Players who should have retired as Phillies

Which MLB stars should’ve ended their careers with the Philadelphia Phillies?

Over the decades, the Philadelphia Phillies have traded or let players walk away who should’ve spent their entire careers in red pinstripes. Seeing those players go on to be successful elsewhere, and bid farewell to the game in a different uniform is painful on many levels.

Often, it’s a reminder of the franchise’s own lack of success, and the callousness of the front office and ownership, willing to part ways with fan favorites to save a buck.

The Phillies have a bad habit of signing washed-up players whose best years are behind them, but that’s not what we’re talking about here. There’s a big difference between a player’s career ending somewhat unceremoniously in Philadelphia and a longtime player who meant a lot to the organization returning to where it all began, to say goodbye in a full-circle moment. Grover Cleveland Alexander, Shane Victorino, Pat Burrell, and Brad Lidge are examples of players who did.

Here are seven players who should’ve – or still could – come back and retire with the Phillies…

Dick Allen: Retired with Oakland A’s

Dick Allen‘s playing career began before Curt Flood fought for free agency, so he didn’t have as much say in where he played as other former Phillies on this list.

In fact, Flood getting traded to the Phillies in the deal that sent Allen to St. Louis – and his determination not to play for them – is what spurred him to fight for free agency in the first place.

Allen spent nine seasons in a Phillies uniform over two stints. He made his MLB debut with the club in 1963, and demanded a trade after the 1969 season. Not wanting to play for the Atlanta Braves, he retired in 1974, but the Phillies convinced him to come back in 1975. He spent two more seasons with them, before joining the Oakland A’s in 1977. He ended his career somewhat abruptly in June, and that was that.

Steve Carlton: Retired with Minnesota Twins

Steve Carlton‘s Hall of Fame career, spent almost entirely in the National League, ended with 13 games in a Minnesota Twins uniform between 1987-88.

While Carlton got his start with the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he pitched for seven years, he spent the bulk of his career with the Phillies.

Over 15 seasons in Philadelphia, Carlton won four Cy Young awards, a Gold Glove, and was a seven-time All-Star. He helped the Phillies win their first World Series in 1980.

Carlton’s incredible career ended unceremoniously when the Twins released him in April 1988 and no team signed him for the 1989 season. He deserved better.

Cole Hamels: Not retired

While Cole Hamels claims he’s going to try for a comeback again in 2022, the outlook isn’t great, based on his last few years. He pitched in one game for the Atlanta Braves in 2020, and hasn’t appeared at the major-league level since. Heading into his age-38 season, most are skeptical he’ll ever pitch again.

Hamels was the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2002 and spent the first decade of his big-league career in Philadelphia. He finished in the top-eight in Cy Young voting four times and went to three All-Star Games as a Phillie. In 2008, he had an incredible season and led the Phillies to their second championship in franchise history.

When all is said and done, Hamels should pull a Shane Victorino and sign a one-day to retire with his first team. He still can.

Carlos ‘Chooch’ Ruiz: Retired with Seattle Mariners

In the mid-2010s, the Phillies had a nasty habit of trading longtime Phillies to the Dodgers, i.e. Rollins, Utley, and beloved catcher, Chooch.

After 11 years in a Phillies uniform, they traded Carlos Ruiz to LA in 2016. In return, the Phillies received A.J. Ellis, Tommy Bergjans, and Joey Curletta.

Ellis’ Phillies tenure was brief; he played 11 games in Philadelphia and then finished out his career in Miami and San Diego. Bergjans never debuted, and hasn’t played professionally since 2018.

The Phillies traded Curletta to the Seattle Mariners for Pat Venditte the same year they got him, and he continued to bounce around the minors until the Angels released him in May 2020. Venditte never pitched in a big-league game for the Phillies.

Meanwhile, Ruiz played 14 games for the Dodgers and then finished his career with a very random 53 games as a Mariner in 2017. When the season ended, he elected free agency, and his career was over.

Jonathan Papelbon: Has not officially retired

Despite not pitching since 2016, Jonathan Papelbon has not officially retired and says he never will, but if he changes his mind, it should be with the Phillies. He is their all-time saves leader, after all.

Papelbon signed with the Phillies in November 2011, leaving the Red Sox as their all-time saves leader, too. He was already a World Series champion and had reached 200 career saves faster than any pitcher in MLB history to that point.

His tenure in Philadelphia started off well enough; in 2012, he converted 28 saves, posted a 2.44 ERA over 70 innings with 92 strikeouts, and led the NL with 64 games finished.

But then he got hurt in 2013, his velocity dipped, and he struggled on the mound. His attitude did not endear him to Phillies fans, who booed him for blowing saves. In 2014, he was ejected for making an obscene gesture to the crowd, and suspended for seven games. When he made it clear that he would like to be traded in 2015, the Phillies had no problem sending him to Washington DC for Nick Pivetta.