The Mount RushWAR series will allow us to take a more in-depth look at the careers of the four players with the highest bWAR in each franchise’s history.
Ted Williams (123.1)
Background
Ted Williams was born and raised in San Diego, California. A graduate of Herbert Hoover High School, Williams got his start in pro-ball right in his own back yard with the San Diego Padres, then members of the Double-A Pacific Coast League.
In 1937, while playing for the Padres, Williams was identified as a big league prospect. White Sox Mount RushWAR honoree, Eddie Collins, then the General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, acquired Williams from the Padres after his age-18 season.
Williams spent his age-19 season dominating the Double-A American Association for the Minneapolis Millers. He hit .366 with 43 homers, placing himself firmly on the big club’s radar for 1939.
Red Sox Career
Immediate Impact
Williams made the opening day roster for Boston in 1939. The 20-year-old outfielder was as good as advertised. Williams finished third in the league with 160 OPS+, and led the league with 145 RBI. He finished fourth in the MVP voting after his rookie season. Boston won 89 games, but finished second to the Yankees.
In 1940, Williams was again the third best hitter in the American League at 161 OPS+. He led the league with a .442 OBP, and 134 runs. Williams was selected for what would be the first of 17 seasons as an American League All Star. Boston finished in fourth place at 82-72.
.406
1941 would turn out to be among the most important years in United States history. With the nation drifting closer to eventual entry into World War II, baseball provided a welcomed distraction from world affairs. Ted Williams was right at the center of one of baseball’s most magical summers.
Williams got off to a slow start with just 19 plate appearances through the team’s first nine games in April. By the end of the month, he was playing every day, and on the verge of one of the hottest streaks of his career.
He hit .436/.540/.683 in the month of May. He finished the month in the midst of a 23-game hitting streak that would carry into June.
His season batting average crested on June 6 at .436. Although he couldn’t hold that pace, he was still hitting .404 at the end of the month.
July brought the “low point” in his season. His average dipped to .393 on July 19. He got back to .400 on July 25, and would seldom drop below that magic number the rest of the season.
From July 25 onward, Williams finished the season on a torrid pace. Over his final 64 games, he hit .417/.594/.804 with 19 homers, and an incredible 87 walks against just 15 strikeouts.
After a 4-17 stretch in late-September, his average dipped to .39955 on September 27. With the Red Sox eliminated from playoff contention, destined to yet again finish second to the Yankees, manager Joe Cronin gave Williams the option to sit out the final day and hang onto his rounded .400 average. Williams famously elected to play, finishing 6-8 on the day, and .406 on the season.
On some levels, Williams’s season is held in even greater esteem in modern times than it was as it happened. Joe DiMaggio’s record-setting 56-game hitting streak the same summer for the first-place Yankees stole some of Williams’s thunder. There have been 27 times a player ended his season with an average above .400. It had been 11 years since Bill Terry hit .401 for the New York Giants, and it was not apparent that Williams would be perhaps the last to accomplish the feat.
Before the War
1942 was yet another excellent season for Williams. Four seasons into his big league career, it was clear that Williams was one of the game’s greatest players.
From 1939-1942, Williams averaged .356/.481/.642, 190 OPS+, and 8.6 bWAR per season. He was a three-time All Star with two batting championships, and two home run titles to his credit. He had finished second in the MVP voting back-to-back seasons in 1941-1942.
World War II
With the United States military embroiled in the Second World War, Williams enlisted in the navy’s aviation program in 1943. He spent the next three years serving in the armed forces. Williams initially trained as a naval pilot before joining the Marine Corps. Upon joining the Marines, Williams was quickly assigned duties as a flight instructor during the late stages of the Pacific War.
Although Williams never served in combat, his commitment to the service of his country would become a hallmark of his legacy.
1946: Return to Baseball
The Red Sox struggled mightily without their star slugger from 1943-1945 and failed to finish above .500 during that stretch. Following the end of the War in 1945, Williams returned to the Red Sox for the 1946 season.
Now in his age-27 season, Williams proved he was still among the game’s best players despite his time away from the game. Williams was the best player in the American League in 1946. He led the league in runs (142), walks (156), OBP (.497), slugging (.667), OPS+ (215), and bWAR (10.9).
Williams joined fellow Red Sox Franchise PhenomsBobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio, to form the core of a Red Sox offense that led the league by scoring 88 more runs than the next closest team. The Red Sox won 104 games to cruise to the American League pennant.
In the 1946 World Series, Boston faced the St. Louis Cardinals. Williams hit just .200/.333/.200, and the Cardinals took the series in seven games.
Ted Williams was the American League MVP in 1946. The Red Sox would never play another postseason game during the Ted Williams era.
1947-1951
Coming off a brilliant MVP season, Williams proved he had plenty left in the tank. Over the next five years, Williams averaged .340/.483/.619, 184 OPS+, and 7.7 bWAR per season. He won two more batting titles, and twice more led the league in homers during this stretch.
Williams was an All Star in each of the six seasons between his two stints in the armed forces.
He added his second MVP award in 1949 when he led the league in runs (150), doubles (39), homers (43), RBI (159), walks (162), OBP (.490), slugging (.650), OPS+ (191), and bWAR (9.1).
The Korean War
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when the North Korean Army invaded South Korea. With the government of the United States committed to combating the spread of communism even in foreign nations, American military involvement in the region quickly escalated.
As the war expanded, the Marines recalled experienced pilots to active duty. Williams got his orders just six games into the 1952 season. After training to operate the new planes, Williams headed to Korea on active duty in early 1953. Williams flew 39 combat missions in Korea and, on a few occasions, was lucky to return alive.
Williams was sent home in June after a series of illnesses. He was formally discharged when a cease-fire went into effect the following month. Williams was selected as an All Star in 1953 despite playing just 37 games after he returned home. In total, he had just 122 plate appearances in 43 games sandwiched around his time in the service in 1952-1953.
“The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived”
Ted Williams returned to the Red Sox full-time in 1954. Although he increasingly dealt with injuries and physical ailments into his late-30s, it was this stretch of his career where Williams cemented his place in baseball history.
In the final seven seasons of his career from 1954-1960, Williams was every bit the hitter he had always been. He averaged .337/.477/.624, 189 OPS+, and 5.3 bWAR per season. He made the All Star team in each season, and finished seventh, or better, in the MVP race five times. Even in his final season at age 41, Williams produced 190 OPS+ in 113 games.
Legacy
In 19 seasons with the Red Sox, Ted Williams was an All Star in 17 seasons. A two-time MVP who twice won the Triple Crown, Williams is in a category all by himself in Boston lore.
He is Boston’s career leader in average (.344), OBP (.482), slugging (.634), homers (521), walks (2021), and OPS+ (190).
His advanced knowledge and understanding of the game served as the foundation of a legend that goes beyond being the very best at what he did. Williams literally wrote the book on hitting.
His career bWAR ranks 14th in history despite missing nearly five full seasons during his prime while serving in the military. Williams has the highest OBP in big league history, and ranks second in slugging. Any way you slice it, Teddy Ballgame is one of the greatest players in baseball history.
Philadelphia Phillies Franchise Phenom Chase Utley was released from his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The move was meant to facilitate his retirement. To commemorate the end of his great career, we take a look back at one of the greatest players in Phillies franchise history. We will also explore where Utley’s legacy leaves him in the history of our great game.
Chase Utley was born and raised in Southern California. Utley was selected by his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1997 amateur draft out of Polytechnic High School in Long Beach. Rather than sign with the Dodgers, he enrolled at UCLA. Following his junior season for the Bruins, Utley was selected 15th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2000 draft.
Utley quickly rose through the Philadelphia farm system. By 2002, the 23-year-old infielder was in Triple-A, clearly among the best prospects in the minors.
Time Lost
The Phillies sent Utley back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin 2003 in what would prove to be a foolish maneuver. He dominated the International League during his second stint in Triple-A while the Phillies received brutal production from a pair of veteran third basemen. Utley held his own in a 43-game trial, most of which was in August and September. The Phillies won 86 games, and finished five out of the postseason.
Inexplicably, the Phillies jerked him around again at the start of the 2004 season. Utley spent April back in Triple-A before finally earning a permanent place with the big club. David Bell was better at third than he had been the year before, and Placido Polanco was steady at second. Utley managed just 287 plate appearances in the big leagues in his age 25 season. The Phillies again won 86 games, this time finishing six out of the playoffs.
In light of the career that Utley went on to have, it is fair to wonder how much different Phillies history may have been if they had committed to him sooner. For a team in playoff contention for most of 2003-2004, an earlier emergence for one of the greatest players in franchise history could have swung the balance in their favor. Unfortunately, we will never know.
Phillies Career
The Phillies finally committed to Utley more completely in 2005. Polanco was dealt to Detroit in June, and second base in Philadelphia belonged to Chase Utley. In 147 games, he hit .291/.376/.540, good for 132 OPS+. He received some down ballot MVP votes at the conclusion of the year. The team’s inexcusable decision to stick with David Bell through his second miserable season in three years probably cost them the playoffs. With 88 wins, they finished one game out of the Wild Card, and two games out of the Division lead.
2006 would be the sixth straight 80+ win season, none of which resulted in a playoff appearance. Utley made his first All Star team and led the league with 131 runs. He also won his first Silver Slugger, and finished seventh in the MVP voting. With 85 wins, the Phillies were three games out of the Wild Card.
Getting Over The Hump
Following an extended run of respectable mediocrity, better days were ahead for the Phillies starting in 2007. Chase Utley would be right at the center of things.
From 2007-2011, the Phillies won five straight division championships. Utley hit .290/.386/.583, 132 OPS+, and averaged 6.9 bWAR during that stretch. On teams littered with some of the greatest players in franchise history, Chase Utley was arguably the best of them all.
2008
The 2007 Phillies won the NL East, but were swept in the NLDS by the Rockies. With the roster largely intact, Philadelphia repeated as division champs in 2008. Franchise PhenomsCole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins were excellent. Ryan Howard was still among the game’s most feared sluggers, and Brad Lidge was arguably the best reliever in baseball.
On a team loaded with talent, Chase Utley was clearly the best player on the roster. 2008 was Utley’s career year as his usual stellar offense was accompanied by perhaps the best defensive season of his career. He finished with a career best 9.0 bWAR.
2008 Playoffs
In the NLDS the Phillies were matched up with Wild Card team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Although Utley was the least productive regular in the Phillies lineup, his teammates carried him. Philadelphia won the series in four games and rolled into the NLCS.
In the NLCS, the Phillies had home field advantage over the NL West Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. With their ace Cole Hamels rested, and at the height of his powers, Philadelphia was at a decided advantage.
After a rough NLDS, Utley was excellent against the Dodgers. Hamels controlled Game One, holding L.A. to two runs in seven innings. It was Utley’s two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game. Left fielder Pat Burrell followed suit two batters later to put the Phillies on top for good.
Utley walked four times in five trips to the plate in Game Two. His teammates slugged out an 8-5 win to take commanding position in the series.
Out west, the Dodgers took Game Three. The Phillies answered back in Game Four. Utley had three hits and an RBI in the win. In Game Five, Utley was 0-4 but walked twice and scored. Hamels allowed one run over seven innings, and the Phillies clinched their first World Series trip since 1980. Utley hit .353/.522/.647 in the series to lead the offense.
2008 World Series
Coming off an incredible Game Seven victory over the Red Sox in the ALCS, the Tampa Bay Rays were riding hot. Themselves winners of 97 games in the regular season, the Rays were loaded with some of their own franchise greats.
Hamels was rested enough to start Game One. Utley delivered the first blow with a two-run homer off Scott Kazmir in the top of the first. Hamels allowed two runs in seven innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Philadelphia took the opener 3-2.
