Phillies best pitchers in franchise history from A to Z

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Steve Carlton throws out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Steve Carlton throws out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 27: Hall of Famer Jim Bunning is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 27: Hall of Famer Jim Bunning is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Who are the greatest Phillies pitchers from A-Z?

Although the Phillies improved by 14 games to 80 wins, there was certainly a level of disappointment with the collapse over the last quarter of the season. While the team looks to make improvements before the start of the 2019 season, we look back at the best pitchers to put on a Phillies’ uniform from A to Z.

Last week we picked the greatest position players from A-Z

A: Grover Alexander (1911 – 1917, 1930)

Alexander led the league in innings six times, wins and strikeouts five times and three times had an ERA under two in his time with the Phillies.  The Hall of Famer completed 219 games with 61 shutouts and a record of 190-91 with an ERA of 2.18 with the Phillies.

B: Jim Bunning (1964 – 1967, 1970 – 1971)

Bunning will forever be remembered for his perfect game on Father’s Day in 1964.  He was an All-Start twice with the Phillies and led the league in shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts in 1967.  Bunning was 89 games with a 2.93 ERA during his time in Philadelphia. A member of the Hall of Fame, Bunning was also a well-respected senator from the state of Kentucky for several years.

C: Steve Carlton (1972 – 1986)

Carlton had the best season of his career in his first in Philadelphia. On a team that won only 59 games, Carlton won 27 with 30 complete games, 310 strikeouts, an ERA of 1.97 and his first of four Cy Young awards.  A seven-time All-Star in the red pinstripes, Carlton led the league in wins four times, strikeouts five times and won 241 of his 329 games with the Phillies.

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