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) /
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4 Apr 2000: Mike Lieberthal of the Philadelphia Phillies connects for a hit during his teams game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/ALLSPORT
4 Apr 2000: Mike Lieberthal of the Philadelphia Phillies connects for a hit during his teams game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/ALLSPORT /

team. 6. . . . Mike Lieberthal. 24

Mike Lieberthal goes down among the best catchers in franchise history with only Red Dooin playing more games at the position in franchise history. Lieberthal finished his 13-year career in Philadelphia with 150 home runs, 609 runs batted in, a .275 batting average and .788 OPS (102 OPS+).

Lieberthal’s peak came at the turn of the century when he earned back-to-back All-Star appearances in 1999 and 2000. In 1999 he earned his only career Gold Glove behind the plate.

From 1999 to 2003, Lieberthal had an .830 OPS with 76 home runs and 311 runs batted in.

Lieberthal played just 34 games in 2001 after tearing his ACL, MCL, and cartilage in his knee while diving back to first. He returned in 2002 with 15 home runs, 52 runs batted in, and a .792 OPS in 130 games. He won the NL Comeback Player of the Year award from the Sporting News in 2002.

Liberthal kept his OPS above .750 from 2004 to 2006, posting a .784 OPS in his final season as a Phillie. He only played 67 games while Chris Coste played 65, Sal Fasano played 50, and Carlos Ruiz played 27. After the season, he signed with the Dodgers, retiring after one season with Los Angeles.

Among Phillies catchers, Liberthal ranks first in home runs and hits, second in runs scored and runs batted in, and fourth in wins above replacement. The Philies didn’t have a winning season with Liberthal and never made the playoffs with him as his last season as a Phillie was in 2006.

In 2012 the club inducted Lieberthal onto the Wall of Fame, making him the first player from his era to receive the honor.

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