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Phillies Best Individual Seasons By Uniform Number (11 – 20)

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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PHILADELPHIA – August 4: Billy Wagner of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on August 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 6-4. (Photo by Robert Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – August 4: Billy Wagner of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on August 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 6-4. (Photo by Robert Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Phillies closer Billy Wagner remains an underrated player in baseball history

12 – Glenn Wilson (1985)

Wilson hit 25 home runs with 99 RBI in two seasons with the Tigers before the Phillies acquired him along with Jock Wockenfuss for Guillermo Hernandez and Dave Bergman on March 24, 1984. In his first season with the Phillies, Wilson hit a lackluster .240 with six home runs and 31 RBI in 363 at-bats.

The next season, the 26-year old Wilson put together the best season of his career. Earning his only All-Star appearance, Wilson hit .275 with 39 doubles, 14 home runs, and 102 RBI. He set career-highs in runs, hits, doubles, RBI, games, and at-bats. In addition, Wilson displayed a great arm in rightfield, tallying 18 assists.

Wilson continued to play for the Phillies through 1987, hitting a combined 29 home runs and 138 RBI with 38 outfield assists over the final two seasons. He was traded to the Mariners along with Mike Jackson and Dave Brundage for Phil Bradley and Tim Fortugno on December 7, 1987.

Although Wilson stayed in the Major Leagues over the next several seasons, spending time in Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Houston, his best years were with the Phillies. Wilson’s last Major League game was June 14, 1993, and retired with 1,098 hits and 98 home runs.

13 – Billy Wagner (2005)

Wagner had an impressive resume during his first nine Major League seasons with the Astros. One of the most dominating closers of his time, Wagner twice had an ERA under two, three times struck out at least 100 batters in a season and five times saved over thirty games. This was all prior to the Phillies acquiring him for Brandon Duckworth, Taylor Buchholz, and Ezequiel Astacio on November 3, 2003.

During Wagner’s first season with the Phillies, the flame-throwing lefty went 4-0 in 45 games with 21 saves and a 2.45 ERA, striking out 59 while walking only six in 48 1/3 innings. In 2005, Wagner made his fourth All-Star game and had a spectacular season. In 75 games, Wagner completed a league-leading 70 with 38 saves and a slim ERA of 1.51. He allowed only 45 hits in 77 2/3 innings, striking out 87.

Granted free agency following the season, Wagner signed with the Mets, making All-Star appearances in 2007 and 2008.  After pitching in only 17 games in 2009 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Wagner pitched one final season in 2010, going 7-2 with a 1.43 ERA with 37 saves with the Braves. Wagner retired with  47 wins, 422 saves, and an ERA of 2.31 in 853 appearances.

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