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Philadelphia Phillies
2025 Philadelphia Phillies season
  • Established in 1883
Philadelphia Phillies (2019) logo.svg Philadelphia Phillies Insignia.svg
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
Current uniform
MLB-NLE-PHI-Uniform.png
Retired numbers
Colors
  • Red, white, blue
                  
Name
  • Philadelphia Phillies (1883–present)
  • Philadelphia Blue Jays/Phillies (1944–1949)
  • Philadelphia Phils (1942)
  • Philadelphia Quakers/Phillies (1883–1889)
Other nicknames
  • Phils
  • The Fightin' Phils
  • The Fightins
  • Whiz Kids (1950)
  • Wheeze Kids (1983)
  • Macho Row (1993)
Ballpark
  • Citizens Bank Park (2004–present)
  • Veterans Stadium (1971–2003)
  • Shibe Park (1938–1970)
  • Baker Bowl (1887–1938)
  • Recreation Park (1883–1886)
Major league titles
World Series titles (2)
  • 1980
  • 2008
NL Pennants (8)
  • 1915
  • 1950
  • 1980
  • 1983
  • 1993
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2022
NL East Division titles (12)
  • 1976
  • 1977
  • 1978
  • 1980
  • 1983
  • 1993
  • 2007
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2024
Wild card berths (2)
  • 2022
  • 2023
Front office
Principal owner(s) John Middleton
President John Middleton (CEO)
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski
General manager Preston Mattingly
Manager Rob Thomson
Mascot(s) Phillie Phanatic

The Philadelphia Phillies are a professional baseball team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, their home field has been Citizens Bank Park, located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

The Phillies started in 1883, making them the oldest sports team in America that has always kept the same name and stayed in the same city. They have won two World Series championships: in 1980 against the Kansas City Royals and in 2008 against the Tampa Bay Rays. They have also won eight National League pennants, with their first one in 1915.

The team has played for 142 seasons since 1883. As of the end of the 2024 season, the Phillies have played 21,648 games. They have won 10,207 games and lost 11,326 games, with 115 ties.

When they won their first championship in 1980, the Phillies were the last of the original 16 MLB teams to win a World Series. Since 1969, they have become one of MLB's most successful teams. They have won 12 division titles, including five in a row from 2007 to 2011. They also have six National League pennants and two World Series titles.

The Phillies replaced a team from Worcester, Massachusetts, in the National League in 1883. They have played in several stadiums in Philadelphia. These include Recreation Park (1883–1886), the Baker Bowl (1887–1938), Shibe Park (1938–1970), Veterans Stadium (1971–2003), and now Citizens Bank Park (2004–present).

Because they have been around for so long, the Phillies were the first American sports team to lose over 10,000 games. Many of these losses happened between 1918 and 1948, when they only had one winning season. However, they are also one of only nine teams to have won over 10,000 games in their history. Many people think Mike Schmidt, a Hall of Fame third baseman, is the greatest Phillies player ever. So far, 33 Phillies players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Phillies' minor league teams include the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A), the Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A), the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Class-A), and the Clearwater Threshers (Class-A). Their spring training is held in Clearwater, Florida.

Team History

Early Years (1883–1917)

1888 Philadelphia Quakers
The 1888 Philadelphia Quakers team

In 1883, a sports equipment maker named Al Reach and a lawyer named John Rogers started a new National League team in Philadelphia. This team replaced the Worcester baseball team, which had stopped playing in 1882. The new Philadelphia team was called the "Phillies" from the very beginning. Their first season was tough, with the worst winning percentage in team history.

In 1884, Harry Wright, a famous manager, was hired to help the team improve. In 1887, the team started playing at a new stadium, which later became known as the Baker Bowl. Even with improvements, they didn't win a championship during these early years.

Becoming the Phillies Name

The nickname "Phillies" first appeared in a newspaper on April 3, 1883. It quickly became the team's official nickname. This name has been used continuously by a professional sports team in the same city for a very long time.

Some of the best players from this time were Billy Hamilton, Sam Thompson, and Ed Delahanty. In 1896, Ed Delahanty hit four home runs in one game, which was a major league record.

When the American League started in 1901, many good Phillies players left to join the new league. This made the Phillies team much weaker. In 1903, a sad event happened when a balcony at the Baker Bowl collapsed, killing 12 people and injuring many more. This led to the team's owner, John Rogers, having to sell the team.

GCAlexander
Grover Cleveland Alexander, a great Phillies pitcher from 1911 to 1917

The Phillies won their first championship (called a pennant) in 1915. This was thanks to amazing pitching from Grover Cleveland Alexander and powerful hitting from Gavvy Cravath. They finished the season with 90 wins and 62 losses. In the 1915 World Series, they faced the Boston Red Sox and won the first game. However, they lost the next four games and the series.

In 1917, Grover Cleveland Alexander was traded to the Chicago Cubs. This happened because the team owner, William Baker, didn't want to pay him more money. Baker was known for trying to run the team very cheaply.

