Phillies: Five worst teams over the last 50 seasons

4 – 1969 (63 – 99, 37 games behind)

The 1969 Phillies started the season losing their first four games, were 2-8 after the first ten, and already 7.5 games out of first.  A 10-3 stretch put the Phillies a game above the .500 mark on May 6, but a six-game skid followed and the Phils never sniffed the .500 mark again for the season.

A season-worst nine-game losing streak from May 31 through June 10 put the Phillies at 18-32.  A five-game winning streak in mid-June, followed by a season-best nine-game winning streak from June 25 through July 2, put the Phillies at 35-39.

When it appeared the Phillies have turned the corner, the team went 9-21 in July and 30-60 the remainder of the season, finishing just shy of 100 losses, 37 games behind first place.

Although the Phillies hit only .241 as a team, they had some solid pop in the lineup. Dick Allen hammered 32 home runs, knocked in 89 and hit .288, all team highs. Larry Hisle added 20 home runs, Deron Johnson hit 17, and Johnny Callison added 16.

On the mound, Rick Wise was a 15-game winner with a 3.23 ERA. Grant Jackson was a 14 game winner, while losing 18, and Woody Fryman won 12 games.  The bullpen struggled, as closer John Boozer recorded only six saves with a 4.21 ERA.

As a team, the Phillies were tenth in ERA at 4.14, last in hits allowed, and ninth in the NL in walks.