Philadelphia Phillies: Ranking every MVP season in franchise history

Bryce Harper joins a short list of Phillies MVPs; here is a ranking of all eight.

Philadelphia Phillies franchise history was made Thursday evening, as star outfielder Bryce Harper was named the National League Most Valuable Player Award winner for the 2021 season.

Harper is just the sixth different Phillie all-time, and the third this millennium, to earn the prestigious Baseball Writers’ Association of America honor — joining shortstop Jimmy Rollins (2007); first baseman Ryan Howard (2006); third baseman Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986); pitcher Jim Konstanty (1950); and outfielder Chuck Klein (1932).

Fittingly, Schmidt (the only Phillies player to be named MVP multiple times) virtually presented the National League MVP award to Harper, as it was announced on MLB Network. The Las Vegas native earned his first MVP award as a 22-year-old with the division-rival Washington Nationals in 2015.

Nearly 90 years have passed since a Phillies outfielder was last named MVP — the Hall of Famer Klein in his age 27 season in 1932. Harper shined in his age 28 season, his third in red pinstripes since signing a then-MLB-record contract in early March 2019. Ten years still remain on Harper’s deal and, to the hope of Phillies fans, many more MVP-caliber seasons will surely follow.

This marks Harper’s most recent recognition in an already awards-filled offseason for the veteran. In recent weeks, Harper also was named an MLBPA Outstanding Player, as well as recognized with well-regarded Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger Award honors.

The franchise now has eight MVP awards overall in their trophy display case. Here is a ranking on each of them, starting with the can’t-miss, powerful season from the “Big Piece.”

1. Ryan Howard, 2006

Ryan Howard, known otherwise as the “Big Piece,” had a remarkable 2006 season — just his first full season in the major leagues. He became the second player in Major League Baseball history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in consecutive seasons, joining Cal Ripken Jr. in 1982-83.

In 2006, Howard set Phillies single-season records for home runs (58) and intentional walks (37). His 58 blasts tied the Philadelphia MLB record for single-season home runs, as the Philadelphia A’s Jimmie Fox hit as many in 1932.

Before 2006, only five other players hit more home runs than Howard in a season: Barry Bonds (73, 2001); Mark McGwire (70, 1998; and 65, 1999); Sammy Sosa (66, 1998; 64, 2001; and 63, 1999); Roger Maris (61, 1961); and Babe Ruth (60, 1927; and 59, 1921). It wasn’t until 2017 that an NL player would tie or surpass Howard; Giancarlo Stanton won NL MVP with the Marlins by hitting 59.

Among sophomore players, Howard set an MLB record for most home runs and a National League record for the most RBIs (149), bested only by Joe DiMaggio in the majors (167, 1937).

But Howard just did not provide eye-opening numbers in the home run and RBI categories, however. He also led the majors in total bases (383) and times on base (299). In the National League, the St. Louis native finished second in slugging percentage (.659) and tied for second in extra-base hits (84), among many other impressive feats.

Howard’s Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron Award and Home Run Derby Champion honors, were three of his many other well-deserved hardware that season. The former fifth-round draft pick’s 10.02 home run ratio (also an MLB-best achievement in 2006) made watching his at-bats — either in-person at Citizens Bank Park or at home on the television — can’t-miss.

2. Mike Schmidt, 1980

Just five weeks after leading the Phillies to their first World Series title in franchise history — as well as being named the World Series MVP — Mike Schmidt was honored with his first of three National League Most Valuable Player Awards.

Entering the 1980 season, Schmidt had already led the National League in home runs three times, appeared in four All-Star Games, and earned as many Gold Glove Awards. Really, the only other better feats the Ohio native needed were a World Series ring and MVP hardware — and he achieved them both in 1980.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America awarded Schmidt 24 first-place votes, making him the first unanimous National League Most Valuable Player since Orlando Cepeda in 1967. Since then, Jeff Bagwell (1994), Ken Caminiti (1996), Barry Bonds (2002), Albert Pujols (2009), and Bryce Harper (2015) have achieved the same.