Years of Struggle (1918–1948)

Grand Stand Entrance of Shibe Park
Shibe Park, the Phillies' home from 1938 to 1970

After Alexander was traded, the Phillies had a very difficult time for many years. From 1918 to 1948, they only had one winning season, which was in 1932. They often finished in last place and lost at least 100 games in 12 seasons. This gave the team a reputation for not winning.

Some of the star players during the 1920s and 1930s were Cy Williams, Lefty O'Doul, and Chuck Klein. Chuck Klein won the Triple Crown in 1933, meaning he led the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.

The Baker Bowl, the team's stadium, was not well-maintained. In 1930, the team gave up 1199 runs, which is still a major league record. The Phillies moved to Shibe Park in 1938, which they shared with the Philadelphia Athletics.

The lowest point was in 1941, when the Phillies lost 111 games, the most in franchise history. In 1942, they even needed money from the league just to go to spring training. The owner, Gerald Nugent, decided to sell the team.

The "Blue Jays" Experiment

In 1943, a new owner, Bob Carpenter Sr., bought the team. He wanted to improve the team's image. Before the 1944 season, the team held a contest to find a new nickname. They chose "Blue Jays" as an official "additional nickname," meaning they had two nicknames at once: Phillies and Blue Jays.

However, the new "Blue Jays" name was not popular with fans. It also caused a disagreement with Johns Hopkins University, whose sports teams were also called the Blue Jays. The university even joked that the Phillies should use the scientific name for the blue jay because of the team's poor record! The "Blue Jays" nickname was officially dropped in January 1950.

The Whiz Kids and Beyond (1949–1970)

RobinRoberts
Robin Roberts, a Phillies pitcher from 1948 to 1961

The new owner, Bob Carpenter Jr., invested in young players and the team's farm system. This helped the Phillies develop talented players like future Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts.

In 1949, the Phillies started to get better, finishing in third place. This was their best finish in 31 years. The 1950 team, known as the "Whiz Kids" because they were so young, led the National League for most of the season. On the last day of the season, Dick Sisler hit a dramatic home run in the 10th inning to win the pennant for the Phillies.

In the 1950 World Series, the Whiz Kids were tired from their tough season and were swept by the New York Yankees in four games. Even though they lost, this World Series appearance made the Phillies the favorite team in Philadelphia.

Richie Ashburn 1953
Richie Ashburn, Phillies center fielder from 1948 to 1959

Many thought the Whiz Kids would be a strong team for years, but they struggled in the following seasons. In 1961, the team lost 23 games in a row, which is still the longest losing streak in modern baseball history.

Things started to improve in 1962 under new manager Gene Mauch. The team had talented players like Jim Bunning, Chris Short, Johnny Callison, and Dick Allen. In 1964, the Phillies were leading the pennant race by a large margin with only 12 games left. However, they lost 10 games in a row and finished one game out of first place. This collapse is famously known as the "Phold of '64."

A special moment in 1964 was when Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game against the New York Mets on Father's Day. This was the first perfect game in Phillies history.

The team continued to struggle for the rest of the 1960s. By the late 1950s, the Phillies decided they needed a new stadium. They moved out of Connie Mack Stadium (formerly Shibe Park) after the 1970 season.

Glory Days (1971–1984)

Veterans Stadium, home of the Phillies from 1971 to 2003

The Phillies opened their new home, Veterans Stadium, in 1971. The stadium was built in South Philadelphia, creating the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

In 1972, the Phillies were the worst team in baseball. But new pitcher Steve Carlton won almost half of their games (27 out of 59 team wins) and earned his first NL Cy Young Award. He won it again in 1977.

The Phillies found success in the mid-1970s with players like Carlton, third baseman Mike Schmidt, shortstop Larry Bowa, and outfielder Greg Luzinski. They won three division titles in a row (1976–78). However, they lost in the playoffs each time. In 1979, the team added Pete Rose, which helped them become even stronger.

1980 World Series Champions

The Phillies won their division in 1980. To win the league championship, they had to beat the Houston Astros in a very exciting series. Four of the five games went into extra innings! The Phillies won the series and celebrated their first National League pennant in 30 years.

Mike Schmidt - Philadelphia Phillies - 1983
Mike Schmidt, a Phillies legend and Hall of Famer

In the 1980 World Series, the Phillies faced the Kansas City Royals. They won their first World Series championship ever in six games! Mike Schmidt was the star, hitting well and winning the World Series Most Valuable Player award. This final game was watched by 54.9 million people, making it one of the most-watched World Series games ever. The Phillies became the last of the original 16 MLB teams to win a World Series.

After their World Series win, the team's owner, Ruly Carpenter, sold the team in 1981. The Phillies returned to the playoffs in 1981 but lost to the Montreal Expos. Mike Schmidt won his second straight NL Most Valuable Player award that year.

In 1983, the Phillies made it back to the World Series, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs. However, they lost to the Baltimore Orioles in five games. Because many players on the 1983 team were older, they were nicknamed the "Wheeze Kids."

