Phillies All-Decade Team 1970s: Legends lead the way

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

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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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 1980: Darrell Porter of the Kansas City Royals slides into home and upends Bob Boone of the Philadelphia Phillies during the World Series at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri in October of 1980. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) /

Bob Boone

Boone was called up by the Phillies in 1972, going 14-or-57 with a home run in 16 games. He flourished as a rookie in 1973, batting .261 with 20 doubles, 11 home runs, and 61 RBI, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.

After two solid seasons in 1974 and 1975, Boone made his first All-Star team in 1976 when he hit .271 with four home runs and 54 RBI. He was among the best defensively in the league, committing just four errors for a .993 fielding percentage.

Known more for his defensive ability, Boone had his two most productive offensive seasons in 1977 and 1978, hitting a combined .284 with 44 doubles, eight triples, 23 home runs, and 128 RBI. He was recognized for his efforts in 1978 with his first Gold Glove Award and second All-Star appearance.

Boone repeated at an All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner in 1979 after posting a .286 average, his highest in a Phillies uniform. He threw out 44 percent of would-be base stealers, well above the league average of 34 percent.

Boone’s tenure with the Phillies ended following the 1981 season when he was sold to the California Angels. During the 1970s Boone hit .268 with 788 hits, 142 doubles, and 52 home runs to go along with two Gold Glove Awards.