The most legendary Phillies third basemen of all time

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Who are the greatest third basemen in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history?

In the long and storied history of the Philadelphia Phillies, there have been quite a few legendary players.

Since MLB is still locked out and teams can’t sign anyone new or make trades, we’re looking back at the most legendary players to ever wear the Phillies uniform. We started with starting pitchers, then called to the bullpen, followed by catchers, first base, second, short, and now third.

Discussing this position is particularly timely, as Alec Bohm struggled mightily at the hot corner in 2021.

But since the lockout has basically rendered Bohm nonexistent for the time being, here are the five most legendary third basemen in Phillies history…

5. Placido Polanco, Phillies 2002-05, 10-12

Ironically, Placido Polanco is linked to another third baseman on this list, as he came to the Phillies from the Cardinals in the Scott Rolen trade.

Though Polanco played a lot of second base during his first stint with the Phillies, he moved to third when he returned in 2010, as Chase Utley was playing second.

Polanco really was quite excellent in Philadelphia. Over seven years (his most with any team), he slashed .289/.341/.398 with a .739 OPS. His second and final All-Star season and third Gold Glove came with the Phillies in 2011, their most recent NL East champion season.

BROOKLYN, NY – 1956: Jim “Junior” Gilliam #19 of the Brooklyn Dodgers slides into third base as Willie Jones #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies waits for the ball during a MLB game in 1956 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

4. Willie Jones, Phillies 1947-59

His “Puddin’ Head” nickname alone earns him a spot on this list, but Willie Jones was also a heck of a third baseman.

Jones joined the Phillies during one of many unsuccessful eras; in his debut season in 1947, they went 62-92-1. Different times.

However, by 1949, they were above .500, and by 1950, they were the 91-win Whiz Kids and the National League pennant winners.

Over thirteen seasons, the two-time All-Star hit .258/.343/.413 with a .756 OPS. He averaged 24 doubles and 18 home runs per 162 games. Between 1949-58, his final full season in Philadelphia, Jones played 118+ games every year and had 108+ hits in all but one season. Among franchise leaders, Jones’ six grand slams are third-most, behind Mike Schmidt and Ryan Howard.

The Gold Glove Award wasn’t given out until 1957, but if they’d started earlier, Jones would’ve had a few. Between 1949-56, he led NL third basemen in putouts seven times, twice in assists and double plays turned, and four times in games played at third.

PHILADELPHIA – CIRCA 2001: Scott Rolen #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies fields during an MLB game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rolen played for 17 seasons with 4 different teams and was a 7-time All-Star. (Photo by SPX/Ron Vesely Photography via Getty Images) /

3. Scott Rolen, Phillies 1996-2002

Scott Rolen‘s time in Philly ended badly to the point that fans were booing him by the end, but that almost adds to his legend.

Rolen made his big-league debut with the Phillies in 1996, and won Rookie of the Year in 1997. In 1998, he won his first of eight Gold Gloves. By the time the Phillies traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals (for Placido Polanco) in 2002, he had three Gold Gloves and would win his fourth at the end of that season, along with his sole Silver Slugger.

Over seven years and 844 regular-season games in red pinstripes, Rolen hit .282/.373/.504 with a .877 OPS. His 880 hits included 207 doubles and 150 home runs, and he scored 533 times and drove in 559. He also went 71-for-96 in stolen-base attempts.

Unfortunately, a lot of pressure comes from being labeled ‘the next Mike Schmidt,’ and by 2002, Rolen wanted out. The Phillies dealt him at the deadline, and he continued his stellar career in the decidedly lower-pressure environments of St. Louis, Toronto, and Cincinnati.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1968: Dick Allen #15 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1968 at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Allen played for the Phillies from 1963-69 and 1975-76. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

2. Dick Allen, Phillies 1963-69, 75-76

Dick Allen remains one of the greatest Phillies of all time, and his exclusion from the Hall of Fame remains an egregious error.

After a brief debut with the Phillies in 1963, he won Rookie of the Year in 1964 and finished seventh in MVP voting. The following year, he began a three-year run of All-Star seasons, and finished each season with a slew of MVP votes.

Between 1964-67, he led MLB or the league in various categories each year, including runs scored, triples, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and total bases. In 1964 and 1966, he led all NL hitters in extra-base hits.

Defensively, Allen was an absolute workhorse. In 1964, he started all 162 regular-season games at third, playing 143 of them to completion. The following year, he made 160 starts at the hot corner, with 154 complete games.

Allen finished second and fourth in putouts at third in 1964 and 64, respectively, and finished in the top-four in assists as a third baseman three times between 64-67. In 1965, he led NL third basemen in double plays turned.

1. Mike Schmidt

Duh?

Mike Schmidt is the undisputed greatest third baseman in Phillies history and makes a strong case for the greatest in MLB history. Former teammate Pete Rose said he was the best player he ever played with.

Let’s run down Schmidt’s resumé from his 18-year career, all with the Phillies:

3x MVP (Including back-to-back)
6x Silver Slugger
6x MLB HR leader
10x Gold Glove (Nine consecutively)
12x All-Star
1980 World Series champion
World Series MVP
Hall of Fame

Not bad.

Aside from his debut season in 1972 and his final season in 1989, Schmidt played 108+ games every year. During that time, he proved himself to be one of the greatest all-around players in the game.

Schmidt’s career 106.9 bWAR ranks 25th all-time and 19th among position players. No other third baseman in MLB history has more home runs. He was one of the most valuable, and most legendary players of all time.

Related Story. The most legendary Phillies starting pitchers of all time. light

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