Tough Times (1985–1991)

The 1985 season was the first time the Phillies had a losing record since 1974. Even though they released star pitcher Steve Carlton in 1986, they still finished second in their division. Mike Schmidt continued to be a great player, leading the National League in home runs and runs batted in, and winning his third Most Valuable Player award.

Steve Carlton - Philadelphia Phillies - 1983
Steve Carlton, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Phillies

In 1987, closer Steve Bedrosian won the NL Cy Young Award. Mike Schmidt retired from baseball in 1989, meaning the last player from the 1980 championship team was gone.

In 1990, Terry Mulholland pitched a no-hitter, a game where no opposing player gets a hit. During these years, it was often hard for the Phillies to attract many fans to Veterans Stadium because it was so big.

Macho Row (1992–1995)

2012 08 10 023 Phillies Darren Daulton
Darren Daulton, a popular Phillies catcher

Before the 1992 season, the Phillies changed their uniforms and logo to look more like the "Whiz Kids" era. The team finished last in 1992, but things were about to change.

The 1993 Phillies were led by stars like Darren Daulton, John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, and Curt Schilling. This team was nicknamed "Macho Row" because of their rugged and unkempt look. Fans loved their personality, and attendance reached a record high.

The team had a great season, winning 97 games and the NL East division title. Their offense was strong, with several players hitting over .300. The pitching staff was led by Curt Schilling and Tommy Greene, and the bullpen had closer Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams.

They beat the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs to win their fifth National League pennant. However, they lost to the defending World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays in the 1993 World Series. Toronto's Joe Carter hit a game-winning home run in Game 6 to end the series.

A baseball strike in 1994 and the arrival of the Atlanta Braves in their division made things harder for the team. Many players from the 1993 team were soon traded or left.

Rebuilding the Team (1996–2005)

Phillies 2014 Opening Day Citizens Bank Park Panorama
Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies' home since 2004

The team drafted third baseman Scott Rolen in 1993, and he reached the major leagues by 1996. He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1997. However, he later asked for a trade and was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002.

Former Phillies player Larry Bowa became the manager in 2001. He led the team to an 86–76 record, their first winning season since 1993. Bowa was named National League Manager of the Year.

The Phillies continued to compete for the next few years. In 2002, they signed Jim Thome, a powerful hitter, to a big contract. Between 1996 and 2002, the team drafted players who would become the heart of the next great Phillies team. These players included Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels.

In 2004, the Phillies moved to their new home, Citizens Bank Park, which is right across the street from Veterans Stadium. Charlie Manuel became the manager after the 2004 season. In 2005, Pat Gillick became the general manager and brought in new players like Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and Jamie Moyer.

The Golden Era (2006–2012)

Jimmy Rollins (7177971315)
Jimmy Rollins, a key player for the Phillies

Ryan Howard won the NL Most Valuable Player Award in 2006, and Jimmy Rollins won it the next year. In 2007, after losing their 10,000th game, the team's young players bounced back and won the National League East division title. However, they were swept by the Colorado Rockies in the playoffs. After the 2007 season, they traded for closer Brad Lidge.

2008 World Series Champions

The Phillies were expected to win their division again in 2008. They had a good start to the season. Chase Utley and Brad Lidge were chosen to play in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. To make their pitching even stronger, the Phillies traded for pitcher Joe Blanton in July.

Cole Hamels pitching 2010
Cole Hamels, MVP of the 2008 World Series

On September 27, the Phillies won the National League East for the second year in a row. They beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round of the playoffs, and then defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. As the National League champions, the Phillies went to the 2008 World Series to play the Tampa Bay Rays. They won the series 4 games to 1! Game 5 was special because it was stopped by rain and finished two days later. The Phillies won that game 4–3, winning their second World Series in team history. Cole Hamels was named the Most Valuable Player of both the playoffs and the World Series.

After the 2008 season, Pat Gillick retired as general manager, and Rubén Amaro Jr. took over. The Phillies kept most of their main players for the 2009 season. They also added pitcher Pedro Martínez and traded for Cliff Lee. On September 30, 2009, they won their third straight division title.

The team beat the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs, becoming the first Phillies team to win two pennants in a row. However, they lost to the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series.

Chase Utley (18851643656)
Chase Utley, a star second baseman for the Phillies

On December 16, 2009, the Phillies traded for star pitcher Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays. On May 29, 2010, Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Florida Marlins.

The 2010 Phillies won their fourth straight NL East Division championship, even with many injuries. They finished with the best record in MLB, 97–65. A key move was getting pitcher Roy Oswalt in August.

Ryan Howard (18691494119)
Ryan Howard, a powerful first baseman for the Phillies

In Game 1 of the 2010 playoffs, Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in Major League Baseball postseason history! The Phillies swept the Reds in three games. However, they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the next round. Halladay won the 2010 NL Cy Young Award.

