Dickie Noles started off his 11-year career as a Phillie, being drafted in the fourth round of the 1975 draft. He made his major-league debut in 1979, making 14 starts and pitching 90 innings. He had a 3.80 ERA, 1.311 WHIP, 42 strikeouts, and 38 walks.
Noles moved to the bullpen in 1980, making three starts and 45 appearances as a reliever. His served as a long reliever with 21 of his 45 relief appearances lasting more than an inning. He finished 20 games, recording six saves and two holds. He had a 3.87 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, and 1.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 81.1 innings.
His career wasn’t illustrious, but his time here on the first World Series team in franchise history makes him the top player to wear No. 48.
During the 1980 playoffs, Noles allowed one run on a home run in 4.2 innings when he relieved starter Larry Christenson after one out in Game Four of the World Series. It was the only run he allowed in the playoffs as he had two shutout outings in the NLCS.
Noles split the 1981 season between the majors and Triple-A, posting a 4.17 ERA in 13 appearances, eight of which were starts. He started Game Four of the NLDS against the Expos, allowing two runs in four innings. The Phillies eventually won the game in ten innings before losing in Game Five.
After the 1981 season, Noles was traded with Dan Larson and Keith Moreland to the Cubs for Mike Krukow and cash. He bounced around the league for the rest of the decade, spending time with the Cubs, Rangers, Indians, Tigers, and Orioles. He returned to Philadelphia in 1990, pitching one more game in the majors with the team that drafted him.
Altogether, Noles had a 4.56 ERA, 36-53 record, 455 strikeouts, 338 walks, and 860.1 innings in 277 career appearances. His career wasn’t illustrious, but his time here on the first World Series team in franchise history makes him the top player to wear No. 48.