That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Power ranking players in the Hall of Famers

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Phillies Alumni and Hall of Famers Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, and Mike Schmidt stand on the field during a pre game ceremony before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 10, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Phillies Alumni and Hall of Famers Jim Bunning, Steve Carlton, and Mike Schmidt stand on the field during a pre game ceremony before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 10, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 30: Richie Ashburn (L) and Mike Schmidt (R) hold their plaques after their induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame 30 July in Cooperstown, NY. The two former Philadelphia Phillies joined a total of five inductees in today’s ceremony. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Richie Ashburn

Richie Ashburn is the first of the four undisputed, greatest Phillies of all-time, one of only five players to have a number retired by the organization.

A prototypical leadoff hitter, Ashburn spent the majority of his 15-year career with the Phillies. At the ripe age of 21, Ashburn hit .333 and stole a league-high 32 bases en route to a third-place finish for Rookie of the Year and 11th place for the MVP.

In all but one season of his Phillies career, Ashburn would lead the league in at least one category, whether it be stolen bases, triples, hits, or batting average. Three times he collected at least 200 hits, each season leading the league.

CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 19: Richie Ashburn #1 of the Philadelphia Phillies adjusts his hat as he bats during an MLB Spring Training game on March 19, 1956 at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images) (Set Number: X3621)
CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 19: Richie Ashburn #1 of the Philadelphia Phillies adjusts his hat as he bats during an MLB Spring Training game on March 19, 1956 at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images) (Set Number: X3621) /

Ashburn hit a career-best and league-high .350 with a .440 on-base percentage in 1958, his fourth of six All-Star selections.

A key member of the 1950 National League Champion “Whiz Kids” Ashburn led the league with 14 triples and had another .300 season, a feat he accomplished in 9 of his 15 seasons.

Ashburn is the franchise’s all-time leader in singles both in a single season (181) and all-time (1,811).

He’s second in times on base, third in franchise history in games, at-bats, plate appearances, walks and hits, fourth in runs scored and wins above replacement, fifth in triples, eighth in total bases and on-base percentage and ninth in doubles in franchise history.

After Ashburn’s playing career ended, he joined Harry Kalas in the broadcast booth, a position he would hold for almost 35 years.

Ashburn never was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, only reaching 41.7 percent of votes at his highest point. He was instead inducted in by the Veterans Committee in 1995, just two years before his death in 1997. He was inducted alongside Mike Schmidt and had his No. 1 retired by the team.

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