Before the 2011 season, the Phillies signed pitcher Cliff Lee again, creating a super strong pitching rotation with Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt. Fans called them the "Phantastic Phour" or "The Four Aces." On September 17, 2011, the Phillies won their fifth straight East Division championship. They also set a team record with 102 wins. But they lost in the playoffs to the St. Louis Cardinals.

D7K 4966 Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Phillies

The 2012 Phillies had an up-and-down season. They traded away key players like Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, and Hunter Pence. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. During this "Golden Era," the Phillies always had a winning record and won their division five years in a row from 2007 to 2011.

End of an Era (2013–2018)

In the 2013 season, the team struggled. On August 16, 2013, manager Charlie Manuel was fired. He had managed the team for over nine years and led them to their World Series win. The 2013 Phillies finished with a losing record. After the season, pitcher Roy Halladay retired.

In the 2014 season, a highlight was when pitcher Cole Hamels and three relievers combined for a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. The team finished last in their division. Jimmy Rollins was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2015, attendance started to drop as the team continued to struggle. Cole Hamels pitched another no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs. He was then traded to the Texas Rangers. Chase Utley was also traded to the Dodgers. The team finished last in the NL East again.

The 2016 season was the last for Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz as Phillies. The team finished fourth in their division. On September 29, 2017, manager Pete Mackanin was fired. Gabe Kapler became the new manager on October 30, 2017.

In the first half of the 2018 season, the Phillies played well and were leading their division. However, they had a late-season collapse and finished with a losing record. Pitcher Aaron Nola had a great season, finishing third in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

Building a Winning Team (2019–2022)

Bryce Harper Stare Down Pregame from Nationals vs. Phillies at Nationals Park, May 13th, 2021 (All-Pro Reels Photography) (51188354283) (cropped)
Bryce Harper joined the Phillies in 2019

The Phillies wanted to sign big-name free agents after the 2018 season. Owner John Middleton said they were ready to "spend stupid money." They signed Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson, and made a huge splash by signing Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million contract. They also traded for shortstop Jean Segura and catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The Phillies started strong in 2019 but then struggled. They missed the playoffs and finished with an 81–81 record. Manager Gabe Kapler was fired on October 10, 2019.

On October 24, 2019, Joe Girardi was announced as the Phillies' new manager. The team did not have a winning season in the short 2020 season and missed the playoffs. General Manager Matt Klentak was fired. Dave Dombrowski was hired as the President of Baseball Operations, and he hired Sam Fuld as the new General Manager.

In 2021, the Phillies had their first winning season since 2011, but they still missed the playoffs. A major highlight was Bryce Harper winning the NL Most Valuable Player Award. The team improved their lineup for 2022 by signing outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos.

The Phillies started the 2022 season slowly. On June 3, manager Joe Girardi was fired and replaced by bench coach Rob Thomson as interim manager. The Phillies finished the 2022 season with an 87–75 record, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2011!

In the playoffs, the Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals in two games. Then, they eliminated the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves. They went on to beat the San Diego Padres in the National League Championship Series, advancing to the 2022 World Series. Bryce Harper was named MVP of the NLCS. Rob Thomson was officially named the team's manager.

The Phillies faced the Houston Astros in the World Series. Game 1 was an exciting extra-innings win for the Phillies, with J.T. Realmuto hitting the game-winning home run. The Astros tied the series in Game 2. Game 3 in Philadelphia was postponed due to rain. When it was played, the Phillies won 7–0, hitting five home runs in the first five innings, a World Series record! In Game 4, the Astros pitched a combined no-hitter against the Phillies, only the second no-hitter in World Series history. The Astros won the next two games, winning the series four games to two.

Team Uniforms

Current Uniforms

The Phillies' current team colors, uniform, and logo were introduced in 1992. The main colors are red and white, with blue as an accent. The team name "Phillies" is written in red with a blue star over the "i"s.

The home uniform is white with red pinstripes. The away uniform is grey. Both have the "Phillies" logo across the chest and the player's name and number on the back. The hats are red with a stylized "P." These uniforms look very similar to those worn by the "Whiz Kids" from 1950 to 1969.

In 2008, the Phillies added a special cream-colored uniform for home day games. This uniform is a tribute to uniforms worn from 1946 to 1949. It has red lettering with blue borders and no pinstripes. The hat for this uniform is blue with a red bill and a red "P."

In 2016, the Phillies added a red alternate uniform. This uniform was used for mid-week afternoon games. It was later brought back for some away games in 2021. After the 2023 season, the red alternates were retired.

In 2024, the Phillies unveiled a new "City Connect" uniform. This uniform is light blue and midnight blue with yellow trim. It is inspired by the flag of Philadelphia. The jersey says "Philly" on the chest. The hat has a silhouette of the Liberty Bell. The Phillies plan to wear these uniforms for 12 Friday night home games in 2024.

The Phillies are one of only four MLB teams that do not show their city or state name on their away jerseys. Since 2023, the sleeves on their main uniforms have been blank. In 2024, the Phillies added Independence Blue Cross as their first uniform sponsor on the sleeves.

