That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies top five career records that appear untouchable

By Kerry Kauffman

June 14, 2014: Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) greeted at first base by Mike Schmidt (20) as Jimmy Rollins passes his career hit record during a Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)
June 14, 2014: Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) greeted at first base by Mike Schmidt (20) as Jimmy Rollins passes his career hit record during a Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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(Original Caption) Photo shows Chuck Klein (left), Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, and, Jimmy Fox (right), Philadelphia Athletics first baseman. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Chuck Klein:  .553 slugging percentage

Klein spent the majority of his Major League career from 1928 through 1944 with the Phillies. He led the league in home runs four times, slugging percentage three times and twice led in RBI.  His 243 home runs in a Phillies uniform rank fifth in franchise history behind Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard, Del Ennis, and Pat Burrell.

Klein posted a slugging percentage of over .500 eight times with the Phillies and four times posted slugging percentages north of .600. Despite averaging a relatively modest one home run every 24 at-bats, Klein hit .326 for his career with the Phillies, significantly contributing to his .553 slugging percentage, easily outdistancing Dick Allen‘s .530, second in franchise history. Mike Schmidt ranks third at .527.  Ryan Howard’s slugging percentage was .515.

One may think with power at a premium that slugging percentage records would be one of the first to fall.  But with the increased power comes the increased strikeout rates and generally lower batting averages, greatly influencing slugging percentage. Take Bryce Harper, for example. Although he has averaged a home run every 18 at-bats for his career, his .509 slugging percentage pales in comparison to Klein’s.

What about Rhys Hoskins?  In his relatively short Major League career, Hoskins is averaging a home run every 14 to 15 at-bats.  However, a .252 batting average keeps his slugging percentage far below Klein, at .522.

It will take a player that combines bat control, high batting average, and high power for an extended period to threaten Klein’s mark. That’s unlikely to happen.

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