Phillies history: Top ten seasons by role players since 1980

All successful teams need a strong bench. We take a look back and the most successful seasons for a Phillies role player since the 1980 World Series season.

During a major-league season, the starting eight get the most headlines. The stars must shine to advance the team to their ultimate goal. However, without a strong bench who can give the starters a rest, enter during critical situations and fill-in when injury strikes, a team will struggle to contend.  With the starting point at 1980 during the Phillies first World Series title, we take a look at the top seasons for Phillies role players.

Note that the criteria I used are not based on games played but at-bats.  All players on this list had between 200 and 400 plate appearances. Less than 200 and the player likely didn’t have a significant enough impact on the team, and more than 400 generally is for starters or nearly full-time players.

1980 – Lonnie Smith

Smith appeared in 34 games combined in 1978 and 1979 and was officially a rookie in 1980. On the roster the entire season, Smith saw limited action over the first two months of the season. With veteran left fielder Greg Luzinski struggling through the worst season of his career, Smith began to see more playing time and contributed in a big way, appearing in 85 of the Phillies last 117 games.

Utilizing his speed, Smith stole 33 bases and legged out four triples. He hit .339 with 69 runs scored, 14 doubles and 26 walks. At the top of the order, he posted an impressive .397 on-base percentage and .840 slugging percentage.  Smith was third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting despite having only 298 at-bats.  He was also a key component off the bench in the post-season, going 8-for-24 in nine games.

1983 – Joe Lefebvre

Lefebvre was in his fourth major-league season as a 27-year-old in 1983. The Phillies acquired Lefebvre in late May, and he fit in nicely as the youngster on a team of veterans known as the “Wheeze Kids.”  A very versatile left-handed batter who could fill in at any outfield position, third base or catcher in a pinch, Lefebvre proved his worth in a big way.

Never a full-time major-league player, Lefebvre had a career season off the bench in 1983, hitting .310 with 20 doubles, eight triples, and eight home runs in 258 at-bats. His .388 on-base percentage, .543 slugging percentage, and .930 OPS were all career highs.

Lefebvre never matched that success again, hitting .250 in 160 at-bats in 1984. He missed the 1985 season due to injury and had only 18 at-bats with the Phillies in 1986 before retiring.

1984 – Sixto Lezcano

Lezcano was near the end of a solid 12-year Major League career when the Phillies acquired him late in 1983.  His career-season was just four years prior after batting .321 with 28 home runs and 101 RBI with the Brewers, earning a Gold Glove award and 15th in National League MVP voting.

As a platoon right fielder, left fielder and pinch hitter with the Phillies in 1984, Lezcano provided solid fielding, a strong arm, and right-handed power.  In 256 at-bats, he had a .277 batting average with 14 home runs, 40 RBI and a capable .851 OPS.

Lezcano was out of Philadelphia the following season and hit only .207 with three home runs in 153 at-bats with the Pirates in 1985 before retiring.

1984 – Tim Corcoran

Corcoran joined Lezcano as one of the key players off the bench for the 1984 Phillies.  He spent parts of five Major League seasons with the Tigers and Twins before appearing in three games for the Phillies in 1983 but enjoyed his best season in the majors in 1984.

A dependable pinch-hitter and reserve first baseman, right fielder and left fielder, Corcoran hit .341 with 13 doubles and five home runs in 208 at-bats. His average, .440 on-base percentage, .486 slugging percentage, and .925 OPS were are tops for his career.

Corcoran saw nearly as much playing time in 1985 but hit only .214 with no home runs.  After seven at-bats without a hit in six games with the Mets in 1986, Corcoran retired.

1996 – Jim Eisenreich

Eisenreich was a nine-year veteran when the Phillies signed him as a free agent in January 1993.  He provided veteran experience, solid outfield play and great left-handed bat to the lineup. As a platoon player in right field with Wes Chamberlain, Eisenreich was one of many vital components to the 1993 NL Championship team.  All four of his seasons in Philadelphia could have made this list, but his 1996 season was the best of the bunch.

During his final year with the team, Eisenreich hit a lofty .361 with 24 doubles, 11 stolen bases and only 32 strikeouts in 338 at-bats. During his four-year stretch in Philadelphia, Eisenreich batted .324 with a .381 on-base percentage and .833 OPS.

A fan-favorite, Eisenreich received standing ovations in Philadelphia over the next two seasons while a member of the Florida Marlins and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2002 – Jeremy Giambi

The Phillies acquired Giambi in a trade with the A’s for John Maby on May 22, 2002. Before the trade, Giambi had played his first four-plus seasons with the Royals and A’s.  It turned out his 2002 season was the most productive of his relatively short major-league career.

Primarily used as a first baseman, backup outfielder and pinch-hitter, Giambi provided significant power from the left side of the plate. He had 22 extra base hits, including ten home runs and 52 walks. Giambi has an impressive .435 on-base percentage which was more remarkable considering his batting average was a pedestrian .244. His slugging percentage of .538 and OPS of .974 were the best of his career.

Giambi was out of Philadelphia the following season and hit .197 with the Red Sox in 156 at-bats in 2003. Following two seasons in the Minor Leagues, Giambi retired at the age of 30.

2006 – David Dellucci

Dellucci was acquired by the Phillies via trade with the Rangers on April 1, 2006, in exchange for Rob Tejeda and Jake Blalock. At the time, Dellucci was a nine-year veteran coming off a career season in which he hit 29 home runs. Although his time in Philadelphia was short, Dellucci provided production as a platoon outfielder and pinch-hitter.

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In 261 at-bats, Dellucci hit .292 with 14 doubles, five triples, and 13 home runs.  He posted an .899 OPS and a .530 slugging percentage, which were all the best marks of his career.  Dellucci was out of Philadelphia following the season and played for the Indians in 2007, 2008 and part of 2009, before ending his career with the Blue Jays.

2008 – Greg Dobbs

Dobbs spent parts of his first three major-league seasons with this Mariners before joining the Phillies in 2007. Despite having career-highs in both home runs and runs batted in during his first year with the team, Dobbs most significant contribution was during the 2008 World Series Championship season.

As a pinch-hitter, third baseman, first baseman, left fielder and right fielder, Dobbs hit a career-high .301 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, a .491 slugging percentage and .824 OPS.  He was stellar in the postseason, going 7-for-14 with a double and two walks in eight games.

Dobbs spent two more seasons in Philadelphia with his production declining each season significantly. After more than three seasons with the Marlins and 21 games with the Nationals in 2014, Dobbs retired.