Ryan Howard wearing the current Phillies' white home uniform with red pinstripes and the Harry Kalas patch in 2009
Ryan Howard wearing the current Phillies' home uniform
Jim Thome wearing the Phillies' grey road uniform.
Jim Thome wearing the Phillies' grey road uniform
Photograph of Joe Blanton wearing the Phillies' alternate cream-colored uniform with a Kalas patch
Joe Blanton wearing the alternate Phillies' home uniform
Darick Hall wearing the Phillies' powder blue alternate throwback uniform
Darick Hall wearing the Phillies' alternate throwback uniform
Didi Gregorius wearing the Phillies' alternate red uniform
Didi Gregorius wearing the Phillies' alternate red uniform

Special Patches

The Phillies often wear special patches on their uniforms to celebrate achievements or remember important people.

  • In 2009, they wore "2008 World Champions" patches.
  • They have worn black patches for beloved broadcaster Harry Kalas (HK), Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts (36), and former owner David Montgomery (DPM).
  • In 2021, they wore a patch with "15" for former player Dick Allen.

Old Uniforms

From 1970 to 1991, the Phillies wore very different uniforms. The main color was a dark burgundy. Away uniforms were a pale blue instead of grey. The logo was a unique "P" with a baseball stitch design. The team had a lot of success in these uniforms, including their 1980 World Series win. Many fans still love this look today. The current team sometimes wears these burgundy and powder blue throwback uniforms for special games.

Controversial Uniforms

In 1979, the Phillies tried an all-burgundy uniform for Saturday games. Fans and players hated them, calling them "pajama-like." They were only worn once in a regular game and quickly stopped.

In 1994, the Phillies introduced all-blue hats for home day games. Players thought they were bad luck after losing two games while wearing them. The team and players agreed to only wear them for weekday games.

Team Rivalries

The Phillies have had several big rivalries throughout their history. They often played intense games against the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park 9-29-2017
The Phillies playing their rival New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park

The rivalry between the New York Mets and the Phillies is one of the most exciting in the National League. Both teams are in the NL East division and have often battled for playoff spots.

Before 2006, the rivalry was not as strong because the teams were rarely good at the same time. But since 2006, they have often competed closely. The Mets won their division in 2006, and the Phillies won five straight division titles from 2007 to 2011. In 2007, the Phillies won the division on the very last day of the season, after the Mets lost a big lead.

There is also a long-standing rivalry between sports fans from New York City and Philadelphia. This rivalry is seen in other sports too, like football (Giants vs. Eagles) and hockey (Rangers vs. Flyers). Games between the Phillies and Mets are often very intense.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The rivalry between the Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates was once considered one of the best in the National League. It started when the Pirates joined the National League in 1887.

From 1969 to 1993, when the National League had two divisions, the Phillies and Pirates won the most division championships in the NL East. Together, they won more than half of the division titles during that time.

After the Pirates moved to a different division in 1994, the teams only play each other a few times each year. This has made the rivalry less intense. However, many older fans still dislike the other team.

Washington Nationals

The Phillies' rivalry with the Washington Nationals goes back to when the Nationals were the Montreal Expos. The two teams often fought for control of the division in the early 1980s and mid-1990s.

When the team moved to Washington D.C. in 2005, the rivalry became more intense because of how close the cities are. In the 2010s, the Nationals tried to stop Phillies fans from taking over their home games. In 2019, star player Bryce Harper made the rivalry even stronger when he left the Nationals to sign a huge contract with the Phillies. The Nationals then went on to win the 2019 World Series that year without him.

This rivalry is also part of the bigger Philadelphia-Washington rivalry seen in other sports, like football (Eagles vs. Commanders) and hockey (Flyers vs. Capitals).

Historical Rivalry: Philadelphia Athletics

The City Series was a special set of baseball games played between the Phillies and the Philadelphia Athletics (an American League team) from 1903 to 1955. This rivalry ended when the Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955. While the teams sometimes play each other now, the old rivalry is mostly gone.

Team Records

Team Managers

Gene Mauch 1961
Gene Mauch, Phillies manager from 1960 to 1968
Charlie Manuel
Charlie Manuel, the Phillies' winningest manager

Over their long history, the Phillies have had 55 managers. A manager is in charge of the team's strategy and leadership. Seven managers have led the Phillies to the playoffs. Danny Ozark and Charlie Manuel each led the team to at least three playoff appearances.

Charlie Manuel and Dallas Green are the only Phillies managers to win a World Series. Green won in 1980, and Manuel won in 2008. Charlie Manuel has managed the most games in Phillies history, leading the team for over nine seasons (2005–2013).

Achievements

Awards

Six Phillies players have won the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award. Mike Schmidt won it three times (1980, 1981, 1986). Other winners include Chuck Klein (1932), Jim Konstanty (1950), Ryan Howard (2006), Jimmy Rollins (2007), and Bryce Harper (2021).

Pitcher Steve Carlton has won the most Cy Young Awards for the team, with four (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982). John Denny (1983), Steve Bedrosian (1987), and Roy Halladay (2010) each won one.

