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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PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1976: Dick Allen #15 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Willie Stargell #8 of the Pittsburgh Pirates stand next to each other during an Major League Baseball game circa 1976 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Allen played for the Phillies from 1963-69 and 1975-76. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1976: Dick Allen #15 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Willie Stargell #8 of the Pittsburgh Pirates stand next to each other during an Major League Baseball game circa 1976 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Allen played for the Phillies from 1963-69 and 1975-76. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Age 34: Dick Allen (1976)

Allen is one of the most underappreciated players in Major League history. A former Rookie of the Year and 1972 AL MVP, Allen was a seven-time All-Star who led the league in home runs twice.  He hit at least 20 home runs in a season 10 times, six times surpassing 30 with a high of 40 in 1966. Despite the numbers, Allen has fallen short of the Hall of Fame.

Starting his Major League career with the Phillies in 1963, Allen made three consecutive All-Star teams from 1965 through 1967, leading the league in slugging percentage and OPS in 1967. After two more 30-plus home run campaigns in 1968 and 1969, Allen was traded to the Cardinals.Allen posted a third consecutive 30-plus home run season in 1970 and three most All-Star seasons with the White Sox in 1972-1974.

Allen returned to Philadelphia in 1975 and put together a solid 1976 season at the age of 34. Although playing in only about half the games, Allen hit 16 doubles, 15 home runs and 49 RBI.  He makes this list more for his overall undervalued contributions than this single season. Allen did, however, provide veteran leadership for the upcoming team that started being an NL force for the next several years, culminating in the 1980 World Series title.

Age 35: Placido Polanco (2011)

Polanco spent his first five Major League seasons with the Cardinals before his first run with the Phillies that produced some of his finest seasons at the plate. In 2003 Polanco hit 14 home runs with 63 RBI. The following year, Polanco belted 17 home runs, who proved to be his career-hight.

With the emergence of Chase Utley, Polanco became expendable, moving on the Tigers during the 2005 season. He had his best overall season in 2007, hitting .341 with 200 hits, 100 runs scored, 36 doubles, an All-Star appearance and Gold Glove Award.

Returning to the Phillies in 2010, Polanco hit .298 with 27 doubles and 52 RBI in 132 games. The following season, Polanco earned his second All-Star appearance and won his third Gold Glove Award. The 35-year old posted a solid .277 average with 50 RBI, 14 doubles and a .977 fielding percentage at third base, well above the league average of .954.

Polanco concluded a 16-year career with the Marlins in 2013, retiring with 2142 hits, 348 doubles, and a .297 batting average.

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