Former Phillies starter Curt Schilling is pushing for a HOF nod in 2021
38 – Curt Schilling (1997)
Schilling arrived in Philadelphia as a 25-year old in 1992 after spending the first few years in the Majors Leagues in relief for the Orioles and Astros. He quickly became one of the top starters on the staff, winning 14 in 1992 and 16 for the NL Champions in 1993.
Schilling struggled in 1994 before the strike, finishing with a 2-8 record and 4.48 ERA. After going a combined 16-15 in 43 starts over the next two seasons, Schilling put together the two best seasons of his Phillies’ career.
In 1997, Schilling led the league in starts with 35 and in strikeouts with 319, while walking only 58 in 254 1/3 innings. In addition he won 17 games and completed seven with two shutouts. His efforts earned him an All-Star appearance and fourth-place votes for NL Cy Young Award.
After another 300-strikeout season and All-Star berth in 1998, Schilling went on to his third-consecutive All-Star appearance in 1999 before the Phillies traded him to the Diamondbacks in 2000.
Schilling went on to pitch three seasons in Arizona and four seasons with the Red Sox, surpassing the 20-win total three times in the process. He retired in 2007 at the age of 40 with 215 wins and 3,116 strikeouts.
39 – Mike Krukow (1982)
Krukow was a five-year Major League veteran when the Phillies traded Keith Moreland, Dickie Noles and Dan Larson for him on December 8, 1981. Krukow had previously spent his entire career with the Cubs, posting a record of 45-50 with a 4.17 ERA in 150 games.
Although he spent only one season in Philadelphia, Krukow’s efforts were solid and good enough to land him on this list. Krukow logged 208 innings, the highest single-season total of his career. In addition, he won 13 games, allowed only eight home runs and posted an ERA of 3.12. Krukow provided a steady number two many behind Steve Carlton.
As quickly as Krukow came, that’s how fast he was gone. The Phillies traded him on December 14, 1982 to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Joe Morgan and Al Holland, who would be key contributors to the 1983 NL Champions.
Krukow spent seven seasons with the Giants, including a 20-win, All-Star season in 1986. He retired in 1989 with 124 wins.