James Shields held the Phillies at bay in Game Two. Tampa won 4-2 to even the series.
Utley delivered again in Game Three. This time it was a solo homer off Matt Garza to lead off the bottom of the sixth to extend the Phillies lead to 3-1. They held on to win 5-4.
The Philadelphia offense exploded in Game Four behind Joe Blanton. Ryan Howard homered twice, and drove in five runs. Utley walked twice and scored a pair of runs. The Phillies won 10-2 to take a 3-1 series lead.
Game Five featured Hamels against Kazmir again. Hamels cemented his place as the World Series MVP allowing just two runs over six innings. In a game that was ultimately decided by the bullpens, Philadelphia won 4-3 to secure their second championship in franchise history. Utley hit just .167 in the series, but homered twice, walked five times, ultimately leading the Phillies with five runs scored.
Repeat?
The 2009 Phillies returned the core of their championship team. The additions of veterans Raul Ibanez and Cliff Lee as well as the emergence of J.A. Happ helped infuse the team with new blood as well. With 93 wins, the Phillies took their third straight NL East title.
For the fourth straight season, Chase Utley was an All Star and received MVP votes. His 8.2 bWAR was only slightly lower than his 2008 career year. His consistently excellent play was once again a driving force in the team’s success.
In a series that featured three one-run games, the Phillies defeated the Rockies in four games in the NLDS. Utley hit .429/.556/.643 to help lead the way.
For the second straight season, the Phillies met the Dodgers in the NLCS. Utley struggled, but still managed to reach base eight times in five games. The offense and starting rotation carried a suspect bullpen in blowout wins in the third and fifth games. The Phillies took the series in five to win their second straight National League pennant.
In the World Series, the Phillies were matched up with the New York Yankees. Utley was otherworldly. In six games, he hit .286/.400/1.048. His five homers, seven runs, and eight RBI were tops for the series. Unfortunately, the pitching staff was less impressive. The Yankees took the series in six to dethrone the defending champs.
Super Teams (2010-2011)
With their remarkable core of position players still under team control, and nearing the end of their respective primes, the clock was ticking after 2009. To their great credit, Phillies management went all in. In December 2009, they traded for another ace in Roy Halladay.
When the 2010 team made a late push to close the gap in the division to 3.5 games in late July, the front office acted again. They shipped three talented young players, including Happ, to the Astros for veteran ace Roy Oswalt.
With three of the best pitchers in baseball on their staff, the Phillies finally overtook the Braves in September. They finished the season with 97 wins and their fourth straight NL East title.
2010 Playoffs
Utley was yet again at the heart of things when the Phillies swept the Reds in the NLDS. His three runs, and four RBI led the way. When Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter in Game One, it seemed the Phillies might be the favorites heading deeper into October.
Unfortunately, the Phillies ran into another loaded pitching staff in the NLCS. The San Francisco Giants matched the Phillies pitch for pitch. After three one-run victories, the Giants sent the Phillies home in six games.
2011
With the core of their offense returning, and one of the most talented starting rotations in modern history, the 2011 Phillies were a juggernaut. At 3.8 bWAR, Utley ranked just fifth on the team behind the trio of aces Lee, Halladay, and Hamels as well as center fielder Shane Victorino. Their 102-60 record is the best in franchise history.
When the most talented team in franchise history lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games in the NLDS, it was a crushing blow. A veteran team with dominant starting pitching, and a core of position players who had won rings just a few years before, the Phillies were widely considered the favorites in 2011. For his part, Utley was excellent leading the Phillies offense with a .438/.571/.688 line in the series.
It Ended Without Us Knowing
With the bulk of the team returning yet again in 2012, it seemed the Phillies were as good a bet as anyone to head back to the postseason. Then the season began, and it quickly became apparent that 2012 was a new year. By June 12, the Phillies were 9.5 games out. They never led the division after opening day.
Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz were still solid on offense. Hamels and Lee were still among the games best starters. Unfortunately, everyone else struggled. The remaining core group of veterans looked significantly older. The optimism that persisted even after their disappointing loss in 2011 was quickly gone as the team had to confront the prospect of an expensive core of veterans aging in a less than graceful fashion.
Utley remained one of the top second basemen in the game in 2013-2014. Most efforts to patch the roster failed, however. The core of some of the greatest teams in Phillies history was depleted beyond repair.
In 2015, father time finally caught up to Utley as well. After 73 rough games, the Phillies traded one of the greatest players in their history to the eventual NL West champion Dodgers in an under the radar August deal.
After Philadelphia
After moving to the Dodgers, Utley instantly went from being the face of a franchise to just another player. He was acquired not to save the team, but to support it.
From 2015-2018, Utley served as a semi-regular player, platoon option, and veteran leader in Los Angeles. On a wonderfully deep and versatile roster, Utley was just one of the boys. Still, he contributed to four straight division champions. He even returned to the World Series in 2017 when the Dodgers were defeated by the Houston Astros.
Utley announced his intention to retire after the 2018 season before it concluded. The Dodgers made the World Series for the second straight season in 2018, but were defeated by the Boston Red Sox in five games. Utley was left off the playoff roster.
Legacy
I like Chase Utley as a Hall of Fame candidate. At the same time, I suspect that many modern baseball fans have severely underappreciated him. There are probably a variety of factors at play here.
His particular contributions were diverse and wide-ranging. Chase Utley was good at just about everything on a baseball field. At the same time, he was not elite at most of those things outside of the occasional peak season in one skill or another. Because he was above-average or better at just about everything, he was always great even when it wasn’t totally obvious.
Beyond his sneaky greatness, or perhaps because of it, Utley was often not identified as the best player on his own team. Howard and Rollins each won NL MVP awards in seasons when Chase Utley was actually the best player on the Phillies.
Finally, his delayed ascension to big league stardom is probably still a factor even after a stellar 16-year career. Utley didn’t debut until he was 24. He wasn’t an everyday player until he was 26. Most Hall of Fame players simply get started younger. That lost time cost him some important counting stats in the end.
Chase Utley was a six-time All Star and won four Silver Sluggers. He received MVP votes four times, but never finished higher than seventh. Viewing him in the context of his place among the all-time Phillies greats might be the most favorable light in which to appreciate his excellent career.
Utley is ranked as the 11th best second baseman in history by JAWS. He comes in right above the current average for Hall of Famers at the position. His peak was fairly short by Hall of Fame standards, but that shouldn’t detract from his case. As a great player on great teams, his intangibles should earn him any benefit of the doubt.
Chase Utley’s Career Highlights from Major League Baseball
Minnesota Twins all-time great Joe Mauer announced his retirement on Friday. To commemorate the end of his great career, we take a look back at one of the greatest players in Twins franchise history. We will also explore where Mauer’s legacy leaves him in the history of our great game.
Background
Joe Mauer was born and raised in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. A legendary high school athlete for Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Mauer was highly accomplished in multiple sports. As a quarterback, Mauer was committed to play for Florida State. For all of his gridiron prowess, Mauer’s destiny was on the diamond.
With the first pick in the 2001 MLB draft, the Minnesota Twins were faced with a dilemma. The consensus top prospect in the draft was Southern California rigth-hander Mark Prior. A dominant arm assured to arrive quickly in the majors, Prior was at the top of virtually every evaluator’s list that spring. When the Twins balked at Prior’s contract demands, they turned to the elite prep catcher in their own backyard instead.
Drafted into a scenario fraught with potential downside, Mauer had much to prove. The reports on his tools included an elite swing, athleticism and plus, or better, tools on the defensive side. Still, the pick felt to many observers like little more than a penny-pinching maneuver from the Twins. Prior’s quick ascent to the big leagues less than a year after being drafted didn’t do Mauer, or the Twins, any favors either.
As Prior quickly became a household name, Mauer methodically worked his way through the minors. While Prior finished third in the Cy Young race in 2003, Mauer finished his age-20 season at Double-A New Britain.
Getting Settled In
Despite the fact that Mauer was Baseball America’s top prospect heading into the 2004 season, it was unclear whether he would ever live up to his draft position, or live down the reputation of being selected before Prior. Mauer made his debut in 2004, but struggled with injuries and played just 35 games at the big league level.
In 2005, Mauer was healthy and immediately proved himself to be an above-average big league catcher. He hit .294/.372/.411, 107 OPS+ and produced 2.8 bWAR. By this point, it was clear that even if the Twins had not taken the best player in the draft, Mauer would be a fixture in Minnesota for years to come.
Breakout and Prime
2006 was Joe Mauer’s coming-out party. Mauer hit .347/.429/.507, 144 OPS+ and won the American League batting title. At 5.8 bWAR, Mauer was the most valuable catcher in baseball. He was selected to the All Star team for the first time, and won his first Silver Slugger.
Mauer’s breakout was well timed with those of a number of his teammates. First baseman Justin Morneau won the MVP in 2006. Left-hander Johan Santana won his second Cy Young Award. 22-year-old lefty Francisco Liriano came out of nowhere to join the rotation. He posted an even better ERA+ than Santana. Closer Joe Nathan was arguably the best reliever in the game.
The Twins surged to 96 wins and the American League Central championship before being swept in the ALDS by the Oakland Athletics. Despite the heartbreaking end to an excellent season, the five best players on the 2006 Twins were under 30 and returning. The future was bright in Minnesota with Mauer leading the way.
In a regrettable twist of fate, 2006 was also the last time Mark Prior pitched in the Major Leagues. A series of injuries held him to just 43.2 innings that season, and kept him from ever returning to a big league mound. Prior was a brilliant supernova whose 16.6 career bWAR would still rank fourth best in his draft class despite not pitching after age 25. The top pick, Joe Mauer, would end up being the top player in the 2001 draft after all.
Mauer came back to earth a little in 2007. Although his underlying skills were well intact, his BABIP dropped 45 points and his overall line suffered. He finished the year at 118 OPS+ with 3.9 bWAR. Morneau and Santana regressed as well. Liriano missed the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was never quite the same again. The Twins finished 79-83.
Baseball’s Best Backstop
With Santana headed towards a mega-contract in free agency, Minnesota dealt him to the Mets in February, 2008. Joe Mauer was now, officially, the face of his hometown franchise. Mauer responded with a stretch that included some of the best baseball of his career.
Still just 25 years old, Mauer won his second batting title in 2008. He hit .328/.413/.451, 134 OPS+ and produced 5.6 bWAR. He made his second All Star team, won his second Silver Slugger, and his first Gold Glove. Still the preeminent catcher in the game, Mauer finished fourth in the MVP race. The Twins rebounded to win 88 games, but lost a Game 163 tiebreaker to the White Sox to narrowly miss the playoffs.
2009 MVP
Mauer’s career-year came the following season. In 2009, Mauer led the American League in each of the triple-slash categories with a .365/.444/.587 line. His 171 OPS+ was also tops in the league. For the second straight year, Mauer was an All Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover. He received all but one first-place vote for MVP.
The Twins won 87 games, which was enough to win the Central this time around. Unfortunately, they were swept in the ALDS for the second time in four seasons, this time by the New York Yankees.
Back to the Playoffs
The 2010 Minnesota Twins repeated as AL Central champions, this time winning 94 games. Once again, Mauer was the best player on a division champion. He hit .327/.402/.469, good for 140 OPS+ and 5.9 bWAR. For the third straight season, Mauer was an All Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover.
Still an OBP machine, Mauer was the 10th best hitter in the American League in 2010. Notably, his power output declined precipitously. The Twins had moved into their new home ballpark at Target Field, and Mauer was impacted more than any other player. After hitting 28 homers during his MVP campaign in 2009, he hit just nine in 2010.
For the second straight season, the Twins met the Yankees in the ALDS. For the second straight season, they were dispatched in three games.
