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Phillies All-Decade Team 1970s: Homegrown Talent at the Forefront

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1980: Pitcher Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carlton played for the Phillies from 1972-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1980: Pitcher Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carlton played for the Phillies from 1972-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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CIRCA 1980’s: Left to Right, infielder Larry Bowa #10, infielder Mike Schmidt #20, outfielder Pete Rose #14 and infielder Manny Trillo #6, of the Philadelphia Phillies pose for a photo before a spring training MLB baseball game circa early 1980’s. Rose Played for the Phillies from 1979-83, Bowa from 1970-81, Schmidt from 1972-89, Trillo from 1979-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CIRCA 1980’s: Left to Right, infielder Larry Bowa #10, infielder Mike Schmidt #20, outfielder Pete Rose #14 and infielder Manny Trillo #6, of the Philadelphia Phillies pose for a photo before a spring training MLB baseball game circa early 1980’s. Rose Played for the Phillies from 1979-83, Bowa from 1970-81, Schmidt from 1972-89, Trillo from 1979-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

The Phillies began to bud into a contender in the 1970’s thanks to some tremendous homegrown talent

The 1970s started out poorly for the Phillies, finishing fifth or sixth each of the first four seasons. However, the acquisition of Steve Carlton in 1972 and homegrown talent of Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Larry Christenson, Greg Luzinski, and Mike Schmidt paved the way for the first great era of Phillies baseball in franchise history.

Let’s take a look at the Phillies all-decade team for the 1970s.

Deron Johnson

Johnson played for four different teams over his first eight Major League seasons before being sold by the Braves to the Phillies on December 3, 1968.  After 17 home runs and 80 RBI in 1969, Johnson two of the best seasons to follow.

In 1970, Johnson earned some MVP consideration after hitting .256 with 28 doubles, 27 home runs, and 93 RBI.  Outdoing himself in 1971, Johnson belted a career-best 34 home runs, 29 doubles, and 95 RBI, while hitting a solid .265.

Still hitting for a decent amount of power as a platoon player in 1972, Johnson’s average dipped to .217.  After hitting just .167 in 44 at-bats, he was traded to the Oakland A’s on May 2, 1973 in exchange for Jack Bastable.

During his time in Philadelphia, Johnson posted a batting average of .251 with 82 doubles, 88 home runs, and 304 RBI.   In 16 Major League season with seven different teams, Johnson hit .254 with 1066 hits, 186 home runs, and 680 RBI.

Honorable mention: Rich Hebner

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