Every number retired by the Philadelphia Phillies
Which numbers are retired by the Philadelphia Phillies?
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball, but now in their 140th season, they’re one of the stingiest when it comes to retiring numbers.
Including Jackie Robinson’s 42, which is retired leaguewide, the Phillies have only bestowed the honor of a retired number upon 10 former players. Here’s who you can find at Citizens Bank Park’s Ashburn Alley:
Grover Cleveland Alexander – P
Chuck Klein – P
Richie Ashburn – 1
Jim Bunning – 14
Dick Allen – 15
Mike Schmidt – 20
Steve Carlton – 32
Roy Halladay – 34
Robin Roberts – 36
Jackie Robinson – 42
Grover Cleveland Alexander
Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander never wore a number and Chuck Klein wore seven (including 1, which would later be worn by Richie Ashburn), so instead of a retired number, each has a ‘P’ on the wall at Ashburn Alley.
A three-time Triple Crown pitcher (win-loss, ERA, strikeout) and five-time ERA titleholder, Alexander was a member of the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1939. The best seasons of his 20-year career were the first seven, which he spent with the Phillies. He then became their first huge trade mistake, as he continued to be dominant for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, winning a World Series with the latter in 1926. In 1930, he returned to the Phillies for nine games before retiring.
Over a century later, Alexander is still one of the top-ranked pitchers in franchise history. He’s now third in WAR, wins, and innings pitched among Phillies pitchers, as Robin Roberts and Steve Carlton surpassed him. He threw 219 complete games, only to be surpassed by Roberts, who pitched 272, but Alexander’s .676 win percentage, 61 shutouts, and 2.38 FIP still reign supreme.
Chuck Klein
Chuck Klein was the first player in franchise history to win Most Valuable Player, back in 1932, and the only Phillies hitter to ever win the batting Triple Crown (AVG, HR, RBI), which he did in 1933, by hitting .368 with 28 home runs and 120 RBI.
Klein ranks ninth in position players WAR and Offensive WAR, and his slugging percentage and OPS have only been outdone by none other than Bryce Harper.
According to MLB.com, Klein’s 170 RBI and 445 total bases in 1930 are still records to this day for all National League lefty hitters.