That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies All-Decade Team of the 2010s: Breaking down the legends

By George Stockburger

Game One of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2009 (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Game One of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2009 (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Joe West #22 after Papelbon was ejected from the game after making an obscene gesture while leaving the field after the final out in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins in a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Joe West #22 after Papelbon was ejected from the game after making an obscene gesture while leaving the field after the final out in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins in a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Relief pitchers

While the Phillies bullpen hasn’t been great in recent years, they’ve had several very quality relievers come through.

Jonathan Papelbon

You can’t write the history of Philadelphia’s bullpen without including Jonathan Papelbon, the franchise’s all-time saves leader. The wacky closer set the record of 126 saves in just three and a half dominant seasons with Philadelphia. In 234 games he had a 2.31 ERA, but his antics got the best of him and he became a villain amongst the fanbase.

Hector Neris

While his inconsistency has led to a mixed relationship with fans, Hector Neris has had several dominant stretches during his six years with the Phillies. Now the longest-tenured member of the team, Neris had 67 saves and 395 strikeouts during the last decade.

Brad Lidge

The hero of the 2008 season, Brad Lidge bounced back from a rough 2009 to have a 2.49 ERA in his last 75 games in Philadelphia with 28 saves and 75 strikeouts. With a dominant slider, Lidge worked his way into the Phillies record book despite only a couple of years wearing red pinstripes.

Ryan Madson

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Designated as the “Bridge to Lidge” in 2008, Ryan Madson took on the closer role when Lidge’s body began to wear down. Madson was dominant in his two seasons during the 2010’s, working a 2.45 ERA and saving 37 games in 117 appearances.

Ken Giles

Thought to be the Phillies closer of the future, Ken “100 Mile” Giles was electric during his rookie season with Philadelphia with a 1.18 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 44 games. His rookie performance earned him a fourth place finish in the Rookie of the Year vote. Giles would eventually take over as the full-time closer late in 2015, saving 15 games with a 1.80 ERA in 69 games.

Antonio Bastardo

Antonio Bastardo had some wicked pitches during his time with the Phillies, but his seasons varied in success. His best year came in 2011 with a 2.64 ERA in 64 games with eight save and 2013 with a 2.32 ERA. In 269 appearances Bastardo had 305 strikeouts, the second-most in the decade behind Neris.

Pat Neshek

During his two stints in Philadelphia, Pat Neshek was surprisingly dominant with a 2.40 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 93 games. Injuries sidelined his career in the second half of his tenure with the Phillies, but when he was on, Neshek was just as outstanding as he was wacky on the mound.

Honorable Mentions: Victor Arano, Jake Diekman, Seranthony Dominguez, Mike Adams, Michael Stutes (when healthy), Jeanman Gomez (just his 2016 37 save season), Wilson Valdez (just for laughs)

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