That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Five worst teams over the last 50 seasons

By Kerry Kauffman

David Buchanan #55 and Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
David Buchanan #55 and Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH: Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds circa 1988 turns a double play against the Philadelphia Phillies at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH: Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds circa 1988 turns a double play against the Philadelphia Phillies at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Phillies are amongst the all-time losingest franchises in sports, and seasons like these are the reason why.

Nearly a third of the way through the 2019 season and the Phillies are sitting on top of the NL East.

The Phillies have not been in the playoffs since 2011 and are on pace to reverse the trend this season.

With much futility in the history of the franchise, we take a look back a the five worst teams over the last 50 seasons.

5 –  1988 (65 – 96, 35 1/2 games behind)

The Phillies got off to a 3-1 start and were in first place on April 9. It was the only day the team would sit on top of the division.  They went on to lose seven straight and finished April with a 7-12 mark, fifth in the division. Philadelphia hit the basement on May 1 and although they combined to go 27-29 over May and June, remained in last place.

A 20-37 record over July and August included a season-worst eight-game losing streak.  The futility continued to 34 games under .500 and 36 1/2 games back on September 26.

Lee Elia managed the first 152 games, going 60-92 while interim manager John Vukovich had a 5-4 record to end the futile season.

Offensively, the Phils ranked last in the NL in batting average and 10th of 12 teams in runs scored.  Chris James led the team with 19 home runs and no player came close to 100 RBI, as Juan Samuel lead the team with 67. Mike Schmidt missed over 50 games with a shoulder injury and finished his last full season with just 12 home runs and 62 RBI.

Future hitting coach Milt Thompson was the team’s top hitter among regulars with a .288 average.

Kevin Gross was the only starter with an ERA under four, finishing 12-14 with an ERA of 3.69. Closer Steve Bedrosian has 28 saves coming off his Cy Young Award-winning season, but had a relatively high ERA of 3.75.

As a team, the Phillies were last in the NL with a 4.14 ERA and last in walks with 628.

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