That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Players who started here but had great success elsewhere

By Kerry Kauffman

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 29: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 29, 2018 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 29: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 29, 2018 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – 1981: Ryne Sandberg #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies waits in the batting cage before a game at Veterans Stadium during the 1981 season. (Photofile/MLB Archives via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – 1981: Ryne Sandberg #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies waits in the batting cage before a game at Veterans Stadium during the 1981 season. (Photofile/MLB Archives via Getty Images) /

Ryne Sandberg 

A 20th round draft pick by the Phillies out of Spokane, Washington in 1978, Ryne Sandberg was assigned to the Helena Rookie League team, batting .311 as an 18-year old. Working his way through the farm system, Sandberg made his Major League debut with the Phillies on September 2, 1981 as a pinch-runner for Bob Boone. All told, Sandberg went 1-for-6 with two runs scored in 13 games during his cup of coffee that season.

Sandberg was traded to the Cubs along with Larry Bowa for Ivan DeJesus on January 27, 1982. DeJesus went on to have a few average seasons with the Phillies, while Sandberg put together a Hall of Fame career, going down as one of the worst trades in franchise history.

MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Manager Ryne Sandberg #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his team prepare to play against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 23, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 4-0. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Manager Ryne Sandberg #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his team prepare to play against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 23, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 4-0. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

In his first season with the Cubs, Sandberg hit .271 with seven home runs and 54 RBI. He won his first of nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 1983.  The first All-Star appearance for Sandberg came in 1984, and he locked down MVP honors as well, hitting .314 with 36 doubles, 19 triples, and 19 home runs.

Sandberg had a power surge in 1990, belting a career-high and league 40 home runs to go along with his first of two consecutive 100 RBI seasons.  After 26 home runs in both 1991 and 1992, injuries limited Sandberg to 174 games over the next two seasons.  Not playing in 1995, Sandberg returned for two final seasons, hitting .244 with 25 home runs in 1996 and .264 with 12 home runs in 1997.

Sandberg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 and returned to the Phillies organization as manager of Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2011. He was the Phillies third base coach after the 2012 season and managed the Phillies in parts of 2013 through part of 2015 before resigning, compiling a record of 119-159.

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