In 1980, Schmidt set the record for most home runs among third baseman in a single season, 48, as well as slugged a career-high 121 RBI. His 342 total bases led the majors, while his .624 slugging percentage and 1.004 OPS led the National League.

Schmidt’s 1980 season essentially was exactly the midpoint of his 18-year career, all spent in a Phillies uniform. He, Ryan Howard (13 seasons), and Larry Christenson (11 seasons) are the only three players that have played more than 10 seasons solely with the franchise.

Schmidt’s 1980 MVP honors only cemented his legacy as one of the best, if not the best, third basemen in Major League Baseball history.

3. Bryce Harper, 2021

Bryce Harper had a season to remember in 2021. He became only the fourth outfielder in MLB history with at least 100 runs, 100 walks, 40 doubles, and 35 home runs in a season, joining Babe Ruth (1921, 1923); Stan Musial (1949); and Barry Bonds (1998). Additionally, since the first MLB All-Star Game was held in 1933, only two other players bested Harper’s 49 extra-base hits and 65 walks in the second half — Bonds (2001) and Jimmie Fox (1938).

Starting in each of the Phillies’ final 72 games of the season, Harper is the first MLB player to slash at least .300/.400/.700 after the All-Star Break (minimum 300 plate appearances) since Bonds (2001), Sammy Sosa (2001), and Ryan Howard (2006).

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Harper earns his second career Most Valuable Player Award honor and his first since the 2015 season, then a member of the Washington Nationals. National League MVPs between now and then included third baseman Kris Bryant (2016, Chicago Cubs); outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (2017, Miami Marlins); outfielder Christian Yelich (2018, Milwaukee Brewers); outfielder Cody Bellinger (2019, Los Angeles Dodgers); and first baseman Freddie Freeman (2020, Atlanta Braves).

Earlier this offseason, Phillies Managing Partner John Middleton said that the organization “could not be happier” to have Harper as he continues to “leave his indelible mark” in Major League Baseball. Middleton added: “When we first signed Bryce, we knew we were getting one of the best in the game.

Surely, the best is yet to come for Harper in red pinstripes.

4. Jimmy Rollins, 2007

Eventual Phillies franchise hits leader Jimmy Rollins was a significant factor in the club snapping its postseason drought in the 2007 season. And their “Red October” appearance — albeit brief after being swept in the NLDS by the Colorado Rockies — ultimately set up their World Series championship run the following year.

Rollins is one of six shortstops to ever win National League MVP honors, joining Marty Marion (1944, St. Louis Cardinals); Ernie Banks (1958-59, Chicago Cubs); Dick Groat (1960, Pittsburgh Pirates); Maury Wills (1962, Los Angeles Dodgers); and Barry Larkin (1995, Cincinnati Reds).

In 2007, Rollins became the first player in MLB history to record 200 hits, 15 triples, 25 home runs, and 25 stolen bases in the same season. He also became just the fourth-ever player to record 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a season, joining Frank Schulte (1911), Willie Mays (1957), and Curtis Granderson (2007).

That year, Rollins also set career highs in games (162), hits (212), home runs (30), RBI (94), triples (20), total bases (380), extra-base hits (88), and at-bats (716). The Oakland, California, native’s at-bats statistic notably set a new MLB record, previously set by Willie Wilson in 1980 (705).

Rollins additionally set all-time shortstop records for the National League specifically, with his 139 runs scored and 88 extra-base hits. Only Alex Rodriguez had more of the latter (91 for the 1996 Seattle Mariners).

Similar to Bryce Harper in 2021, Rollins’ trophy case was filled with many other honors from the 2007 season. Rollins was named the 2007 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards winner at shortstop.

In a season in which Rollins homered on Opening Day in his 4,000th career at-bat, it just seemed like nothing could stop the 1996 second-round draft pick from being a difference-maker in red pinstripes.