That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Top individual seasons in team history by age

By Kerry Kauffman

Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON – AUGUST 31: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits his 49th home run of the season giving him the Phillies single season record, previously held by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (1980), in the baseball game against the Washington Nationals on August 31, 2006 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. The Nationals won in 10 innings 6-5. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – AUGUST 31: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits his 49th home run of the season giving him the Phillies single season record, previously held by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (1980), in the baseball game against the Washington Nationals on August 31, 2006 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. The Nationals won in 10 innings 6-5. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Age 26: Ryan Howard (2006)

Howard had 39 at-bats during the 2004 season while veteran Jim Thome was still hitting bombs at the rate of 40-plus per season. The injury to Thome the following season opened the door for Howard, who proceeded to smash 22 home runs in 88 games to earn Rookie of the Year honors.

In 2006, Howard had a season for the ages. Not only did he surpass Mike Schmidt’s single-season franchise home run mark, he did so easily, finishing with 58 home runs to lead the league. He also led the league with 149 RBI, hitting .313 in the process. Howard’s efforts made him an easy MVP choice in just his second full season.

Howard continued is power dominance the next three seasons, hitting 47, 48 and 45 home runs, respectively.  Although still productive with 64 home runs combined in 2010 and 2011, Howard’s torn Achilles during the final out of the 2011 NLCS slowed Howard’s production to a mere crawl. He managed just 25 home runs over the next two seasons combined, missing nearly half the games.  Howard struggled mightily against lefties, particularly over the final three seasons of his major league career, hitting just .196 in his final campaign in 2016.

Howard retired second in franchise history with 382 home runs, to go along with 1194 RBI.

Age 27: Von Hayes (1986)

Hayes came over to the Phillies in the infamous “5 for 1” deal with the Cleveland Indians that involved Manny Trillo and most notably Julio Franco. Hayes had five-tool potential and although never living up to the enormity of the deal, had some very good seasons in a Phillies uniform.

The 1986 season was one of Hayes’ best. He led the league in runs scored with 107 and in doubles with 46. In addition, Hayes jacked 19 home runs with 98 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and a .305 batting average. He earned considering for NL MVP, finishing seventh.

After a 21-home run season in 1987, Hayes had an off-year in 1988 but rebounded to hit a career-high 26 home runs with 101 walks and 28 stolen bases in 1989. After his first and only All-Star appearance,  Hayes had a final productive season in 1990 before injuries took their toll.

Hayes struggled to start the 1991 season and his season came to a halt in June after a broken arm. The final numbers were woeful: .225, 0 home runs, 21 RBI in 284 at-bats.  After a trade to the Angels, Hayes finished his career in 1992, hitting .225 with four home runs in 307 at-bats.

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