That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies 1980’s All-Decade Team: Hall of Fame Legends Lead the Way

By Kerry Kauffman

CHICAGO - 1987: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies fields during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1987 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - 1987: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies fields during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1987 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1982: Ivan DeJesus #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a Major League Baseball game circa 1982 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DeJesus played for the Phillies from 1982-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1982: Ivan DeJesus #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a Major League Baseball game circa 1982 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DeJesus played for the Phillies from 1982-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Ivan DeJesus

Larry Bowa is the second-best shortstop in franchise history behind Jimmy Rollins, but played only two seasons with the Phillies in the 1980’s, therefore doesn’t make this list.  The position was not a strong point during this decade with Steve Jeltz playing in a decade-high 653 games at shortstop. However, a .213 hitter with little power and mediocre defense cannot make this list.

Therefore, Ivan DeJesus, the man who the Phillies gave up Bowa and Ryne Sandberg for, is the default choice.  Often seen as one of the worst trades in Phillies history, DeJesus manned the position from 1982 through 1984, which was his last as a starter in the Major Leagues.

In 1982, DeJesus had a .239 batting average with 21 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 59 RBI. He followed with a .254 average with four home runs and 45 RBI for the NL Champions in 1983. In his final campaign with the team, DeJesus had hit best average for the Phillies at .257 but failed to hit a home run with only 35 RBI in 484 at-bats.

DeJesus was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals along with Bill Campbell on April 6, 1985 for relief pitcher Dave Rucker. In 15 Major League seasons with seven different teams, DeJesus hit .254 with 1167 hits and 194 stolen bases.

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