That Balls Outta Here
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The ultimate Phillies Field of Dreams starting nine

By Gabrielle Starr

Aug 12, 2021; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; The right field foul pole from behind the corn for the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Field of Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2021; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; The right field foul pole from behind the corn for the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Field of Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies Field of Dreams infield

Phillies Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images) /

First base: Ryan Howard

Howard’s torn Achilles is considered to be one of, if not the most devastating injuries in Phillies history. That it came on a game-ending groundout in Game 5 of the 2011 NLDS only makes it more tragic.

The former Rookie of the Year, MVP, and World Series champion had been astounding in the first seven years of his career: 286 home runs, 864 RBI, a .275/.368/.560 and .928 OPS in 1,027 games. He led all of MLB in home runs twice, RBI three times, and total bases once. After the Achilles, the only category he led MLB in was strikeouts in 2014.

Howard’s injury is considered the beginning of the end of a Phillies dynasty that had won five consecutive division titles and their second championship in franchise history.

To see “The Big Piece” young and healthy again in the Iowa cornfields would bring immense joy.

Second base: Chase Utley

What would an ultimate Phillies team be without Chase Utley?

Utley is one of many whose incredible career was beset by injuries, and it hurt when he returned to Philadelphia in a Dodgers uniform and hit two home runs in his first game, including a grand slam.

A Field of Dreams game includes Utley back in a Phillies uniform, healthy knee and all.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins

Sorry to Larry Bowa, but Jimmy Rollins gets the start in Iowa. The Phillies’ all-time hits and doubles leader needs to bring his Gold Glove skills to the ultimate Phillies game.

Over 15 years with the Phillies, Rollins led the NL in triples four times, in stolen bases in 2001, was the NL MVP in 2007, and won back-to-back-to-back Gold Gloves between 2007-09.

Like Utley, Rollins finished his career with another team, so it would be amazing to see him back in red pinstripes.

Third base: Mike Schmidt

Duh? Schmidt is the Phillies’ all-time leader in a dozen or so categories, including WAR among position players, Offensive WAR, Defensive WAR, runs scored, total bases, home runs, RBI, walks, to name a few.

During his 18-year career, all as a Phillie, Schmidt was a twelve-time All-Star, ten-time Gold Glove, six-time Silver Slugger, three-time MVP, and the World Series MVP in the Phillies’ first-ever championship. He’s also played more games than any other Phillie, so how can you play a Field of Dreams game without him?

Catcher: Darren Daulton

Darren Daulton is another beloved Phillies player who died far too young. He passed away from brain cancer in August 2017, after a lengthy battle with the disease.

Daulton was a leader in the Phillies’ clubhouse, who persevered through nine knee surgeries during his career, long before his battle with cancer. He led the Phillies to their 1993 pennant, won a Silver Slugger and led the NL in RBI in 1992.

Daulton spent all but the second half of his final MLB season with the Phillies, before they traded him to the Florida Marlins in 1997. While it meant that Daulton didn’t get to retire a Phillie, it meant he ended his MLB career as a World Series champion.

Daulton should get to play one last game in a Phillies uniform.

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