Four Phillies have won Rookie of the Year honors: Jack Sanford (1957), Dick Allen (1964), Scott Rolen (1997), and Ryan Howard (2005). Ryan Howard was only the second player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in back-to-back years.

Three Phillies players have hit four home runs in a single game, which is more than any other team. These players are Ed Delahanty (1896), Chuck Klein (1936), and Mike Schmidt (1976).

Hall of Famers

Many Phillies players have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Philadelphia Phillies

Grover Cleveland Alexander *
Sparky Anderson
Richie Ashburn *
Dave Bancroft *
Chief Bender
Dan Brouthers
Jim Bunning

Steve Carlton *
Roger Connor
Ed Delahanty *
Hugh Duffy
Johnny Evers
Elmer Flick
Jimmie Foxx
Pat Gillick

Roy Halladay
Billy Hamilton *
Bucky Harris
Ferguson Jenkins
Hughie Jennings
Jim Kaat
Tim Keefe
Chuck Klein *

Nap Lajoie
Pedro Martínez
Tommy McCarthy
Joe Morgan
Kid Nichols
Tony Pérez
Eppa Rixey
Robin Roberts *

Scott Rolen *
Ryne Sandberg
Mike Schmidt*
Casey Stengel
Jim Thome
Sam Thompson *
Lloyd Waner
Hack Wilson
Harry Wright *

  • Players and managers listed in bold are depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Phillies cap insignia.
  • * Philadelphia Phillies listed as primary team according to the Hall of Fame

Ford C. Frick Award Recipients

The Ford C. Frick Award honors baseball broadcasters.

Philadelphia Phillies Ford C. Frick Award recipients
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Herb Carneal

Al Helfer

Harry Kalas

Tim McCarver

By Saam

  • Names in bold received the award based primarily on their work as broadcasters for the Phillies.

Retired Numbers and Other Honors

The Phillies have retired eight jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. Two other players, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein, were honored with the letter "P" because they played before numbers were used or wore different numbers. Number 42 was retired by all of Major League Baseball to honor Jackie Robinson.

Richie
Ashburn

CF, TV
Retired
1979
Jim
Bunning

RHP
Retired
2001
Dick
Allen

1B, 3B
Retired
2020
Mike
Schmidt
3B
Retired
1990
Steve
Carlton
LHP
Retired
1989
Roy
Halladay

RHP
Retired
2021
Robin
Roberts

RHP
Retired
1962
Jackie
Robinson

2B
Retired
by MLB 1997
Grover C.
Alexander

RHP
Honored
2001
Chuck
Klein
RF
Honored
2001

Wall of Fame

The Phillies Wall of Fame honors great players and staff. It started in 1978. Until 2004, they inducted one former Phillie and one former member of the Philadelphia Athletics each year. Since 2004, they usually induct one Phillie annually. To be eligible, players must be retired and have played at least four years with the Phillies.

