Phillies Wall of Fame candidate: Rich Dubee
When considering members of the Phillies organization to induct to the Wall of Fame, players are often the way to go but Rich Dubee might have a compelling case.
From its time in Ashburn Alley to now out front of Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies Wall of Fame is a must-see monument that shows the history of Phillies legends. From the field to the front office and even up to the announcer’s booth it is nearly impossible to tell the history of the Philadelphia Phillies without using the names on those plaques.
In 2018, former executive Pat Gillick and the late Roy Halladay were inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame and this year Phillies fans have the opportunity to vote on who should be the inducted in 2019.
The Phillies Wall of Fame consists of 64 members. Only three people have been inducted in as a Phillies coach, not counting Connie Mack or members of the A’s. This year, former pitching coach Rich Dubee might have an argument to be voted in and cement his place in Phillies history.
Rich Dubee spent 13 years as a member of the Phillies organization and was the team’s pitching coach from 2005-2013. Dubee spent time as the pitching coach for a few other clubs, but no tenure was as long or significant as his time with the Phillies.
During his tenure as pitching coach Dubee made a significant impact with both his starters and relievers. During his nine years with the Phillies, pitchers finished top three in the National League in WHIP three times, BAA once, saves once, ERA once, strikeouts twice, and complete games five times. Not to mention five straight Division titles, two National League Pennants, and a 2008 World Series championship.
Dubee’s pitchers were voted to a total of eleven All-Star Games, and aces Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Halladay all went to the Mid-Summer Classic twice under Dubee’s leadership. Doc, Hamels, and Lee all posted the lowest ERA’s and WHIPS during their time with Dubee, no doubt performing at the highest levels of their careers while working with him. The trio combined for seven top-six finishes in Cy Young voting.
Halladay was famous for his unmatched work ethic and devotion to the game, all of which worked perfectly for the equally determined Dubee who got the best out of Doc. Halladay won one of his two Cy Youngs during his time in Philly while also throwing the two best games of his career.
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Dubee always managed to get the best out of his pitchers. Vance Worley went 11-3 in 2011 with a 3.01 ERA, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year race. In his three other seasons with 20 games, he only had an ERA under 4.00 once.
After two good years and several mediocre, Brad Lidge came into Dubee’s system and became the best closer in baseball with his historic 48-48 save season. Kyle Kendrick had an ERA under 4.00 in four of his eight seasons with Philadelphia, and since leaving his best ERA was 6.92.
However, despite the success of Dubee’s rotation and pen it is reasonable to question if he is worthy of a spot amongst the great coaches like Charlie Manuel, John Vukovich, and Dallas Green.
Dubee was the pitching coach for Philly for less than a decade and it is hard to immortalize someone who was just a coach.
While Dubee definitely was a very good pitching coach it is tough to determine how much of a role he played in the success of Halladay, Lee, and Hamels.
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To recognize the case for Rich Dubee you have to look no further than the results he created around him. Dubee was a great pitching coach for Philadelphia who always got the absolute most out of his crew.
It’s hard to tell if Dubee will be Wall of Famer but at this point in time, it seems like “no” might be the safer bet. Yet even if Dubee is not enshrined, his time in Philadelphia will not soon be forgotten.