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Phillies select Bobby Abreu for the Wall of Fame

By George Stockburger

19 Jul 1998: Outfielder Bobby Abreu #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the New York Mets at the Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Phillies defeated the Mets 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
19 Jul 1998: Outfielder Bobby Abreu #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a game against the New York Mets at the Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Phillies defeated the Mets 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport /
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One of the outfielders in Phillies history will be immortalized on the Wall of Fame.

Phillies legend Bobby Abreu has been selected to join the Wall of Fame this summer as one of the franchise’s all-time great hitters.

Abreu, known for being a tremendous hitter whose legacy is buried in one of the worst eras of Phillies baseball, was the favorite among 10 finalists.

Other notable candidates on this year’s ballot were Scott Rolen, Placido Polanco, Jim Fregosi, and Manny Trillo.

In nine seasons with the Phillies, Abreu compiled a 47.2 WAR, the sixth-highest in franchise history behind Mike Schmidt, Chase Utley, Ed Delehanty, Richie Ashburn, and Sherry Magee.

Through 1,353 games Abreu hit .303 with 348 doubles, 42 triples, 195 home runs, and 814 RBI while stealing 254 bases.

Abreu finished 12th on the TBOH All-Time Phillies list thanks to his historic on-base rates. A native of Venezuela, Abreu has the greatest on-base percentage in Phillies history post-deadball era.

Abreu also ranks in the top-seven for slugging, OBPS, doubles, walks, stolen bases, runs created, times on base, and Win Probability Added. He’s the first modern-day Phillie to hit 50 doubles in a season.

Only a handful of players in baseball history sit with 550 doubles and 400 stolen bases: Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Craig Biggio, Honus Wagner, Paul Molitor, Barry Bonds, and Bobby Abreu.

Abreu finished with a 41.6 peak WAR while the average Hall of Fame right fielder’s is 42.9, suggesting he could have a Hall of Fame case in 2019-20.

Had Abreu played on a better team his legacy would likely be more recognized among the fanbase. Abreu played in the early 2000s rebuilding era when Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard were either getting their feet wet or working their way up to the big leagues.

From 1998-2006 the Phillies had a .499 win percentage, four managers (Gary Varsho managed two games), and zero playoff games. The year after Abreu left Philadelphia clinched their first playoff berth since 1993.

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Abreu will be honored on August 3 during Alumni Weekend at Citizens Bank Park.

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