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Phillies: Best individual pitching seasons by age

CHICAGO - UNDATED 1981: Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Carlton played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1986. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - UNDATED 1981: Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Carlton played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1986. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 31: Past player and Hall of Fame starting left-handed pitcher Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies is introduced during the Pat Burrell “Wall of Fame” Induction ceremony before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 9-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Age 26: Mitch Williams (1991)

Known as “The Wild Thing”,  Williams lived up to his nickname over the course of his career, but was relatively effective most of the time despite his inaccuracy. During his first four seasons with the Rangers, Williams compiled a 3.70 ERA, striking out 280 while walking 220 in 274 2/3 innings.

After a 36-save season with an ERA of 2.76 with the Cubs that earned Williams his only All-Star appearance, Williams struggled to a 1-8 record with an ERA approaching four in 1990. The Phillies acquired Williams in a trade for Chuck McElroy and Bob Scanlan on April 7, 1991.

During the 1991 campaign, Williams put together the finest season of his career. He posted a 12-5 record with 30 saves and a 2.34 ERA. The 26-year old lefty struck out 84 and allowed only 56 hits in 88 1/3 innings. His efforts were good enough for 6th place votes for NL Cy Young Award.

Williams saved 29 in 1992 and a career-high 43 for the 1993 NL Championship team. Sadly, he is remembered by many mostly for giving up the World Series ending home run to Joe Carter. To his defense, Williams along with the rest of the Phillies bullpen, had dead arms at that point of playoffs.

Williams was never the same pitcher, struggling to a 1-7 record with an ERA of 7.96 with the Astros, Angels, and Royals, last appearing in the Major Leagues in 1997.

Age 27: Steve Carlton (1972)

Arguably the best pitcher for the Phillies in the modern era,  Steve Carlton undoubtedly had to make this list.  Any of his four Cy Young Award-winning seasons could have been picked, but there is no denying 1972 was one for the ages.

After coming over from the Cardinals in a trade for Rick Wise, Carlton dominated the opposition for a team that won only 59 games all season.  Carlton five of his first six decisions with two shutouts along the way. In very uncharacteristic fashion, Carlton dropped six consecutive starts, not earning a win for an entire month.

Carlton went on a run seldom matched in  MLB history, winning his next 15 decisions with 15 complete games and five shutouts in the process. He sat at 20-7 with still 47 games remaining in the season. Carlton completed his last eight starts with another shutout, finishing the brilliant 1972 season with a 27-10 record, 1.97 ERA, 346 1/3 innings, 30 complete games, and 310 strikeouts.  He was the unanimous choice for NL Cy Young Award, the first of four for “Lefty”.

Carlton pitched for the Phillies into the 1986 season and retired in 1988 with 329 wins, 4136 strikeouts, 254 complete games, 55 shutouts and an ERA of 3.15

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