Philadelphia Phillies

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citizens Bank Park, located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

History

The Phillies were established in 1883 as the "Quakers" and have since become one of the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchises in American professional sports. The team has won two World Series championships, in 1980 and 2008, and seven National League pennants, the first of which came in 1915.

Early Years

The team struggled in its early years, often finishing near the bottom of the standings. However, the Phillies saw their first taste of success in 1915 when they won their first NL pennant, led by pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander.

The Whiz Kids

In 1950, the Phillies won the NL pennant with a young team known as the "Whiz Kids," featuring future Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts. However, they were swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series.

1980 World Series

The Phillies won their first World Series in 1980, defeating the Kansas City Royals in six games. The team was led by Mike Schmidt, who won the NL MVP that year, and pitcher Steve Carlton.

2008 World Series

The Phillies' second World Series title came in 2008 when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games. Key players included Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and pitcher Cole Hamels, who was named the World Series MVP.

Ballparks

The Phillies have played in several ballparks throughout their history. They started at Recreation Park, moved to Baker Bowl, then to Shibe Park (later known as Connie Mack Stadium), and finally to Veterans Stadium before settling at Citizens Bank Park.

Rivalries

The Phillies have notable rivalries with the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and the Washington Nationals. These rivalries are fueled by geographic proximity and competitive matchups over the years.

Notable Players

Some of the most notable players in Phillies history include:

• Mike Schmidt
• Steve Carlton
• Richie Ashburn
• Robin Roberts
• Ryan Howard
• Chase Utley
• Jimmy Rollins

Retired Numbers

The Phillies have retired several numbers in honor of their greatest players:

• 1 - Richie Ashburn
• 14 - Jim Bunning
• 20 - Mike Schmidt
• 32 - Steve Carlton
• 36 - Robin Roberts
• 42 - Jackie Robinson (retired league-wide)

See Also

• List of Philadelphia Phillies seasons
• Philadelphia Phillies all-time roster
• Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders
• Philadelphia Phillies team records
• Philadelphia Phillies minor league players