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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, PA – AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies great Jim Bunning is introduced during a ceremony to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 09: Former Philadelphia Phillies great Jim Bunning is introduced during a ceremony to honor former manager Charlie Manuel who was inducted to the Phillies Wall of Fame before the start of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Three Phillies greats

14 – Del Ennis (1950), Jim Bunning (1964)

Many associate the number 14 for the Phillies with Pete Rose and his contributions from 1979 – 1983, helping to lead the Phillies to their first World Series title. However, the best seasons from a number 14 is a toss-up between Del Ennis (1950) and Jim Bunning (1964).

Ennis played for the Phillies from 1946 through 1956. He hit at least 20 home runs eight times with the Phillies, and 30 or more twice. His best overall season in a Phillies’ uniform was in 1950 during the Whiz Kids NL Championship season. Ennis hit .311 with 31 home runs and 126 RBI, all career-highs. The 126 RBI also led the National League. Ennis went on to belt 259 home runs for the Phillies and 288 overall in a 14-year career.

After five All-Star appearances for the Tigers over his first nine Major League seasons, Jim Bunning was in his first season with the Phillies in 1964. He had a tremendous season on the mound, capped off with a perfect game on Father’s Day versus the Mets, striking out 10. In 39 starts for the season, Bunning completed 15 games with seven shutouts. He compiled a record of 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA, striking out 219 in 284 1/3 innings.

Bunning went on to win 19 games in each of the next two seasons and 17 in 1967. He pitched for the Pirates and Dodgers over the next two seasons before finishing his career back with the Phillies in 1970 and 1971. Bunning retired with 224 wins and is a member of the baseball Hall of Fame.

15 – Dick Allen (1966)

After batting .292 in 24 at-bats as a 21-year old in 1963, Allen had a phenomenal rookie campaign in 1964. He hit .318 with a league-high 125 runs, 13 triples, 29 home runs and 91 RBI, winning Rookie of the Year honors.

Although Allen hit .302 the following season, his power production was down to 20 home runs. He more than made up for that in 1966, arguably the best season of his career. Allen slammed a career-best 40 home runs with 110 RBI, leading the league in slugging percentage. His efforts earned him his second of eight All-Star appearances during his career.

In three more seasons with the Phillies in his first go-around with the team, Allen surpassed the 30 home run total twice.  He went on to another All-Star season in his only with the Cardinals in 1970, hitting 34 home runs with 101 RBI.  After one season with the Dodgers, Allen made his mark in the American League, earning MVP honors with the White Sox, leading the league in home runs (37), RBI (113), walks (99), on-base percentage (.420), and slugging percentage (.603).

Two more All-Star seasons with the White Sox and Allen returned to Philadelphia in 1975, hitting 25 home runs combined over the next two years.   Allen retired with 351 home runs and many feel his absence from the Hall of Fame is a travesty.

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