuild. In four years as the skipper the Phillies won at least 80 games but never won the division or clinched a playoff spot.

Bowa returned to the Phillies dugout as their bench coach under Ryne Sandberg and Pete Mackanin, but was not retained as a coach by Gabe Kapler. The 72-year-old Bowa is now a senior advisor to general manager Matt Klentak.

Few people in baseball can say they spent the majority of the last 48 years with one organization. He’s one of the all-time people in this organization and is undoubtedly the greatest to wear 10.

Home/Phillies All-Time Lists