ChuckKleinbaseballcard
Chuck Klein, 1980 Wall of Fame inductee
Centennial Team
Phillies Centennial Team, 1983 Wall of Fame inductees
Mike Schmidt plaque
Mike Schmidt, 1990 Wall of Fame inductee
Dick Allen
Dick Allen, 1994 Wall of Fame inductee
Tug McGraw Phillies
Tug McGraw, 1998 Wall of Fame inductee
Garry Maddox 1974
Garry Maddox, 2001 Wall of Fame inductee
Baseball pat burrell 2004
Pat Burrell, 2015 Wall of Fame inductee
Jim Thome on June 9, 2012
Jim Thome, 2016 Wall of Fame inductee
Bobby Abreu in 2004
Bobby Abreu, 2019 Wall of Fame inductee
Hall of Fame Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Bold Recipient of the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award
Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame
Inducted Player Position Years Ref
1978 Roberts, RobinRobin RobertsHall of Fame P 1948–1961
1978 Ashburn, RichieRichie AshburnHall of Fame OF
TV
1948–1959
1963–1997
1979 Klein, ChuckChuck KleinHall of Fame OF 1928–1933
1936–1939
1940–1944
1980 Alexander, Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland AlexanderHall of Fame P 1911–1917
1930
1981 Ennis, DelDel Ennis OF 1946–1956
1982 Bunning, JimJim BunningHall of Fame P 1964–1969
1970–1971
1984 Delahanty, EdEd DelahantyHall of Fame OF 1888–1889
1891–1901
1985 Williams, CyCy Williams OF 1918–1930
1986 Hamner, GrannyGranny Hamner SS 1944–1959
1987 Owens, PaulPaul Owens MGR
GM
EXEC
1972, 1983–1984
1972–1983
1984–2003
1988 Carlton, SteveSteve CarltonHall of Fame P 1972–1986
1989 Schmidt, MikeMike SchmidtHall of Fame 3B 1972–1989
1990 Bowa, LarryLarry Bowa SS
MGR
1970–1981
2001–2004
1991 Short, ChrisChris Short P 1959–1972
1992 Simmons, CurtCurt Simmons P 1947–1960
1993 Allen, DickDick Allen 1B/3B/OF 1963–1969
1975–1976
1994 Jones, WillieWillie Jones 3B 1947–1959
1995 Thompson, SamSam ThompsonHall of Fame OF 1889–1898
1996 Callison, JohnnyJohnny Callison OF 1960–1969
1997 Luzinski, GregGreg Luzinski OF 1970–1980
1998 McGraw, TugTug McGraw P 1975–1984
1999 Cravath, GavvyGavvy Cravath OF
MGR
1912–1920
1919–1920
2000 Maddox, GarryGarry Maddox OF 1975–1986
2001 Taylor, TonyTony Taylor 2B 1960–1971
1974–1976
2002 Magee, SherrySherry Magee OF 1904–1914
2003 Hamilton, BillyBilly HamiltonHall of Fame OF 1890–1895
2005 Boone, BobBob Boone C 1972–1982
2006 Green, DallasDallas Green P
MGR
1960–1967
1979–1981
2007 Vukovich, JohnJohn Vukovich INF
CO
EXEC
1970–1971, 1976–1981
1988–2004
2004–2007
2008 Samuel, JuanJuan Samuel 2B
CO
1983–1989
2011–2017
2009 Kalas, HarryHarry KalasHall of Fame TV 1971–2009
2010 Daulton, DarrenDarren Daulton C 1983
1985–1997
2011 Kruk, JohnJohn Kruk 1B
TV
1989–1994
2017–present
2012 Lieberthal, MikeMike Lieberthal C 1994–2006
2013 Schilling, CurtCurt Schilling P 1992–2000
2014 Manuel, CharlieCharlie Manuel MGR 2005–2013
2015 Burrell, PatPat Burrell OF 2000–2008
2016 Thome, JimJim ThomeHall of Fame 1B 2003–2005, 2012
2017 no inductees–see Pete Rose
2018 Gillick, PatPat GillickHall of Fame GM
EXEC
2005–2008
2008–present
Halladay, RoyRoy HalladayHall of Fame P 2010–2013
2019 Abreu, BobbyBobby Abreu OF 1998–2006
2020 Trillo, MannyManny Trillo 2B 1979–1982
2022 McBride, BakeBake McBride RF/CF 1977–1981
Reed, RonRon Reed P 1976–1983
2023 Ruly Carpenter EXEC 1981
John Quinn GM 1972
Rolen, ScottScott RolenHall of Fame 3B 2002


Centennial Team

In 1983, the Phillies chose their Centennial Team to honor the best players from the first 100 years of the franchise.

List of players honored as Centennial Team members
Player Position
Ashburn, RichieRichie AshburnHall of Fame CF
Boone, BobBob Boone C
Bowa, LarryLarry Bowa SS
Carlton, SteveSteve CarltonHall of Fame LHP
Maddox, GarryGarry Maddox CF
Green, DallasDallas Green MGR
Konstanty, JimJim Konstanty RHP
Ennis, DelDel Ennis OF
McGraw, TugTug McGraw LHP
Roberts, RobinRobin RobertsHall of Fame RHP
Rose, PetePete Rose 1B
Schmidt, MikeMike SchmidtHall of Fame 3B
Trillo, MannyManny Trillo 2B

Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

Many Phillies players, managers, and broadcasters have been inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.

Phillies in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Ashburn, RichieRichie Ashburn CF
Broadcaster
1948–1959
1963–1997
2004
Carlton, SteveSteve Carlton P 1972–1986 2004
Kalas, HarryHarry Kalas Broadcaster 1971–2009 2004
Roberts, RobinRobin Roberts P 1948–1961 2004
Schmidt, MikeMike Schmidt 3B 1972–1989 2004
Alexander, Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland Alexander P 1911–1917, 1930 2005
Campbell, BillBill Campbell Broadcaster 1963–1970 2005
Ennis, DelDel Ennis OF 1946–1956 2006
Klein, ChuckChuck Klein RF 1928–1933
1936–1939
1940–1944
2007
Delahanty, EdEd Delahanty LF 1891–1901 2008
Bowa, LarryLarry Bowa SS
Coach
Manager
1970–1981
2001–2004
1989–1996
2014–present
2009
Allen, DickDick Allen 1B / 3B 1963–1969
1975–1976
2010
McGraw, TugTug McGraw P 1975–1984 2010
Simmons, CurtCurt Simmons P 1947–1960 2011
Baker, DanDan Baker P.A. Announcer 1972–present 2012
Callison, JohnnyJohnny Callison RF 1960–1969 2012
Luzinski, GregGreg Luzinski LF 1970–1980 2013
Walters, BuckyBucky Walters P / 3B 1934–1938 2013
Bender, ChiefChief Bender P 1916–1917 2014
Saam, ByBy Saam Broadcaster 1939–1950
1955–1975
2014
Schilling, CurtCurt Schilling P 1992–2000 2014
Maddox, GarryGarry Maddox CF 1975–1986 2015
Thompson, SamSam Thompson RF 1889–1898 2015
Manuel, CharlieCharlie Manuel Manager 2005–2013 2016
Short, ChrisChris Short P 1959–1972 2016
Boone, BobBob Boone C 1972–1981 2017
Murtaugh, DannyDanny Murtaugh 2B 1941–1943, 1946 2018
Cravath, GavvyGavvy Cravath RF
Manager
1912–1920
1919–1920
2018
Moyer, JamieJamie Moyer P 2006–2010 2018
Owens, PaulPaul Owens GM
Manager
1972–1984
1972, 1983–1984
2019
Williams, CyCy Williams OF 1918–1930 2020
Montgomery, DavidDavid Montgomery Executive 1971–2019 2020

