Phillies 1980's All-Decade Team: Hall of Fame Legends Lead the Way

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CHICAGO – 1987: Steve Bedrosian of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois in August 1987. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Steve Bedrosian

Bedrosian was traded to the Phillies from the Atlanta Braves along with Milt Thompson for Ozzie Virgil and Pete Smith on December 10, 1985. Immediately stepping into the closer role, Bedrosian put together a solid 1986 season, winning eight and saving 29 with a 3.39 ERA.

The 1987 season started rough for Bedrosian, going 2-1 with two blown saves and an ERA of 11.05 ERA as of April 18. Mike Schmidt’s dramatic 500th home run on that day to give the Phillies and 8-6 win after a blow save could have turned Bedrosian’s season around.

The rest of the way Bedrosian was stellar, finishing with 5-3 record, 40 saves, 74 strikeouts in 89 innings, and a 2.83 ERA. He made his first and only All-Star team and won the Cy Young Award, a rarity for a relief pitcher.

Still posting a solid save total of 28 in 1988, Bedrosian’s ERA ballooned to 3.75. After a 3.21 ERA in 28 games for a woeful Phillies team in 1989, Bedrosian was traded to the San Francisco Giants along with Rick Parker for Terry Mulholland, Charlie Hayes, and Dennis Cook.

Bedrosian ended his run in Philadelphia with 21 wins, 103 saves and an ERA of 3.29.