A Dark Age in Minnesota
2011 marked the beginning of a brutal stretch for the Twins. Coming off back-to-back division championships, there was reason for optimism heading into the season, but it quickly faded. The team cratered in every facet of the game and finished with the worst record in the American League.
For his part, Mauer played just 82 games in 2011. Knee and shoulder injuries combined with a virus conspired to leave Mauer battling to get healthy all season. He was never quite right and produced just 102 OPS+.
Healthy again in 2012, Mauer proved he was still a star. He produced 140 OPS+ on the strength of a league-leading .416 OBP. He was selected to the All Star team for the fifth time. A healthy Mauer was not enough to save a brutal starting rotation, and the Twins were again the worst team in the American League.
2013 was more of the same for Mauer and the Twins. The 30-year-old backstop produced 142 OPS+, making him the eighth best hitter in the A.L. Mauer was once again an All Star and Silver Slugger. The Twins continued to struggle, winning just 66 games.
Decline Phase
Unbeknownst to the baseball world, Joe Mauer’s best days were behind him by the end of 2013. A concussion suffered during the 2013 season would mark the beginning of a difficult final five seasons for the franchise icon.
To ease the burden, and limit the physical risk to their superstar, the Twins moved Mauer to first base full-time in 2014. The move largely had the desired effect on his availability. Mauer averaged 136 games over his final five seasons after averaging just 123 over his previous five. He continued to battle injuries, but was mostly available.
It quickly became clear that Mauer’s was not the same player, however. The injuries, particularly the aftereffects of his concussions, took their toll. A career 135 OPS+ hitter through 2013, Mauer averaged just 105 OPS+ from 2014-2018. His contact and on-base skills, once elite, were now merely above-average. His power, initially dampened by the move to Target Field, all but evaporated.
The Twins averaged just 75 wins per season during this stretch. Outside of a surprise 85-win season that ended in a wild card game loss to the Yankees in 2017, Minnesota was seldom relevant during Mauer’s final years.
Joe Mauer announced his retirement in November, 2018 at 35 years old. He played his entire career for his hometown Twins.
Legacy
Through 2013, Mauer boasted a career line of .323/.405/.468, 135 OPS+, and averaged 6.2 bWAR per 650 plate appearances. He had 1414 hits, 105 homers, 634 RBI, and more walks than strikeouts for his career. Joe Mauer was a surefire Hall of Famer through his age-30 season.
Then the injuries set in. Every aspect of Mauer’s game was negatively impacted by the physical beating he took during his 20s. It is now clear that the concussions, especially, chipped away at one of the greatest talents of his generation.
Mauer’s Hall of Fame candidacy likely rests solely on the extent to which the voters consider him a catcher. With 921 career appearances behind the plate, Mauer played there more than anywhere else. He also made 913 appearances as a first baseman or designated hitter.
Considered solely as a catcher, Mauer should be viewed as a slam dunk. Notably, JAWS ranks him as the 7th best catcher in history and above the average for Hall of Famers at the position.
If voters even partially penalize him for his time spent at first base, dramatic decline, or overall short career, his candidacy could be in jeopardy. When compared with first basemen, Mauer falls well short of the overall standard required for enshrinement. While it would be unfair to consider him primarily a first baseman, it’s not clear whether the voters will consider him mostly a catcher.
For my money, Joe Mauer is a Hall of Famer. He was the best catcher in baseball for nearly a decade. While it would have been better for baseball to see him have a more just decline phase, it wasn’t in the cards. Given the choice, I like peak level heroics in my Hall of Famers, even if they don’t necessarily age all that well.
Rather than focus on what didn’t go right, I prefer to remember Joe Mauer as one of the greatest catchers of my lifetime.
The Mount RushWAR series will allow us to take a more in-depth look at the careers of the four players with the highest bWAR in franchise history.
Todd Helton (61.2)
Background
Todd Helton was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from Central High School, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee. A phenomenal high school athlete, Helton was recruited to play two-sports for the Volunteers.
Despite being selected in the second round of the 1992 draft by the San Diego Padres, Helton elected to enroll at Tennessee. Unlike many two-sport collegiate players in recent years, Helton was a factor in both sports for the Vols. In football, he had a temporary spin as the starting quarterback before injury opened the door for Peyton Manning. In baseball, he was an offensive force for three seasons before a huge power surge in his junior year solidified his status as one of the best amateur players in the country.
The Rockies drafted Helton eighth overall in the 1995 draft. He opened his first full season in pro-ball with a thorough thrashing of Double-A New Haven before finishing the year with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Heading into 1997, Helton was ranked as the #16 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America.
After another excellent stint at Colorado Springs to begin 1997, the Rockies promoted Helton in August. He produced roughly league-average offense while often playing out of position in the corner outfield spots. Outside of some isolated rehab stints Helton would never return to the minors.
Rockies Career
Fellow Rockies Franchise Phenom Andres Galarraga signed as a free agent with the Braves after the 1997. Galarraga’s departure cleared Helton to return to his natural position, first base. He would remain the Rockies first option at the position for the next 16 seasons.
By the end of 1999, Helton had played 346 games at the big league level. He produced a .315/.384/.554 line, good for 119 OPS+, and 5.9 bWAR. He was an established above-average regular heading into his prime.
Breakout and Peak
As the Rockies entered a new century, 26-year-old Todd Helton was preparing to enter his magnificent prime years. Helton exploded on the National League in 2000. The sweet-swinging lefty led the league in all three triple-slash categories with a .372/.463/.698 line. His 216 hits, 59 doubles, and 157 RBI were all tops in the senior circuit. Helton made his first All Star team, won his first Silver Slugger, and finished fifth in the MVP voting. His 8.9 bWAR led the National League and would end up being a career high.
From 2000-2005, Helton was consistently one of the most feared offensive players in the game. Over that six-year stretch, he averaged .344/.449/.626, 158 OPS+, and 7.0 bWAR. He won all of his personal awards during this incredible run. Helton made five straight NL All Star teams from 2000-2004. He won four Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves. Despite his incredible play, Helton never finished higher in the MVP race than the fifth place finish he managed in 2000.
Decline
As fate would have it, Todd Helton’s best baseball was behind him by the age of 32. After finishing his ninth season with the Rockies at a career mark of 148 OPS+, Helton would never approach that level of production again.
In the eight seasons of the second half of his career, Helton would average just 111 OPS+ and 1.6 bWAR. Outside of isolated excellent seasons in 2007 (133 OPS+, 4.5 bWAR) and 2009 (127 OPS+, 3.3 bWAR), Helton was seldom above-average in his final years.
2007
Not coincidentally, the Rockies best seasons during Helton’s tenure came in the second half of the 2000s. Although past his prime, Helton was finally receiving the support he never had during his best years. Notably, fellow Mount RushWAR honoree Troy Tulowitzki, and Franchise Phenom Matt Holliday were in their primes, and among the best players in the game during this stretch.
In 2007, Helton’s bounce back campaign was a critical supporting piece for Tulo and Holliday. The Rockies finished 89-73 in a tie with the San Diego Padres for the NL Wild Card. In a tie-breaking Game 163, the Rockies earned a trip to the postseason with a 9-8 win in 13 innings. Helton showed up big including a solo homer, two walks, and two RBI.
Although Helton wasn’t much of a factor, the Rockies swept the Phillies in the NLDS to advance in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
In the NLCS, Holliday was unconscious including two homers. Helton again struggled, but the Rockies received improbably solid pitching performances en route to a sweep of the Diamondbacks.
In their first World Series appearance in franchise history, the Rockies were matched up with the AL Champion Boston Red Sox. Themselves a 96-win juggernaut, the Red Sox proved too much for the upstart Rockies. Boston dominated the first and third games while holding on for one-run wins in the second and fourth to conclude the sweep. Helton was the Rockies best hitter during the series, posting a .333/.412/.467 line.
2009
After a brutal 2008 season, the Rockies dealt Holliday to Oakland in the off-season. In an unexpected turn of events, the Rockies rebounded from the loss of Holliday by winning 90 games, and the Wild Card, for the second time in three years. At 3.3 bWAR, Helton was the Rockies’ most productive position player aside from Tulo.
The 2009 postseason was not as eventful as 2007 had been. The Rockies won Game Two of the NLDS, but the Phillies took the series in four games.
The End
Aside from a 2011 season in which he was a roughly average starting first baseman, Helton struggled mightily through the final four years of his career. Todd Helton retired after the 2013 season as the clear-cut best player in Rockies history.
Legacy
In 17 seasons with the Rockies, Todd Helton climbed to the top as the greatest player in franchise history. No player in the team’s comparatively short history has better represented the organization. He won four Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, and was a five-time All Star.
Helton is the Rockies all-time leader in games played (2247), runs (1401), hits (2519), doubles (592), homers (369), RBI (1406), and walks (1335).
Helton has a strong case for enshrinement in Cooperstown. By JAWS, Helton ranks as the 15th best first baseman in history. While that places him below the lofty average mark for the position, he is surrounded by Hall of Famers on the list.
Helton hits the ballot for the first time heading into the 2019 vote. Larry Walker’s voting results provide a potential guide for the way Helton’s candidacy may be viewed. Although modern metrics strip away ballpark context, baseball writers have long struggled to separate the Coors Field effect when evaluating Rockies players for awards. Hitters are often over-penalized and pitchers under-rewarded.
For a franchise still awaiting its first Hall of Famer, there is nobody better to end the drought than Todd Helton.
Todd Helton Career Highlights from Major League Baseball
Larry Walker (48.3)
Background
Larry Walker was born and raised in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. In November, 1984, just weeks before his 18th birthday, Walker signed as an amateur free agent with the Montreal Expos.
Walker spent most of 1985-1989 working his way up through the Expos minor league system. By the time he was 19 in 1986, it was clear that he had some of the best upside of any prospect in the system. He was in Double-A by age 20. By the end of 1989, Walker made his big league debut at 22 years old.
Expos Career
By 1990, Larry Walker was in the big leagues to stay. He quickly established himself as an above-average big leaguer during his rookie season. He averaged 3.4 bWAR during his first two full seasons.
Walker broke out in 1992. He hit .301/.353/.506, 141 OPS+ and produced 5.4 bWAR. He made the All Star team and won both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards. With a fifth place MVP finish under his belt, it appeared that the 25-year-old Walker was on his way to superstardom surrounded by a talented young core in Montreal.
Although his offensive production slipped a bit in 1993, Walker still produced 4.4 bWAR to help lead the Expos to their second straight winning season. He won his second straight Gold Glove.
The strike-shortened 1994 season forever altered the course of Expos history. When the final game was played in August, the Expos were in first place with an incredible 74-40 record. Walker himself was leading the league with 44 doubles, and producing at new heights with 151 OPS+.
Walker hit the open market after 1994. When the strike ended, the dominoes began to fall. Fellow stars Ken Hill, then Marquis Grissom, were traded with just weeks before the delayed opening day. Two days after the Grissom trade, Walker signed as a free agent with the Rockies.
Walker finished his Expos career having produced a .281/.353/.483 line, 128 OPS+, and 21.1 bWAR. Dark days were ahead in Montreal but at age 28, Walker’s career was just getting started.
Rockies Career
Larry Walker made an immediate impact upon arriving in Denver. The star right fielder filled a gaping hole in the middle of the Rockies lineup with the same type of well-rounded offensive production he had shown in Montreal. Walker was immediately the best player on the team producing 131 OPS+ and 4.7 bWAR.
The 1995 Rockies finished 77-67 to win the National League Wild Card. Walker was solid in the NLDS, hitting .214/.389/.429 against the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately, the Braves offense dominated the series. Atlanta won in four games. It would be Larry Walker’s first, and only, postseason series with the Rockies.
The Rockies finished above .500 again in 1996, but Walker played just 83 games. Although still productive when he was on the field, his unavailability for half the season was too much for the team to overcome.
