That Balls Outta Here
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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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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 05: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies connects on a first inning RBI single against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 5, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 05: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies connects on a first inning RBI single against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 5, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

8. team. 6. . . . Shane Victorino

As we have highlighted before, the number eight is one of the greatest numbers in terms of who has worn it in Phillies history. You have a legitimate argument for Juan Samuel, Bob Boone, and Tony Taylor as the greatest Phillies to wear the number, but the Flying Hawaiian takes it for the time being.

A Rule 5 pick up turned away from by the Dodgers, Victorino evolved into one of the great defenders in Phillies history. He won three consecutive Gold Gloves while patrolling center field while providing electric speed and hitting on a consistent basis.

Twice Victorino led baseball in triples, and he received MVP votes in each of those campaigns.

Following Aaron Rowand’s departure in 2007 Victorino became the everyday center fielder in Philadelphia after platooning with Jayson Werth and Bobby Abreu the years prior.

Victorino hit .293 during the 2008 championship season with 14 home runs, eight triples, and 36 stolen bases, and was an electric spark in the lineup.

During the playoffs he provided an even bigger spark with one of the great moments in franchise history, a grand slam off C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS at home.

Unfortunately, Victorino was one of the first players from the 2008 core to go once the team entered their rebuild, and he began his career with the Dodgers following a trade in 2012. He picked up a second World Series ring in Boston, and capped off his career with the Angels before retiring as a Phillie this summer.

It’s a close one between the four franchise legends, but Victorino walks away as the greatest to wear number eight, especially since the organization has unofficially retired it since 2012.

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