With the Major League Baseball playoffs just around the corner, I thought I would celebrate each of the franchises and their storied pasts by selecting an All-Time Team for every club.
The teams consist of one player per infield position (1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C), three outfielders, three starting pitchers, and two relief pitchers. Each American League squad also consists of a designated hitter.
So without further ado, here is part 19 of a 30-part series documenting each franchise’s all-time greats.
Philadelphia Phillies
First Base: Ryan Howard 2004-16
Playing his entire career in Philadelphia, Howard was a key member of some of the best teams in Phillies history while making three All-Star teams and winning a Silver Slugger in 2006.
The 2005 NL Rookie of the Year, Howard followed his outstanding rookie campaign by winning both the NL Hank Aaron Award and NL MVP in 2006. He also led MLB in RBI three times and home runs twice in his career, highlighted by a 58-homer season in 2006.
The 2009 NLCS MVP also guided the Phillies to five straight NL East titles from 2007-11, winning two NL pennants and the 2008 World Series title.
Second Base: Chase Utley 2003-15
A six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger recipient, Utley was one of the game’s best second basemen during his Phillies stint.
A 2010 Fielding Bible winner, Utley helped Philly win five NL East titles, a pair of NL pennants, and the 2008 World Series championship during his 13-year run.
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins 2000-14
The third star of the Phillies infield during the late 2000s to early 2010s, Rollins combined his skills on both offense and defense to become one of the league’s best shortstops.
A three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Rollins led the NL in stolen bases in 2001 while winning a Fielding Bible in 2008.
The 2007 NL MVP and Silver Slugger winner, Rollins helped the Phillies win five straight NL East titles from 2007-11, highlighted by a World Series victory in 2008.
Third Base: Mike Schmidt 1972-89
One of the game’s greatest-ever third basemen, Schmidt played his entire career in Philadelphia while making 12 All-Star teams and leading the NL in home runs eight times.
A 10-time Gold Glove winner and three-time NL MVP, Schmidt also led the NL in RBI four times and was named MVP of the 1980 World Series.
A member of the 500 home run club (548), he guided the Phillies to six NL East titles, two NL pennants, and the 1980 World Series championship during his 18 seasons with the team.
Schmidt is also a member of the MLB All-Century and All-Time Teams, has his No. 20 jersey retired by the Phillies, and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Catcher: Darren Daulton 1983, ’85-97
A three-time All-Star and 1992 NL RBI leader, Daulton twice won the NL East and NL pennants during his Phillies tenure.
Also a 1992 Silver Slugger recipient, he was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame following his retirement.
Outfield: Gary Maddox 1975-86
A defensive stalwart in the outfield, Maddox won eight Gold Gloves in a row from 1975-82 while being a key member of six NL East title-winners.
Also helping the Phillies win a pair of NL pennants and the 1980 World Series during his 12 seasons, Maddox was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame following his career.
Outfield: Richie Ashburn 1948-59
A four-time All-Star and two-time NL batting champ, Ashburn was a star during a difficult stretch of Phillies baseball while also reaching the World Series in 1950.
Leading the NL in stolen bases in 1948, Ashburn is a member of the Phillies Wall of Fame, has his No. 1 retired by the franchise, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Outfield: Chuck Klein 1928-33, ’36-39, ’40-44
Playing 15 seasons across three stints in Philly, Klein led the NL in home runs four times, RBI twice, and stolen bases in 1932.
1932 NL MVP, Klein was also named an All-Star in 1933 while winning the NL batting title and the Triple Crown.
Klein – who once hit four home runs in a game and hit for the cycle twice – is a member of both the Phillies Wall of Fame and Baseball Hall of Fame and has his name honored at Citizens Bank Park (he wore eight different numbers with the team).
Starting pitcher: Robin Roberts 1948-61
One of the Phillies’ greatest pitchers, Roberts went to the All-Star Game seven years in a row from 1950-56 while leading the league in wins four times.
Also a two-time MLB strikeouts leader, Roberts helped the Phillies win the 1950 NL pennant before having his No. 36 retired by the team and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame after his career.
Starting pitcher: Steve Carlton 1972-86
Arguably the game’s best pitcher in his prime, Carlton made seven All-Star teams while leading the NL in strikeouts five times and wins four times.
The 1972 Triple Crown winner and 1981 Silver Slugger recipient, he also led the NL in ERA in 1972 while racking up four NL Cy Young Awards (1972, ’77, ’80, 82).
A member of both the 300 wins (329) and 4,000 strikeouts club (4,136), Carlton guided the Phils to six NL East titles, two NL pennants, and the 1980 World Series title before having his No. 32 retired and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Starting pitcher: Grover Cleveland Alexander 1911-17, 1930
A legend during the dead-ball era, Alexander led the NL in wins and strikeouts five times each and in ERA twice.
A two-time Triple Crown winner and 300 wins club member (373), Alexander helped the Phillies win the 1915 NL pennant before having his name placed on the wall at Citizens Bank Park (there were no jersey numbers when he played) and being enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Relief pitcher: Tug McGraw 1975-84
A big part of a successful run of Phillies baseball in the late 1970s to early 80s, McGraw played 10 seasons with the team.
An All-Star in 1975, McGraw helped the Phils win six NL East titles, two NL pennants, and the 1980 World Series championship during his tenure.
Relief pitcher: Steve Bedrosian 1986-89
The 1987 NL Cy Young Award and Rolaids Relief Man of the Year recipient, Bedrosian also led the NL in saves while making an All-Star team during his four-season stint with the Phillies.