Rocky Mountain Peak
Healthy again for 1997, the 30-year-old Walker was about to embark on the best stretch of his entire career. From 1997-1999 Walker averaged a preposterous .369/.451/.689 line, 167 OPS+, and 6.9 bWAR. Injuries continued to nag at him. He averaged just 137 games per year during this stretch. When he was on the field, it was clear that Walker was among the very best players in the game.
1997 was his clear-cut career-year. He led the league in homers (49), OBP (.452), slugging (.720), and bWAR (9.8). Walker was once again and All Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover. He received 22 of 28 first place votes to win the National League MVP.
In 1998-1999, Walker won back-to-back batting titles hitting .363 and .379 respectively. He paced the league in OBP (.458) and slugging (.710) again in 1999 as well.
From 1997-1999 Walker made three straight All Star teams, won three straight Gold Gloves, and won two Silver Sluggers.
Turn of the Century
Walker’s salary more than doubled from 1999 to 2000. As he moved into his mid-30s, Walker’s critics increasingly pointed to his struggles with injury. 2000 was the worst season of his career up to that point as he played just 87 games and produced 110 OPS+.
Walker was largely healthy and again excellent from 2001-2003. He averaged 140 games, .325/.431/.583, 145 OPS+, and 6.1 bWAR. He won Gold Gloves in 2001-2002, and was an All Star in 2001. Walker won his third batting title, hitting .350 in 2001. Meanwhile the Rockies struggled to find pitching and won 73-74 games each season.
In 2004, the injury bug bit again. Walker did not debut until late June. Although he was productive when he returned, the Rockies were on the way to their worst season in a decade. Despite producing 166 OPS+ in 38 games after coming off the disabled list, Walker was in limbo. The Rockies weren’t in position to win, and his salary was increasingly a burden on a losing team.
After he cleared waivers in early August, 2004, the Rockies traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cardinals Career
Walker continued to mash upon arriving in St. Louis in August, 2004. He took over in right field immediately, and produced 144 OPS+ in 44 games down the stretch. The Cardinals won 105 games, and the NL Central.
Walker was a driving force behind their offensive success in the first two rounds of the 2004 playoffs, helping to propel St. Louis to the World Series. Although Walker continued to rake during his only trip to the Fall Classic, the Cardinals were swept by a team of destiny coming out of Boston.
When available, Walker was again the regular right fielder in St. Louis in 2005. In 100 games, he produced 130 OPS+. The Cardinals won 100 games and the NL Central. St. Louis was eliminated in the NLCS by the Houston Astros.
Walker’s contract expired after the 2005 season. Although he was probably capable of continuing to contribute to a big league team offensively, a 17-year big league career had taken its toll. Rather than return at age 39, Larry Walker hung them up for good.
Legacy
In 10 seasons with the Rockies, Larry Walker treated the fans to some of the most sublimely excellent play of that era. A true five-tool talent, Walker contributed in every facet of the game for a decade. In his career, Walker was a five-time All Star, won seven Gold Gloves, and three Silver Sluggers. He won three batting titles, and an MVP for the Rockies.
Todd Helton’s longer career has afforded him most of the records for counting stats in Rockies history. Walker’s absence of a notable decline phase leaves him the dominant player in rate stats. Walker is the Rockies all-time leader in average (.334), OBP (.426), slugging (.618), and OPS+ (147).
While Helton’s Hall of Fame candidacy has not yet truly begun, Walker’s is long since underway. 2019 will be Walker’s ninth year on the ballot. According to JAWS, Walker is the 10th best right fielder in history, and just above-average for Hall of Famers at the position.
Walker’s candidacy seems to have suffered from a combination of the aforementioned Coors Field effect, and the number of his seasons that were cut short by injuries. He did experience a surge last year, jumping from 21.9% of the vote in 2017 to 34.1% in 2018. With two years remaining, it’s unclear if he will be able to close the substantial gap to the 75% needed for enshrinement.
For those who saw him play, Larry Walker’s tremendous physical talent placed him among the game’s all-time great five-tool players. Larry Walker was a Hall of Fame player. Hopefully he receives the formal honors that go with it.
Legends of the Diamond: Larry Walker from Major League Baseball
Troy Tulowitzki (39.4)
Background
Troy Tulowitzki was born and raised in the South Bay area of California. A graduate of Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, Tulo headed south to play his college ball at Long Beach State University.
A three-year starter for the Dirtbags, Tulo improved each year. As a true shortstop with impact offensive potential as well, Tulo was a top prospect by the end of his junior year. The Rockies took him seventh overall in the 2005 MLB Draft.
In 2006, the Rockies sent Tulo directly to Double-A Tulsa in the Texas League. Still just 21 years old, he lived up to his reputation in his first full season in pro ball. By the end of August, the Rockies were ready to give him a trial at the big league level. Although he struggled a bit in his first 25-game cup of coffee, it was clear Tulo was ready for the big leagues.
Rockies Career
Tulo made an immediate impact on the Rockies fortunes in 2007. His stellar glove work and above-average offensive production immediately made him one of the best shortstops in baseball. The rookie sensation produced 109 OPS+ and 6.8 bWAR (still a career-high).
October, 2007
In a tie-breaking Game 163, Tulo was 4-7 with two doubles, a triple, three runs, and an RBI as the Rockies won a 13-inning thriller 9-8 in Denver.
In the NLDS, the Rockies swept the Phillies. Tulo doubled and homered in a 10-5 Game Two victory, but otherwise struggled at the plate.
Tulo’s offensive woes continued in the NLCS. Fellow Franchise Phenom Matt Holliday caught fire to carry the team to a sweep of the division-rival Diamondbacks.
Tulo fared better in the World Series, producing .718 OPS. Unfortunately, the Boston Red Sox took one-run wins in the second and fourth games of the series to complete the sweep.
2009
Tulo experienced a rather dramatic sophomore slump in 2008. He went from being one of the best players in the game the year before to barely above replacement-level as he was both injured and ineffective. The team struggled along with him, and dealt Holliday to Oakland in the off-season.
Entering 2009, it was unclear what Rockies fans could expect from their young shortstop, or the team as a whole. Tulo answered the bell emphatically. Although his defense would never again reach the lofty heights of his rookie year, Tulo proved he had another gear offensively. In 151 games, he produced 131 OPS+ and 6.5 bWAR. He finished fifth in the MVP voting.
In an improbable turn of events, the Rockies rebounded from the loss of Holliday by winning 90 games, and the Wild Card, for the second time in three years. Tulo was once again the best player on a playoff team.
The 2009 postseason was not as eventful as 2007 had been. The Rockies won Game Two of the NLDS, but the Phillies took the series in four games.
2010-2015
After making the postseason in two of his first three years, it appeared that a team built around Troy Tulowitzki might have a chance to be a perennial playoff contender in Colorado. As fate would have it, the Rockies would have just one more winning season, and never again made the playoffs, during Tulo’s tenure.
For his part, Tulo’s play was not the problem. He was a consistently above-average, and often excellent, hitter while remaining a plus defender. Tulo made the All Star team in five of the six seasons. He won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in 2010-2011. He was arguably the best shortstop in the game for much of this period.
By 2015, the Rockies were in the midst of their fifth straight losing season. Now 30, Tulo was still productive when healthy, but had averaged just 88 games per season in the previous three years. The baseball world began to wonder if Colorado’s best chance to build a winner had to begin with trading the face of their franchise.
On July 28, 2015 the Rockies dealt the best shortstop in their history to the Toronto Blue Jays. Colorado accepted a package of three talented young arms headlined by Jeff Hoffman in the hopes that they could begin to build a better pitching staff. Although the team returned to the postseason in 2017-2018, the players acquired for Tulo had little to do with the team’s success. In the end, the financial resources regained by clearing the remaining five guaranteed seasons from Tulo’s contract were probably more important than the prospects.
Blue Jays Career
Although his offense never quite blossomed as Toronto hoped down the stretch, Tulo’s defensive play made him a welcomed upgrade at shortstop in 2015. The Jays finished the year with 93 wins to take the AL East.
On a star-studded roster, Tulo was more of a supporting player in October. In a drama-packed ALDS series, the Blue Jays defeated the Rangers in five games. The 2015 ALCS was probably the best postseason series of Tulo’s career up to that point. He posted .826 OPS, but the Blue Jays were defeated in six games by the Royals.
Tulo was above-average for the Jays again in 2016. Toronto finished 89-73, then defeated the Orioles in the Wild Card Game. Tulo hit .462/.462/.846 to help lead the offense as the Jays swept Texas in an ALDS rematch. The ALCS was a different story both for Tulo, and the Jays. Pitching dominated on both sides, but the Indians defeated Toronto in five games.
Injuries limited Tulo to just 66 games in 2017. He then missed the entire 2018 season while still working to get healthy. With two guaranteed seasons remaining, time will tell whether one of the great shortstops of this generation has anything left in the tank.
Legacy
In 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Troy Tulowitzki cemented his status as the greatest shortstop in franchise history. Tulo was a remarkable defensive player at a premium position, who at times, was also among the game’s best hitters. He is a five-time All Star who won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.
Tulo is the Rockies career leader in Defensive bWAR.
Up until the age of 31, Tulo had the look of a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Entering his age-34 season, there remains a two-part question:
How much baseball does Troy Tulowitzki’s body have left?
Has he done enough already to earn consideration for Cooperstown?
Only time will provide the answer to the first question. As for the second, the answer appears to be ‘probably not’. JAWS ranks him as the 26th best shortstop in history. While he would not be the least-accomplished shortstop to earn enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, there are also a few with better credentials who were not selected. He fares a little better when considering just his peak. Even then, he is probably below-average for Hall of Famers at the position.
Tulo’s candidacy appears to rest then on his ability to return to the field healthy for at least a few more seasons of above-average production. At this point, the probability of that is anybody’s guess.
Regardless of where he may end up among baseball’s all-time greats, Troy Tulowitzki will long be remembered as one of the best players the Rockies have ever had.
Troy Tulowitzki’s Greatest Moments with the Rockies from Major League Baseball
Nolan Arenado (33.1)
Background
Nolan Arenado was born and raised in Southern California. A graduate of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Arenado was selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2009 draft. Arenado was promoted a level at a time during a methodical climb through the Rockies system.
The early scouting reports on Arenado in the minor leagues portrayed a player who was likely to be a talented hitter with a good approach and above-average power. Questions persisted about his defensive skills and whether or not he would be able to be an adequate third baseman.
His offensive development in the minor leagues followed the early reports. He controlled the strike zone well and racked up doubles. By the time he was 22 years old, Arenado’s defense had improved dramatically. With that final piece of his development complete, Arenado was on on his way to the big leagues.
Rockies Career
Nolan Arenado made his big league debut at the end of April, 2013. In a surprising reversal from his early days as a pro, Arenado’s early value was mostly wrapped up in his glove work. A well below-average hitter in his first big league campaign, Arenado still produced 3.8 bWAR on the strength of his excellent defensive play. He won his first Gold Glove as a rookie.
Arenado’s power began to show up more consistently during 2014. He finished the year at 115 OPS+ and 4.1 bWAR despite playing just 111 games. He won his second Gold Glove.
Breakout
Arenado consolidated his skills in 2015. Now 24 years old, he was already regarded as perhaps the best defensive third baseman in baseball. 2015 brought the offensive breakout the Rockies had hoped for. Arenado produced 124 OPS+ and utilized the friendly environment of Coors Field to lead the NL in homers (42) and RBI (130). He won his third straight Gold Glove, and his first Silver Slugger. He was also an All Star for the first time and finished eighth in the MVP race.
2016 was a near carbon copy of the previous year. Arenado produced 129 OPS+. He led the league in homers (41) and RBI (133) for the second straight season. His 6.6 bWAR made him the second most productive player in the NL, although he finished fifth for MVP. For the second straight year he was an All Star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger.