Team Captains

  • Jimmie Wilson 1927–1928
  • Fresco Thompson 1928–1930
  • Granny Hamner 1952–1959
  • Mike Schmidt 1978–1979

Minor League Teams

Cokepark allentown
Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs

The Philadelphia Phillies have seven minor league teams where young players develop their skills.

Class Team League Location Ballpark Affiliated
Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs International League Allentown, Pennsylvania Coca-Cola Park 2008
Double-A Reading Fightin Phils Eastern League Reading, Pennsylvania FirstEnergy Stadium 1967
High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws South Atlantic League Lakewood, New Jersey ShoreTown Ballpark 2001
Single-A Clearwater Threshers Florida State League Clearwater, Florida BayCare Ballpark 1985
Rookie FCL Phillies Florida Complex League Clearwater, Florida Carpenter Complex 2021
DSL Phillies Red Dominican Summer League Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional Philadelphia Phillies Complex 2017
DSL Phillies White

Radio and Television

Phillies-Parade Harry-K crop
Harry Kalas, Phillies broadcaster from 1971 to 2009

As of 2024, you can listen to Phillies games on WIP-FM (94.1 FM) radio. Scott Franzke does the play-by-play, and Larry Andersen and Kevin Stocker provide commentary.

You can watch Phillies games on TV through NBC Sports Philadelphia and WCAU (NBC Channel 10). Tom McCarthy calls the games, with John Kruk, Rubén Amaro Jr., Ben Davis, and Mike Schmidt as commentators.

For Spanish speakers, games are broadcast on WTTM (1680 AM).

Other popular Phillies broadcasters from the past include By Saam, Bill Campbell, Richie Ashburn, and Harry Kalas. Harry Kalas, who passed away in 2009, was a beloved voice for the Phillies. His famous home run call, "That ball is outta here!", is still played at Citizens Bank Park when a Phillies player hits a home run.

The restaurant at Citizens Bank Park is named "Harry the K's" in Kalas' honor. When the Phillies win at home, Kalas' recording of "High Hopes" is played for fans leaving the stadium.

The Phillies' public-address (PA) announcer is Dan Baker, who has been with the team since 1972.

In 2011, the Phillies upgraded the video screen at Citizens Bank Park, making it the largest in the National League. In 2023, they upgraded it again to an even bigger 4K screen.

Community Involvement

Helping Others

Since 1984, the Phillies have supported research for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, through their "Phillies Phestival." This event has raised over $10 million to help fight ALS. The ALS Association of Philadelphia is the Phillies' main charity.

Education Programs

The Phillies have a reading program called "Phanatic About Reading." It encourages students from kindergarten to eighth grade to read for at least 15 minutes every night. This program helps kids improve their reading skills. "Phillies Phundamentals" is another program that uses baseball to make learning fun and support school skills.

The Phillies also celebrate teachers during their annual Teacher Appreciation Night.

Fan Support and Reputation

PhilsMetsFight
Phillies fans, known for their passion, sometimes clash with rival fans.

Phillies fans are known for being very passionate and sometimes a bit rowdy. They are famous for cheering loudly for their team and sometimes booing opposing players. For example, in 1999, fans threw batteries at J. D. Drew because he chose not to sign with the Phillies after being drafted.

Many sports writers have noted how enthusiastic Phillies fans are. When the Phillies won the World Series in 1980, pitcher Tug McGraw famously told New York fans they could "take this championship and shove it," which got a huge cheer from Philadelphia fans.

When the Phillies moved to Veterans Stadium, they had a group of female ushers called the "Hot Pants Patrol." The team also had mascots named Philadelphia Phil and Phyllis, who would "hit" a Liberty Bell after a home run. These mascots were not very popular. In 1978, the team introduced a new mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, who became very successful and is known as "baseball's best mascot."

In Phillies fan culture, it's common to change an "f" to a "ph" in words, like "Phillie Phanatic."

The Phillies have a very strong fan base. They often sell out their home games and have had over 3 million fans attend games each year since moving to Citizens Bank Park. In 2011 and 2012, the Phillies led all of Major League Baseball in attendance.

The Phillies also have active fan groups on social media around the world, including in the UK and France.

Images for kids

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Philadelphia Phillies para niños

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