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Are these 3 Phillies legends Hall of Famers or just Phillies legends?

By Gabrielle Starr

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 13: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 13, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 13: Jonathan Papelbon #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 13, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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With this week’s Hall of Fame induction officially over, the focus shifts to the recently-retired MLB players who will be on the ballot this winter for the first time.

Some of the best players in recent MLB history will be ballot rookies, including a few former Philadelphia Phillies. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Jonathan Papelbon will all get their first shot at enshrinement in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1436071333973020686?s=20

There are currently only 11 players in the Hall of Fame whose ‘Primary Team’ was the Phillies, though Baseball-Reference’s list includes players like Roy Halladay and Pedro Martinez, who played for the Phillies but did not enter the Hall as Phillies:

  • Grover Cleveland Alexander, Pitcher (1938)
  • Richie Ashburn, Centerfielder (1995)
  • Dave Bancroft, Shortstop (1971)
  • Steve Carlton, Pitcher (1994)
  • Ed Delahanty, Left Fielder (1945)
  • Billy Hamilton, Outfielder (1961)
  • Chuck Klein, Right Fielder (1980)
  • Robin Roberts, Pitcher (1976)
  • Mike Schmidt, Third Baseman (1995)
  • Sam Thompson, Right Fielder (1974)
  • Harry Wright, Executive (1953)

According to the Hall of Fame rules, the criteria for voting are as follows:

"“5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. 6. Automatic Elections: No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted.”"

So, let’s break it down. Are any of these three beloved Phillies legends Cooperstown-caliber, or are they just beloved Phillies legends?

Is Ryan Howard a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

Ryan Howard spent his entire career with one team, which nowadays is an achievement in and of itself.

He’s a shoo-in for the Phillies Wall of Fame, but is he a Hall of Famer?

In his 13-year big-league career, the Big Piece filled his trophy case: NL Rookie of the Year in 2005, NL MVP and Silver Slugger in 2006, top-10 in MVP voting every season from 2007-11, three-time All-Star, Home Run Derby champion, Major League Player of the Year, NLCS MVP, and World Series champion.

Howard led all of MLB in total bases once, home runs twice, and RBI three times between 2006-2009. He hit 200 home runs in his first 658 games, making him the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 200 mark.

On the Phillies All-Time leaderboards, Howard breaks into the top-ten in slugging (6th), games played (7th), at-bats (10th), plate appearances (8th), total bases (5th), doubles (10th), RBI (3rd), walks (7th), runs created (8th), and extra-base hits (4th). Most notably, the only player in franchise history with more home runs than Howard (382) is Mike Schmidt (548).

Per the voting guidelines, Howard’s contributions to his team are indisputable. His early years ushered in the Phillies’ Golden Era, their second championship in franchise history, and five consecutive division titles. But his record and playing ability are tarnished by the way his career deteriorated due to injury, which is unfortunate.

Overall, Howard doesn’t feel like a first-ballot inductee, but I think he gets in eventually. He’d be the first Phillies first baseman to be enshrined in the Hall, and that feels right.

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