Arenado was better still in 2017. He produced 130 OPS+, and his 7.2 bWAR established a new career-high. His 43 doubles were tops in the NL. For the third straight year he was an All Star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger. He finished fourth in the MVP voting.
The 2017 Rockies finished 87-75 to earn a spot in the National League Wild Card Game. Arenado hit a solo-homer and scored twice, but the Diamondbacks took the game 11-8.
2018
After a brief taste of postseason baseball in 2017, the Rockies were primed to take another step forward in 2018. Arenado had the best offensive season of his career, producing 133 OPS+ and winning his third NL homerun crown with 38. He made his fourth straight All Star team.
Arenado’s brilliance was complimented run for run by fellow Franchise Phenom Trevor Story at shortstop. The emergence of Kyle Freeland and German Marquez in the starting rotation gave the Rockies perhaps the best 1-2 punch in franchise history. The Rockies won 91 games, and finished tied for first place with the Dodgers in the NL West.
In Game 163, Arenado and Story hit back-to-back solo homers off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, but the Dodgers held on for a 5-2 win.
The Rockies then hopped on a plane and flew overnight to Chicago for the NL Wild Card Game against the Cubs. Colorado struck early with a sacrifice fly from Arenado in the top of the first inning. The Cubs tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. The Colorado bullpen was tough as nails, and the Rockies left Chicago a 2-1 winner in 13 innings to advance to the NLDS.
In their first NLDS appearance in nine seasons, the Rockies offense was stifled by the deep and versatile pitching staff of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Rockies scored just two runs in the three-game Brewers sweep.
Looking Ahead
As one of the few Mount RushWAR faces across the league who is still active with the team he represents, Nolan Arenado’s Rockies legacy is unfinished. Arenado will be just 28 years old in 2019. The Rockies have one year of guaranteed team-control remaining.
Reports from the immediate aftermath of their NLDS loss to the Brewers indicate that there have been no formal extension talks between the Rockies and the best third baseman in their history. As one of the most consistently excellent players in baseball over the past five seasons, Arenado’s market value is through the roof heading into what could be his final year in Colorado.
While he has already established himself as one of the greatest players in Rockies history, a lengthy contract extension could allow him to challenge for a higher spot on the mountain. It’s not hard to imagine him passing Tulo in career WAR with the Rockies in 2019. Passing Walker and Helton represent increasingly tougher challenges, but they are both theoretically in reach under the right circumstances.
With a contract extension and continued good health, it’s entirely possible that Nolan Arenado could one day climb to the top of the Rockie Mountain version of Mount RushWAR.
Nolan Arenado 2018 Highlights from Sports Productions on You Tube
The Mount RushWAR series will allow us to take a more in-depth look at the careers of the four players with the highest bWAR in franchise history.
Mike Schmidt (106.8)
Background
Mike Schmidt was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After graduating from Fairview High School, Schmidt attended Ohio University where he played shortstop.
He was drafted by the Phillies in the second round of the 1971 June Amateur Draft. Schmidt went straight to Double-A Reading after the draft where he was respectable, if not impressive.
He played the bulk of the 1972 season at Triple-A for the Eugene Emeralds. He was largely moved off of shortstop, instead splitting his time between second and third base. Offensively, he dominated the Pacific Coast League. Schmidt posted a .960 OPS and hit 26 homers. He earned his first taste of the big leagues with a September call up.
Phillies Career
Although he didn’t play until the team’s 11th game in 1973, Schmidt had played his last game in the minors. He quickly took over as the team’s regular third baseman, but struggled to adjust offensively. Schmidt finished his rookie year hitting just .196/.324/.373.
Breakout
At 24 years old in 1974, Mike Schmidt was heading for a breakout season. After averaging more than one strikeout per game as a rookie, Schmidt proved that the swing and miss in his game was not a fatal flaw.
Although he would lead the National League in strikeouts in each of the next three seasons, he more than compensated by leading the league in home runs each year as well.
A Golden Age
By 1976, the 26 year old Schmidt was universally recognized as one of the best players in baseball. He had been an All Star in 1974 while finishing 6th in the MVP race. After receiving down-ballot consideration again in 1975, it was easy to wonder what was next for the emerging young star.
With Schmidt leading an incredibly deep lineup, the Phillies were one of the most feared teams of the late 1970s. A solid starting rotation led by fellow Franchise Phenom Steve Carlton, and a deep bullpen, allowed the Phillies to win three straight National League East Championships from 1976-1978.
The Phillies were defeated in the NLCS each season. Despite setting a new franchise record with 101 wins in back-to-back seasons in 1976-1977, the Phillies failed to even reach the World Series. It seemed possible that the Phillies would waste this unprecedented run
When the Phillies slipped to fourth place in 1979, it seemed fair to wonder if they had missed their window for a World Series. The performances of several key players fell off considerably, but Schmidt remained excellent. He set a new career high with 45 homers, and led the league with 120 walks.
1980
The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies finished second in the NL in runs scored despite half of the regular players being below-average hitters. Mike Schmidt picked up the slack.
Schmidt led the league with career-highs in homers (48) and RBI (121). He also paced the circuit in slugging (.624) and OPS+ (171)– his second best marks in those categories. Schmidt made the All Star Team, and won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at third base. He was the unanimous National League MVP.
The Phillies won the NL East at 91-71. Though Schmidt struggled in the NLCS, his teammates carried him to victory over the Houston Astros in five games.
The 1980 World Series pit the Phillies against the Kansas City Royals, themselves winners of 97 games. On baseball’s grandest stage, Mike Schmidt came back to life.
Philadelphia took the opener at home. Schmidt played the hero in Game Two. His one-out double off Dan Quisenberry in the bottom of the 8th broke a 4-4 tie and put the Phillies up for good.
The Royals tied the series at two games each back home in Kansas City. Schmidt’s solo homer broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning of Game Five. It was his second of the series. The Phillies won 4-3 to retake the series lead.
Back home in Philadelphia for Game Six, Schmidt led the charge again. His RBI single in the bottom of the third put the Phillies ahead for good. After the game, Schmidt was named the World Series MVP. He hit .381/.462/.714 over the six games. His two homers, seven RBI, and six runs all paced the Phillies during the series.
In plain and simple terms, there is no way the Philadelphia Phillies win the 1980 World Series without Michael Jack Schmidt.
What do you do for an encore?
The Phillies returned the bulk of their 1980 championship squad in 1981. When the players went on strike on June 12, the Phillies were sitting atop the NL East at 34-21.
Mike Schmidt was still at the peak of his powers in 1981. He would finish the strike-shortened season as the NL leader in runs, homers, RBI, walks, OBP, slugging, and OPS+. Schmidt was one of the great casualties of the strike. He played 102 of Philadelphia’s 107 games and was on pace to challenge for career highs in just about every statistical category. Although it wasn’t unanimous this time, Schmidt was named NL MVP for the second straight season.
Play did not resume until August 10. For playoff purposes, the league announced that the season would be divided into two halves. The division leaders for each half of the season would play each other in an additional playoff round. The Phillies went 25-27 in the second half, finishing third in the east behind the Montreal Expos. The Division Series went the full five games, but the Expos defeated the Phillies, ending their championship defense.
In 1982, the Phillies missed the postseason for what would be just the second time in eight seasons. Schmidt led the NL in OPS+ for the third straight season at 161. He was also tops in walks (107), OBP (.403), and slugging (.547).
1983
The 1983 season was yet another vintage Mike Schmidt campaign. Now 33 years old, Schmidt once again put the Philadelphia offense on his back. He led the NL in OPS+ for the fourth straight season at 156. His career-high 128 walks fueled a .399 OBP– both marks were tops in the NL. His 40 homers also led the league.
The Phillies won 90 games, and the NL East, in 1983. Schmidt terrorized the Dodgers in the NLCS. He finished the series with a .467/.529/.800 line as the Phillies won in four games.
The World Series matched Philadelphia with a 98-win Baltimore Orioles team. The Baltimore pitching staff proved too much for the Phillies to handle. Schmidt struggled, and with his fortunes went those of the Phillies. Baltimore took the series in five games, winning three of them by just one run.
Final Stage
It would be a decade before the Phillies would return to the playoffs. In the final six seasons of Schmidt’s career, the Phillies had a winning record just once more, a second-place finish in 1986.
For his part, Schmidt remained excellent for much of that stretch. From 1984-1988, Schmidt posted a .279/.377/.520 line, good for 144 OPS+. He made the All Star team three more times in his mid-30s, and was the NL MVP for the third and final time in 1986.
Despite a sub-par start by his standards, Schmidt was selected to the All-Star team for the 12th and final time in 1989. Unfortunately, May 28 would be his last game of any kind.
Legacy
For a franchise whose overall track record has been pretty poor, Mike Schmidt was the driving force behind some of the best teams in Phillies history. Philadelphia made seven playoff appearances during Schmidt’s career. They also played in three World Series, including the first championship in franchise history.
Mike Schmidt is easily the best player in Phillies history. He is the franchise leader in games played (2404), runs (1506), total bases (4404), homers (548), RBI (1595), walks (1507), and times on base (3820).
Schmidt was, by any measure, one of the greatest players of his era. He led the NL in bWAR for position players four times. He paced the senior circuit in homers eight times, OPS+ six times, slugging five times, RBI and walks four times each, OBP three times, and runs once.
Schmidt received MVP votes in 12 different seasons. He finished in the top-three five times, and won the award in 1980, 1981, and 1986. He ranks 11th all-time in career MVP Shares. He was a 12-time All Star who won 10 Gold Gloves, and six Silver Sluggers.
At 25th all-time in bWAR, Schmidt is arguably the greatest third baseman in history. No player who played a majority of his games at the hot corner has more career WAR than Schmidt. His truly unique combination of power, patience, and elite defensive play at third base has no true parallel in the annals of our great game.
Mike Schmidt Highlights. Jack Rackham on YouTube
Robin Roberts (71.8)
Background
Robin Roberts was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. After graduating from Lanphier High School, Roberts enrolled in Michigan State University. Initially a basketball player for the Spartans, Roberts walked on to the baseball team as a pitcher in 1946. By the end of 1947, Roberts had signed a contract with the Phillies.
Roberts began his professional career by going 9-1 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the Class-B Interstate League. From Delaware, he was summoned to the big club in June, 1948.
Phillies Career
Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, the 21-year-old Roberts was immediately inserted into the starting rotation. Over his first two seasons, he established himself as an effective pitcher, posting a 112 ERA+ in 373.1 innings.
Breakout
1950 was a big year in Phillies history, and Roberts was at the center of it. At age 23, Roberts took a step forward into the upper-echelon of National League pitchers. Roberts was second in the NL with 304.1 innings, second with 20 wins, and fifth in ERA+ at 133. His 7.4 bWAR was tops among NL hurlers.
With Roberts leading the way, the Phillies won the National League pennant with a 91-63 record. 1950 was just the second World Series appearance in Phillies history. In the series, the Phillies ran into a juggernaut in the New York Yankees. Roberts allowed just two runs in 11 innings during the series, but the Phillies offense only mustered five runs total. New York won three one-run games, and swept Philadelphia. It would be 30 years before the Phillies would return to the fall classic.
Peak Roberts
From 1950-1956, Roberts was regarded as one of the best pitchers in the National League. He averaged 319 innings per season at 125 ERA+ during this stretch to accumulate a 157-96 record. He was an All Star during each of the seven seasons. He received MVP votes each year as well, peaking at second place during his 28-win campaign in 1952.
