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Bryce Harper breaks Phillies 100 RBI drought

By George Stockburger |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to an inside pitch during an at bat in the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Pirates 12-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to an inside pitch during an at bat in the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Pirates 12-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Bryce Harper did something no Phillies outfielder has done in over a decade.

For the second-consecutive season Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper has driven in 100 runs.

It’s the first time the Phillies have had a 100 RBI batter since Ryan Howard drove in 116 in 2011. It’s also the first time a Phillies outfielder has collected 100 RBI since Pat Burrell in 2005.

Harper is definitely a different breed of player than the guys Philadelphia has thrown into the outfield in recent years. Rhys Hoskins, who played left field last year, came the closest to the century mark last year when he had 96 in 153 games.

The other two opening day outfielders from 2018, Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams, combined to drive in 88 RBI last year, while Odubel Herrera had 71 after being benched on opening day.

What’s even crazier is to look at the Phillies single-season RBI leaders since Howard’s 2011 season.

  • 2018 – Rhys Hoskins, 96
  • 2017 – Maikel Franco, 76
  • 2016 – Maikel Franco, 88
  • 2015 – Ryan Howard, 77
  • 2014 – Ryan Howard, 95
  • 2013 – Domonic Brown, 83
  • 2012 – Carlos Ruiz/Jimmy Rollins, 68

It’s astounding to realize the last Phils outfielder to lead the team in RBI was Dom Brown in 2013.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Look at the outfielders who led the team in RBI dating back to Burrell in 2005.

  • 2018 – Rhys Hoskins, 96
  • 2017 – Aaron Altherr, 65
  • 2016 – Odubel Herrera, 49
  • 2015 – Jeff Francour, 45
  • 2014 – Marlon Byrd, 85
  • 2013 – Domonic Brown, 83
  • 2012 – Hunter Pence, 59 (traded mid-year, John Mayberry had 46)
  • 2011 – Raul Ibanez, 84
  • 2010 – Jayson Werth, 85
  • 2009 – Jayson Werth, 99
  • 2008 – Pat Burrell, 86
  • 2007 – Pat Burrell, 97
  • 2006 – Pat Burrell, 95

What a list. Hopefully Harper becomes the first Phillie since Werth to lead the outfielders in RBI in back to back seasons, and hopefully he matches what Burrell did by leading outfielders in RBI from 2005-08.

Chuck Klein holds the franchise’s all-time record with 170 RBI in a season, but if you look at the modern-day players, Howard leads the way with 149 RBI in 2006. The most for an outfielder in the modern era for the franchise was Greg Luzinski’s 130 in 1977.

Next. Best Outfielders in Franchise History. dark

With 25 games left in the season and Harper averaging 1.33 RBI per game, he could creep close to Luzinski’s record.

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