That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Best Individual Seasons By Uniform Number (41 – 50)

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1978: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1978: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21, 1980: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with the Media after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game six of the 1980 World Series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won the series 4 games to 2. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975- 84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21, 1980: Pitcher Tug McGraw #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with the Media after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game six of the 1980 World Series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won the series 4 games to 2. McGraw played for the Phillies from 1975- 84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

45 – Tug McGraw (1980)

Tug McGraw appeared in 37 games with the Mets as a rookie, posting an ERA of 3.32 in 97 1/3 innings.  After a 4-19 start over the first three seasons, McGraw spent the 1968 season in Triple-A.

McGraw went 9-3 with 12 saves in 42 appearances with an ERA of 2.24 for the 1969 Mets World Series title team.  McGraw was one  of the best relievers in baseball in 1971 and 1972, posting identical 1.70 ERA, logging 217 innings with only 144 hits allowed.

The Phillies acquired McGraw along with Don Hahn, and Dave Schneck for Del Unser, John Stearns, and Mac Scarce. McGraw immediately paid dividends in 1975,  earning an All-Star berth and went 9-6 with 14 saves and a 2.98 ERA.

McGraw was a mainstay in the Phillies bullpen, posting solid numbers through most of the late 1970s. His best season out of the bullpen was in 1980, finishing fifth in the NL Cy Young voting after saving 20 with a thin 1.46 ERA in 92 1/3 innings.  He was even more impressive in the World Series, striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings with an ERA of 1.17.

He will forever be remembered in Philadelphia for striking out Willie Wilson to end the 1980 World Series.

46 – Kevin Gross (1985)

Kevin Gross was drafted by the Phillies 11th overall in 1981 and made his Major League debut on June 25, 1983, earning a win against the Mets.  He displayed poise and promise during 17 games that season, posting a 4-6 record with a 3.56 ERA in 96 innings.

He appeared in 44 games in 1984, earning a record of 8-5 with a 4.12 ERA with one complete game and one save.  Gross came into his own in 1985 and put together the best overall season of his career. In 38 games, 31 as a starter, he posted a 15-13 record with a 3.41 ERA. Gross logged 205 2/3 innings and struck out 151.

Gross went 33-42 over three more seasons with the Phillies, including an All-Star appearance in 1988.  He was traded on December 6, 1988, to the Montreal Expos in exchange for Floyd Youmans and Jeff Parrett.

After two seasons with the Expos, Gross was off to Los Angeles, pitching four seasons with the Dodgers, winning 13 in 1993. Gross closed out a 15-year career with two seasons with the Rangers and one with the Angels, retiring with 142 wins and a 4.11 ERA.

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