Roberts was the definition of durable during his prime. His excellent control allowed him to pile up effective innings year after year. He led the league in games started six times, innings and complete games five times each, and wins four times. He also had the lowest walk rate, and highest strikeout/walk ratio, in the NL four times. Roberts paced the NL in strikeouts and FIP twice each, and had the lowest WHIP in the league once as well.
For all of his personal excellence, Roberts was unable to lead a Philadelphia return to the postseason after 1950. The club would finish no better than third for the remainder of his tenure.
Decline
Although Roberts made the National League All Star team for the seventh straight time in 1956, his decline had already begun. That season was his worst up to that point in his career, and marked the beginning of a decline from excellence to mediocrity.
In his final six seasons in Philadelphia (1956-1961) Roberts saw his yearly averages drop sharply from his peak. While he maintained his excellent control, he proved to be increasingly hittable. He averaged 238 innings at 94 ERA+ for some of the worst Phillies teams in history. Following a terrible 1961 campaign for Roberts, and the club, it was time for a change.
Post-Phillies Career
After the 1961 season, the Phillies sold Roberts to the Yankees. He was released by the Yankees in May without making an appearance for the club.
Baltimore signed him shortly after his departure from New York. In parts of four seasons with the Orioles, Roberts reestablished himself as an above average pitcher. He worked 761.1 innings at 115 ERA+ for Baltimore before they released him July, 1965.
The Astros brought him on board shortly thereafter. Roberts was excellent down the stretch for Houston in 1965. 1966 was a different story. Roberts was adequate, but below-average for Houston through early July. He was again released, this time hooking up with the Cubs to finish out the season, and his career with 48.1 final innings.
Legacy
While he isn’t the most famous pitcher in Phillies history, Robin Roberts produced more value over the course of his career than any other. What he lacked in dominance he made up for with control, reliability, and durability.
Roberts remains the franchise’s all-time leader in games pitched (529), innings (3739.1), and complete games (272). He was a seven-time All Star.
Roberts was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Although he lacks the big strikeout numbers, or win totals of some of his fellow Hall of Famers, his career resume speaks for itself. Ultimately, he has a case to be included among the top 25-30 pitchers in big league history.
Robin Roberts biography from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Steve Carlton (69.6)
Background
Steve Carlton was born and raised in Miami, Florida. After graduating from North High School in Miami, Carlton stayed in town and attended Miami-Dade College. In October, 1963 while still enrolled in college, Carlton signed as an amateur free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Still just 19 years old, Carlton spent the 1964 season climbing the ladder in the Cardinals farm system. In a season split between three levels of the minor leagues, Carlton demonstrated his overwhelming stuff as he struck out 191 hitters in 178 innings. Although his control was still a work in progress (he had 102 walks), it was clear that he had big league stuff.
Cardinals Career
Carlton broke camp with the big club in 1965. He was effective, but used sparingly. The following season he opened up back at Triple-A Tulsa before returning to St. Louis in late July. He made the starting rotation for good in 1967, at the age of 22.
In seven seasons with the Cardinals from 1965-1971, Carlton proved to be one of the most tantalizingly talented left-handers in the game. Though he was a three-time All Star in St. Louis, the best was yet to come.
While demanding a pay raise in early 1972, Carlton held out. The Cardinals ownership, frustrated with their inability to make progress with the talented 27-year-old, traded him to Philadelphia.
In the type of deal you almost never see in the modern game, Carlton was dealt for 26-year-old right-hander Rick Wise, himself coming off an All Star campaign with the Phillies. Wise was an above-average starter for two seasons with the Cardinals– even making the All Star Team in 1973– but it was the Phillies who altered the direction of their franchise with this move.
Phillies Career
Carlton began his career in Philadelphia furious over having been traded. The motivation to prove his worth to the baseball world served to help elevate his game to a new level. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Carlton immediately became the best pitcher in the league. Lefty won the pitching triple crown, leading the league in wins (27), ERA (1.97), and strikeouts (310). He also paced the circuit in innings (346.1) and complete games (30). Although the team limped to a sixth place finish, Carlton flourished. He was unanimously selected as the NL Cy Young winner and finished 5th in the MVP voting after the season.
From 1973-1976, Carlton remained a workhorse for the Phillies. He averaged 273 innings, 16 complete games, 16 wins, and 212 strikeouts per season during that stretch. At the same time, he was never quite as dominant as he had been in 1972. Although he won 20 games and finished fourth in the Cy Young in 1976, his ERA+ was just 113. His total ERA+ over these four years was just 108.
As a team, the Phillies were on the upswing. They finished second in the NL East in 1975 on the strength of an emerging core of talented hitters led by Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski. In 1976, the Phillies won 101 games, but were swept by the Reds in the NLCS.
Rebirth
In 1977, the 32-year-old Carlton was reborn. He led the NL with 23 wins, and finished third in ERA+ at 153. The Phillies won 101 games for the second straight season. As the ace of their staff, Carlton cruised to his second career Cy Young. He also finished 5th in the MVP voting. Unfortunately, his command abandoned him in two starts in the NLCS, and the Dodgers took the series in four games.
Lefty was excellent again in 1978, working 247.1 innings at a 126 ERA+. The Phillies won the NL East for the third straight year. Facing the Dodgers again, Carlton was better this time around. His complete game effort in Game Three was the only Phillies win in the series.
At age 34, Carlton had a bit of a down year in 1979. He worked 251 innings at 106 ERA+, still managing to win 18 games and make the All Star team. The Phillies finished fourth.
1980
In 1980, it seemed fair to wonder if the world had already seen Carlton’s best. Instead, the 35-year-old turned in one of the best seasons of his career. He led the NL in wins (24), innings (304), strikeouts (286), and ERA+ (162). The Phillies won 91 games, and returned to the playoffs. Carlton received all but one first place vote to win his third Cy Young.
Up to this point in his career, Steve Carlton had been a mixed bag in the postseason. Whether early in his career in St. Louis, or more recently with the Phillies, Carlton had often failed to live up to his reputation as one of the game’s best hurlers. All that was about to change in October, 1980.
In the NLCS, the Phillies were matched up with the Houston Astros. Carlton got the ball in the opener. He allowed just one run in seven innings to give the Phillies an early series lead. The Astros won the next two games, setting Carlton up for Game Four. He battled through 5.1 innings, allowing just two runs before turning the game over to the bullpen who eventually secured the win in 10 innings. The Phillies took Game Five, once again in 10 innings to secure their first National League pennant since Robin Roberts led the staff in 1950.
The 1980 World Series would pit the Phillies against a 97-win Kansas City Royals club. The Phillies won the opener, 7-6 at home, setting up Lefty for Game Two. Carlton fought his control all night, but battled through eight innings, allowing just three earned runs and striking out 10 to earn the win.
Back in Kansas City, the Royals took the next two games to even the series. In Game Five, the Phillies offense rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth off of AL saves leader Dan Quisenberry to retake the lead in the series. The table was set for Carlton back home in Philly.
In the biggest game of his career, Steve Carlton delivered. He went seven innings, scattered seven base runners, struck out seven, and allowed just one run before handing the ball over to fellow Franchise Phenom, Tug McGraw for the save. Steve Carlton had led the Phillies to their first World Championship in franchise history.
Age Is Just A Number
Although it seemed Carlton had slowed down in his early-thirties, 1980 proved he had something left in the tank. 1981-1982 proved he had plenty.
In 1981, the Phillies championship defense was caught up in the drama of that year’s players strike. In a seasoned shortened by the labor stoppage, Carlton proved he was still dominant. He led the NL with 8.5 K/9 and posted 151 ERA+ in 190 innings. For all his dominance during the regular season, he was less effective in the playoffs. Carlton suffered two losses in the NLDS as the Phillies lost to the Expos in five games. Carlton was again an All Star, finished third in the Cy Young voting, ninth in the MVP race, and won his only career Gold Glove.
1982 would serve as icing on the cake of a Hall of Fame career. At age 37, Carlton had one more Cy Young run in him. He led the league in wins (23), innings (295.2), complete games (19), and strikeouts (286). The Phillies finished second in the NL East.
Although he was nearly as good in 1983 as he had been the year before, Carlton received less recognition. Teammate John Denny exploded for a Cy Young of his own in a career year. With Denny and Carlton fronting the rotation, the Phillies won the NL East at 90-72. The veteran lefty shredded the Dodgers in the NLCS, allowing just one run in 13.2 innings to help propel the Phillies to another World Series. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia bats went quiet, and Baltimore took the series in five games.
Decline Phase
By the time he finished his age 38 season, Lefty had 4558.2 big league innings under his belt. Father time finally caught up with Carlton beginning in 1984. Although he had two more above-average seasons left in him, durability was a concern where it never had been before. Carlton averaged just 160 innings in 1984-1985.
When Carlton started 1986 with a 6.18 ERA in 16 starts, it was clear that his best days were well behind him. The Phillies released the most dominant pitcher in their history on June 24.
Carlton spent the remainder of 1986-1988 bouncing between the Giants, White Sox, Indians, and Twins. After four rough outings with the Twins in 1988, Carlton was done for good at 43 years old.
Legacy
Over his incredible 24 seasons in the big leagues, Steve Carlton cemented his place among baseball’s all-time greats. His combination of elite durability, dominance, and longevity puts him in special company.
Carlton should probably be considered one of the 15-20 greatest pitchers in big league history. Among his fellow southpaws, Lefty is probably in the top-five.
Carlton finished his career as a 10-time All Star with seven of those selections coming as a member of the Phillies. With four Cy Youngs, he is tied for third most in history. He ranks fifth all-time in Cy Young shares.
He ranks among baseball’s career top-10 in strikeouts (4th), games started (6th), and innings (9th).
Carlton still holds the Phillies franchise records for wins (241), strikeouts (3031), and games started (499). His 329 wins are 11th most in baseball history.
Steve Carlton Strikeout Montage. scottyballgame1 on YouTube
Chase Utley (61.8)
Background
Chase Utley was born and raised in Southern California. Utley was selected by his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1997 amateur draft out of Polytechnic High School in Long Beach. Rather than sign with the Dodgers, he enrolled at UCLA. Following his junior season for the Bruins, Utley was selected 15th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2000 draft.
Utley quickly rose through the Philadelphia farm system. By 2002, the 23-year-old infielder was in Triple-A, clearly among the best prospects in the minors.
Time Lost
The Phillies sent Utley back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin 2003 in what would prove to be a foolish maneuver. He dominated the International League during his second stint in Triple-A while the Phillies received brutal production from a pair of veteran third basemen. Utley held his own in a 43-game trial, most of which was in August and September. The Phillies won 86 games, and finished five out of the postseason.
Inexplicably, the Phillies jerked him around again at the start of the 2004 season. Utley spent April back in Triple-A before finally earning a permanent place with the big club. David Bell was better at third than he had been the year before, and Placido Polanco was steady at second. Utley managed just 287 plate appearances in the big leagues in his age 25 season. The Phillies again won 86 games, this time finishing six out of the playoffs.
In light of the career that Utley went on to have, it is fair to wonder how much different Phillies history may have been if they had committed to him sooner. For a team in playoff contention for most of 2003-2004, an earlier emergence for one of the greatest players in franchise history could have swung the balance in their favor. Unfortunately, we will never know.
Phillies Career
The Phillies finally committed to Utley more completely in 2005. Polanco was dealt to Detroit in June, and second base in Philadelphia belonged to Chase Utley. In 147 games, he hit .291/.376/.540, good for 132 OPS+. He received some down ballot MVP votes at the conclusion of the year. The team’s inexcusable decision to stick with David Bell through his second miserable season in three years probably cost them the playoffs. With 88 wins, they finished one game out of the Wild Card, and two games out of the Division lead.
2006 would be the sixth straight 80+ win season, none of which resulted in a playoff appearance. Utley made his first All Star team and led the league with 131 runs. He also won his first Silver Slugger, and finished seventh in the MVP voting. With 85 wins, the Phillies were three games out of the Wild Card.
