Fantasy Baseball 2009 - Philadelphia Phillies

History

Philadelphia Phillies, a professional baseball team, is one of five teams in the East Division of the National League. The Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and wear white and red uniforms. The team’s name is the oldest in major league baseball.

Philadelphia became a NL powerhouse in the late 1970s, capturing five division titles from 1976 to 1983, including three straight under Manager Danny Ozark. The Phillies won their first World Series championship in 1980, defeating the Kansas City Royals with a lineup that featured veteran superstars Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, outfielder Greg Luzinski, and pitchers Steve Carlton and Tug McGraw. The Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, who ranks in the top ten on the all-time home run list, won three NL most valuable player awards. He also led the league in home runs eight times, a record surpassed only by the 12 homerun titles won by Babe Ruth. Carlton won 329 games and four Cy Young Awards in his long career.

In their 98th season, the Phillies won their third NL pennant and first World Series in 1980 under manager Dallas Green. Schmidt led the NL in home runs and RBIs, capturing his first of three MVP awards. Pete Rose topped the NL in doubles as Carlton won his third Cy Young Award and Tug McGraw provided outstanding relief pitching. The combination of solid hitting and pitching helped Philadelphia overpower the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.

In 1983 the franchise reunited Rose with two former teammates from the Cincinnati Reds—second baseman Joe Morgan and first baseman Tony Perez. The three veterans sparked the Phillies to the NL pennant that year before losing to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

After a ten-year drought, Philadelphia won another pennant in 1993. The Phillies were led by catcher Darren Daulton, outfielder Lenny Dykstra, first baseman John Kruk, and relief pitcher Mitch Williams. In the World Series, however, the Phillies lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Phillies soon faded and had little success in the mid- and late 1990s.

In 2008 the Phillies played and defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series for their second title. They returned to the World Series the very next season only to fall victim to the New York Yankees. The Phillies having one of the best teams in baseball lead by superstar slugger Ryan Howard are a threat every season to take home the title.

Team Names

· Philadelphia Phillies (1884 – Present)

· Philadelphia Quakers (1883 – 1889, used interchangeably with Phillies)

Stadiums Played In

· Citizens Bank Park (2004 – present)

· Veterans Stadium (1971 – 2003)

· Connie Mack Stadium (1927, 1983 – 1970)

· Baker Bowl (1887 – 1926, 1928 – 1938)

· Recreation Park (1883 – 1886)

Titles

World Series (2008, 1980)

National League Pennants (2009, 2008, 1993, 1983, 1980, 1950, 1915)

East Division Title (2009, 2008, 2007, 1993, 1983, 1980, 1978, 1977, 1976)

Active Roster

Danys Baez

Antonio Batardo

Joe Blanton

Drew Carpenter

Jose Contreras

Chad Durbin

Sergio Escalona

Yohan Flande

Roy Halladay

Cole Hamels

J.A. Happ

David Herndon

Kyle Kendrick

Brad Lidge

Ryan Madson

Scott Mathieson

Jamie Moyer

Drew Naylor

J.C. Ramirez

J.C. Romero

Jesus Sanchez

Mike Zagurski

Catcher

Carlos Ruiz

Brian Schneider

Infielders

Brian Bocock

Juan Castro

Greg Dobbs

Ryan Howard

Placido Polanco

Jimmy Rollins

Chase Utley

Outfielders

Quintin Berry

Ben Francisco

Ross Gload

Raul Ibanez

John Mayberry

Shane Victorino

Jayson Werth