Getting Over The Hump
Following an extended run of respectable mediocrity, better days were ahead for the Phillies starting in 2007. Chase Utley would be right at the center of things.
From 2007-2011, the Phillies won five straight division championships. Utley hit .290/.386/.583, 132 OPS+, and averaged 6.9 bWAR during that stretch. On teams littered with some of the greatest players in franchise history, Chase Utley was arguably the best of them all.
2008
The 2007 Phillies won the NL East, but were swept in the NLDS by the Rockies. With the roster largely intact, Philadelphia repeated as division champs in 2008. Franchise Phenoms Cole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins were excellent. Ryan Howard was still among the game’s most feared sluggers, and Brad Lidge was arguably the best reliever in baseball.
On a team loaded with talent, Chase Utley was clearly the best player on the roster. 2008 was Utley’s career year as his usual stellar offense was accompanied by perhaps the best defensive season of his career. He finished with a career best 9.0 bWAR.
2008 Playoffs
In the NLDS the Phillies were matched up with Wild Card team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Although Utley was the least productive regular in the Phillies lineup, his teammates carried him. Philadelphia won the series in four games and rolled into the NLCS.
In the NLCS, the Phillies had home field advantage over the NL West Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. With their ace, Cole Hamels, rested and at the height of his powers, Philadelphia was at a decided advantage.
After a rough NLDS, Utley was excellent against the Dodgers. Hamels controlled Game One, holding L.A. to two runs in seven innings. It was Utley’s two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game. Left fielder Pat Burrell followed suit two batters later to put the Phillies on top for good.
Utley walked four times in five trips to the plate in Game Two. His teammates slugged out an 8-5 win to take commanding position in the series.
Out west, the Dodgers took Game Three. The Phillies answered back in Game Four. Utley had three hits and an RBI in the win. In Game Five, Utley was 0-4 but walked twice and scored. Hamels allowed one run over seven innings, and the Phillies clinched their first World Series trip since 1980. Utley hit .353/.522/.647 in the series to lead the offense.
2008 World Series
Coming off an incredible Game Seven victory over the Red Sox in the ALCS, the Tampa Bay Rays were riding hot. Themselves winners of 97 games in the regular season, the Rays were loaded with some of their own franchise greats.
Hamels was rested enough to start Game One. Utley delivered the first blow with a two-run homer off Scott Kazmir in the top of the first. Hamels allowed two runs in seven innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Philadelphia took the opener 3-2.
James Shields held the Phillies at bay in Game Two. Tampa won 4-2 to even the series.
Utley delivered again in Game Three. This time it was a solo homer off Matt Garza to lead off the bottom of the sixth to extend the Phillies lead to 3-1. They held on to win 5-4.
The Philadelphia offense exploded in Game Four behind Joe Blanton. Ryan Howard homered twice, and drove in five runs. Utley walked twice and scored a pair of runs. The Phillies won 10-2 to take a 3-1 series lead.
Game Five featured Hamels against Kazmir again. Hamels cemented his place as the World Series MVP allowing just two runs over six innings. In a game that was ultimately decided by the bullpens, Philadelphia won 4-3 to secure their second championship in franchise history. Utley hit just .167 in the series, but homered twice, walked five times, ultimately leading the Phillies with five runs scored.
Repeat?
The 2009 Phillies returned the core of their championship team. The additions of veterans Raul Ibanez and Cliff Lee as well as the emergence of J.A. Happ helped infuse the team with new blood as well. With 93 wins, the Phillies took their third straight NL East title.
For the fourth straight season, Chase Utley was an All Star and received MVP votes. His 8.2 bWAR was only slightly lower than his 2008 career year. His consistently excellent play was once again a driving force in the team’s success.
In a series that featured three one-run games, the Phillies defeated the Rockies in four games in the NLDS. Utley hit .429/.556/.643 to help lead the way.
For the second straight season, the Phillies met the Dodgers in the NLCS. Utley struggled, but still managed to reach base eight times in five games. The offense and starting rotation carried a suspect bullpen in blowout wins in the third and fifth games. The Phillies took the series in five to win their second straight National League pennant.
In the World Series, the Phillies were matched up with the New York Yankees. Utley was otherworldly. In six games, he hit .286/.400/1.048. His five homers, seven runs, and eight RBI were tops for the series. Unfortunately, the pitching staff was less impressive. The Yankees took the series in six to dethrone the defending champs.
Super Teams (2010-2011)
With their remarkable core of position players still under team control, and nearing the end of their respective primes, the clock was ticking after 2009. To their great credit, Phillies management went all in. In December 2009, they traded for another ace in Roy Halladay.
When the 2010 team made a late push to close the gap in the division to 3.5 games in late July, the front office acted again. They shipped three talented young players, including Happ, to the Astros for veteran ace Roy Oswalt.
With three of the best pitchers in baseball on their staff, the Phillies finally overtook the Braves in September. They finished the season with 97 wins and their fourth straight NL East title.
2010 Playoffs
Utley was yet again at the heart of things when the Phillies swept the Reds in the NLDS. His three runs, and four RBI led the way. When Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter in Game One, it seemed the Phillies might be the favorites heading deeper into October.
Unfortunately, the Phillies ran into another loaded pitching staff in the NLCS. The San Francisco Giants matched the Phillies pitch for pitch. After three one-run victories, the Giants sent the Phillies home in six games.
2011
With the core of their offense returning, and one of the most talented starting rotations in modern history, the 2011 Phillies were a juggernaut. At 3.8 bWAR, Utley ranked just fifth on the team behind the trio of aces Lee, Halladay, and Hamels as well as center fielder Shane Victorino. Their 102-60 record is the best in franchise history.
When the most talented team in franchise history lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games in the NLDS, it was a crushing blow. A veteran team with dominant starting pitching, and a core of position players who had won rings just a few years before, the Phillies were widely considered the favorites in 2011. For his part, Utley was excellent leading the Phillies offense with a .438/.571/.688 line in the series.
It Ended Without Us Knowing
With the bulk of the team returning yet again in 2012, it seemed the Phillies were as good a bet as anyone to head back to the postseason. Then the season began, and it quickly became apparent that 2012 was a new year. By June 12, the Phillies were 9.5 games out. They never led the division after opening day.
Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz were still solid on offense. Hamels and Lee were still among the games best starters. Unfortunately, everyone else struggled. The remaining core group of veterans looked significantly older. The optimism that persisted even after their disappointing loss in 2011 was quickly gone as the team had to confront the prospect of an expensive core of veterans aging in a less than graceful fashion.
Utley remained one of the top second basemen in the game in 2013-2014. Most efforts to patch the roster failed, however. The core of some of the greatest teams in Phillies history was depleted beyond repair.
In 2015, father time finally caught up to Utley as well. After 73 rough games, the Phillies traded one of the greatest players in their history to the eventual NL West champion Dodgers in an under the radar August deal.
After Philadelphia
After moving to the Dodgers, Utley instantly went from being the face of a franchise to just another player. He was acquired not to save the team, but to support it.
From 2015-2018, Utley served as a semi-regular player, platoon option, and veteran leader in Los Angeles. On a wonderfully deep and versatile roster, Utley was just one of the boys. Still, he contributed to three straight division champions. He even returned to the World Series in 2017 when the Dodgers were defeated by the Houston Astros.
Utley announced his intention to retire after the 2018 season before it concluded.
Legacy
I suspect that many modern baseball fans have severely underappreciated Chase Utley. There are probably a variety of factors at play here.
His particular contributions were diverse and wide-ranging. Chase Utley was good at just about everything on a baseball field. At the same time, he was not elite at most of those things outside of the occasional peak season in one skill or another. Because he was above-average or better at just about everything, he was always great even when it wasn’t totally obvious.
Beyond his sneaky greatness, or perhaps because of it, Utley was often not identified as the best player on his own team. Howard and Rollins each won NL MVP awards in seasons when Chase Utley was actually the best player on the Phillies.
Finally, his delayed ascension to big league stardom is probably still a factor even after a stellar 16-year career. Utley didn’t debut until he was 24. He wasn’t an everyday player until he was 26. Most all-time great players simply get started younger. That lost time cost him some important counting stats in the end.
Chase Utley was a six-time All Star and won four Silver Sluggers. He received MVP votes four times, but never finished higher than seventh. Viewing him in the context of his place among the all-time Phillies greats might be the most favorable light in which to appreciate his excellent career.
Chase Utley’s career highlights from Major League Baseball
The Mount RushWAR series will allow us to take a more in-depth look at the careers of the four players with the highest bWAR in franchise history.
Luke Appling (74.4)
Background
Luke Appling grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Fulton High School and Oglethorpe University in Atlanta before embarking on his professional career. He was acquired by the White Sox in August, 1930 when the team purchased his contract from the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association. He made his big league debut shortly after signing, and emerged as a semi-regular player the following season.
White Sox Career
Despite below-average offensive production in his first two full seasons, the White Sox continued to invest playing time in Appling.
Peak
In 1933, at age 26, Appling hit his stride as a big leaguer hitting .322/.379/.443. His 5.1 bWAR ranked ninth in the American League that season.
1933 began a stretch of 11 seasons where Appling averaged .320/.408/.410, 115 OPS+, and 4.9 bWAR. He was a five-time All Star during his prime years. He finished second in the MVP voting twice during this stretch.
In 1936, Appling was runner-up to Lou Gehrig. He hit .388 to win his first batting title, and finished fifth in the American League with 6.9 bWAR.
In 1943, Appling finished behind Spud Chandler. He hit .328 to win his second batting title. He also led the league in OBP at .419. His 7.6 bWAR was second in the league trailing only Lou Bodreau.
When Appling missed 1944 while serving in the Army during the late stages of World War II, it seemed his career might be over. He missed most of 1945 as well. He was discharged with enough time remaining to return to Chicago for 18 games.
As it turned out, Appling had four seasons of star-caliber play remaining. From 1946-49, Appling put an authoritative stamp on his Hall of Fame career. In his age 39-42 seasons, Appling averaged .308/.408/.384, 120 OPS+, and 4.8 bWAR. He made the All Star team two more times during this period, and received down ballot MVP consideration each year.
Appling was released by the White Sox at the conclusion of a 1950 season after just 144 plate appearances that year.
Legacy
Despite his status as one of the all-time great White Sox players, the teams that Appling played for were decidedly mediocre. Appling played on just five winning teams in 20 seasons. He never played in the postseason.
Appling remains the White Sox all-time leader in games played (2422), hits (2749), singles (2162), and times on base (4062).
Appling is among the most accomplished, and durable shortstops in big league history. He ranks among the top-10 shortstops in Major League history in games played (8th), putouts (7th), and assists (6th).
Luke Appling biography from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Ted Lyons (71.5)
Background
Ted Lyons grew up in Louisiana. He attended Vinton High School before heading to Baylor University. Lyons was an excellent athlete who lettered in basketball and track at Baylor in addition to baseball. He signed with the White Sox in the spring of 1923 as he was finishing up school. He reported directly to the big club, and appeared in nine games that season.
White Sox Career
At 23 years old, Lyons made the team again out of spring training in 1924 and never looked back. He pitched 216.1 below-average innings in his first full season.
Lyons established himself as a legitimate star in 1925. He pitched 262.2 innings and led the league with 21 wins and five shutouts. His 5.4 bWAR was sixth among AL pitchers.
Lyons remained remarkably effective throughout the remainder of his career. In the 19 seasons he played from 1925-46, Lyons posted an ERA+ below league-average just twice (1933-34).
Peak
Lyons hit his peak in 1927. The 26-year-old right-hander led the league with 307.2 innings, 30 complete games, and 22 wins. His 143 ERA+ mark was only the fifth best season of his career by that measure, but he failed to clear 191 innings in the other four. The combination of excellent performance and a high volume of innings helped him produce a career-best 7.4 bWAR, fourth best in the AL that year. He finished third in the 1927 MVP race behind Lou Gehrig and Harry Heilmann.
In 1930, Lyons again led the league in innings (297.2) and complete games (29).
He made his only All Star team in 1939. At the age of 38, Lyons led the league in FIP (3.22), WHIP (1.09), and K/BB (2.50) while posting a career-best 173 ERA+.
He continued his “decline” phase by leading the league in ERA (2.10) and ERA+ (171) over 180.1 innings in 1942.
Duty Calls
Lyons joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and spent his age 42-44 seasons pitching for Uncle Sam.
He made five final appearances in early 1946 before being hired to replace Jimmy Dykes as manager of the White Sox. He managed through 1948, finishing with a career record of 185-245.
Legacy
Like Appling, Ted Lyons played through arguably the bleakest era in White Sox history. He played on just six winning teams in 21 seasons, and never played in the postseason.
Although he ranks second in career bWAR for the White Sox behind Appling, he is actually second in pitching bWAR to Red Faber who edged Lyons for inclusion in the team’s starting rotation. In an interesting twist, Lyons was a significantly better hitter than Faber during their careers, helping him to secure his spot on Chicago’s Mount RushWAR.
Lyons remains Chicago’s franchise leader in wins (260), innings pitched (4161), games started (484), and complete games (356)
Lyons was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955. Known more for his control (he had the lowest walk rate in the AL four times during his career) and durability than his power stuff, Lyons is something of an odd Hall of Famer to be sure. Although he had excellent command of the strike zone, Lyons actually walked more batters (1121) than he struck out (1073) in his career. Despite that imbalance, he finished with a career 118 ERA+.
With the modern game increasingly dominated by power pitchers and power hitters, Ted Lyons serves as a reminder of how much the game has evolved in the past century.
Ted Lyons. Behind the Plaques from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Frank Thomas (68.3)
Background
Frank Thomas played his high school ball in Columbus, Georgia. He attended Auburn University where he played baseball for three seasons, and football for one. After going undrafted out of high school, Thomas was selected seventh overall by the White Sox in the 1989 draft.
White Sox Career
Thomas more than held his own in the Florida State League after signing in 1989. He then shredded the Double A Southern League for 109 games in 1990 before making his Major League debut in August. He immediately proved himself as an impact player, posting a 177 OPS+ in 60 games during his rookie year.
By his age 23 season, Frank Thomas was already the best hitter in the American League. In 1991, he paced the AL in walks, OBP, and OPS+. He finished third in the MVP voting behind Cal Ripken Jr. and Cecil Fielder, despite producing 4.2 more bWAR than the latter.
Over the course of the next decade, “The Big Hurt” would stake a claim to the title of best hitter in baseball.
From 1991-2000, Thomas averaged a line of .320/.439/.581, 168 OPS+, and 5.1 bWAR per season. He led the AL in walks and OBP four times, and OPS+ three times. He also led the league in runs, slugging, and doubles once each during that stretch.
In 1993, Thomas won the first of his back-to-back MVP’s. He hit .317/.426/.607 with 41 homers, 128 RBI, and 106 runs. He was the best player on one of the best teams in White Sox history. The Sox won the AL West with a 94-68 record. They were defeated in six games in the ALCS by the eventual world champion Toronto Blue Jays. Thomas was a monster in the series, hitting .353/.593/.529.
The 1994 Chicago White Sox were on track to deliver on the promise of the team’s near miss the season before. When the Players Association went on strike on August 12, the White Sox were leading the AL Central with a 67-46 record. In what would prove to be his career year, Thomas ran away with his second straight MVP after hitting .353/.487/.729, 212 OPS+, and 6.4 bWAR.
Much has been made of the impact of the 1994 strike on the fortunes of the Montreal Expos franchise. There is a case to be made that the White Sox franchise was impacted in a similar fashion. Both teams were legitimate World Series contenders with star caliber players whose fans were robbed of the opportunity to watch them compete in October.
Thomas continued to dominate the American League through the late 1990s, but the White Sox would not make the playoffs again until 2000.
The 2000 White Sox won the AL Central with a league-best 95-67 record. The Big Hurt was once again a driving force behind the team’s success. He hit .328/.436/.625, 163 OPS+, and produced 6.0 bWAR. As the best player on the best team in the league, Thomas finished second in the MVP voting behind Jason Giambi. In a stunning turn of events, the Sox were swept by the Seattle Mariners, winner of the AL Wilcard, in the ALDS.
Decline
As he entered his mid-30s, Thomas would have an increasingly difficult time keeping his massive body healthy. In his final five seasons with the White Sox, Thomas remained incredibly productive if increasingly unavailable.
From 2001-2005, Thomas averaged just 86 games per season. Despite an assortment of aches, and serious injuries, Big Frank still managed to produce a 135 OPS+ when he was in the lineup.
2005 would prove a bittersweet ending to his tenure on the South Side. Thomas limped through 124 productive plate appearances before playing his last game in late-July and succumbing to season-ending surgery. The White Sox went on to capture their first World Series since 1917 without the greatest hitter in franchise history. Thomas was visible with the team in October, and as thrilled as anybody when the team clinched in Houston.
After the White Sox
With his health in question, the White Sox allowed Thomas to depart via free agency after the 2005 season. He landed in Oakland where he finished fourth in the MVP voting in 2006. Thomas dominated as the AL West Champion Athletics swept Minnesota in the ALDS. He struggled badly in the ALCS when A’s were swept by Detroit to end their season.
He was productive again in 2007, this time for the Blue Jays. He was released by Toronto early in the 2008 season before hooking up with Oakland again for the final 55 games of his Hall of Fame career.
Legacy
In 16 seasons with the White Sox, the Big Hurt was a five-time All Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and two-time American League MVP. He is, without question, the greatest hitter in franchise history.
Thomas is the White Sox all-time leader in home runs (448), RBI (1465), OBP (.427), slugging (.568), runs (1327), doubles (447), walks (1466), OPS+ (161), and offensive bWAR (75.0).
His 1667 career walks are 10th most in Major League history. He also ranks among the top-20 in slugging (19th), home runs (20th), OBP (20th), and OPS+ (20th).
Frank Thomas Career Highlights. Sports Productions on YouTube
Eddie Collins (66.7)
Background
Eddie Collins grew up in New York. He graduated from Irving High School in Tarrytown on the east bank of the Hudson River. Collins attended Columbia before signing to play for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1906. When he made his debut later that season, Collins became an exceedingly rare player in the annals of big league baseball: a teenager who was also an Ivy Leaguer.
Athletics Career
Collins appeared in the big leagues again in 1907, but spent most of his age-20 season in the minors. By 1908, he was a semi-regular player, and above-average hitter for Philadelphia. By 1909, he was a star.
From 1909-1914, Collins anchored the Athletics lineup. He averaged .345/.432/.447, 163 OPS+, and an incredible 8.9 bWAR per season. As a member of Connie Mack’s vaunted $100,00 infield, Collins was the best player on three World Series Championship teams in 1910, 1911, and 1913.
Collins finished sixth, or better, in the MVP voting three straight seasons before finally winning the award in 1914. After the A’s were swept by the Boston Braves in the 1914 World Series, Connie Mack and the Athletics agreed to sell Collins to Charles Comiskey’s White Sox for $50,000. It was the first time in history that a reigning MVP was traded in the off-season.
White Sox Career
With Chicago, Collins picked up right where he left off. 1915 was his third straight season of 9+ bWAR. He hit .332/.460/.436, 165 OPS+ and led the league in walks (119). Collins was the biggest piece in a lineup overhaul that helped the Sox win 93 games, a 23 game improvement from the previous year.
Collins was excellent again in 1916, posting 7.1 bWAR. The Sox won 89 games and finished just two back of the Red Sox in the AL.
World Champions
The White Sox hit their collective stride in 1917. Collins, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and Happy Felsch all finished among the top-10 hitters in the AL by bWAR. Eddie Cicotte was the best pitcher in the American League. The team won the AL by nine games with a 100-54 record. Their .649 winning percentage, and 100 wins are still the best marks in franchise history.
In the World Series, the Sox were met by another 100-win club, John McGraw’s New York Giants.
Collins was excellent in the series, leading the Chicago offense with a .409/.458/.455 line in the six games. His go-ahead single in the bottom of the 8th inning of Game 5 was among the most pivotal plays of the entire series.
The Sox won the 1917 World Series in six games behind the excellent pitching of Cicotte, and emerging Franchise Phenom, Red Faber who earned three of the four Chicago wins.
After the Series
With the core of the team returning, it seemed the White Sox were poised for another big year in 1918. Instead, the team struggled. Cicotte and catcher Ray Schalk took major steps backwards after excellent 1917 seasons. Jackson, as well as pitchers Faber and Lefty Williams missed huge chunks of the season after enlisting in the armed forces for the home stretch in World War I. Collins himself joined the Marines and missed the final few weeks of the season. The defending champions finished just 57-67.
1919
1919 would prove to be very different. Collins, Jackson, and Williams returned from the service and posted big seasons. Cicotte returned to form. The White Sox won the American League at 88-52.
The National League was represented by the Cincinnati Reds, themselves having won 96 games. In an unusual twist, the teams agreed to play a best-of-nine series in 1919.
While the White Sox were favored to win the series, tensions over salary issues, and personal hostilities, left the team susceptible to threats from the outside. The baseball world watched as a plot initiated by gamblers to pay several members of the team to lose the World Series unfolded in plain sight.
Although the details of the scandal remain somewhat murky, even in the present day, the plot was exposed in the year following the series. Despite his poor play (.531 OPS in the 1919 series), Collins himself was not implicated in the conspiracy. The fact that he managed to stay on the right side of the affair appears to be a result of the combination of his personal character, and the fact that he was not on particularly good terms with many of the conspirators.
Life After the Black Sox
The 1920 White Sox won 96 games, but finished two games behind Cleveland in the American League. Collins paced the offense with 7.9 bWAR. When the scandal went public following the 1920 season, the baseball world was rocked to its core.
As a franchise, it would be decades before the White Sox could put 1919 in the rear-view mirror completely. The team would not play in a World Series again until 1959. They would not win one until 2005.
Collins would play six more seasons for the White Sox after eight of his teammates were banned from baseball. From 1921-1926, he averaged .343/.434/.438, 128 OPS+, and 4.9 bWAR for teams that ranged from mediocre to bad.
Despite remaining productive as a 39-year-old in 1926, Collins was released by the White Sox that off-season.
After the White Sox
Collins spent the 1927-1930 seasons back with the Athletics as a coach and part-time player.
In 1933, Collins became the Vice President and General Manager of the Boston Red Sox. While with the Red Sox he oversaw the acquisition of a number of Boston’s great players of the next generation, including Ted Williams.
Legacy
It is possible that Eddie Collins is the most underrated great player in Major League history. With 124 career bWAR, Collins ranks 13th all-time ahead of Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and countless other icons.
Collins is part of a small group of players who would easily qualify as a Franchise Phenom for two different organizations. In fact, his 57.3 bWAR amassed as a member of the Athletics places him 5th all-time, just outside of their Mount RushWAR.
Collins finished sixth, or better, in the MVP voting seven different times in his career including three straight seasons with the White Sox from 1922-1924. He is Chicago’s all-time leader in stolen bases (368).
Collins is the all-time Major League leader in games played (2650), and assists (7630), as a second baseman. He ranks 8th all-time in stolen bases (741), 10th in bWAR for position players (124) and times on base (4891). He also ranks among the top-20 in triples (12th), OBP (13th), runs (17th), and walks (19th).
