Top Ten Phillies since 2000

Since the turn of the century, the Phillies have had some of the best success they have had in any decade since the '70s. As the baseball season is already underway in the final year of the decade, let's take a look at who the top Phillies have been since 2000.

10. Mike Lieberthal (2000-2006)

It may or may not be a coincidence that once Lieberthal left town and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies finally broke through and won the NL East. The Phillies had won the division in 1993, a year before Lieberthal was on the roster, and had come close a couple times, but always fell short since that point.

But do not over look Lieberthal's numbers since 2000 as the Phillies developed into the team they are now. In 719 games Lieberthal posted a .279 batting average and 359 RBI on 717 hits. He also chipped in with 83 home runs and walked 208 times.

9. Randy Wolf (2000-2006)

In 169 starts for the Phillies, Randy Wolf put together a 63-51 record with a 4.06 ERA. Wolf threw 11 complete games, seven of which were shutouts, and totaled 855 strike outs and 370 walks between 2000 and 2006.

His best season came in 2002, when Wolf went 11-9 but recorded a career high in innings pitched and posted a 3.20 ERA. In 2003, Wolf went 16-10, but had slightly worse statistical numbers than in 2002.

8. Cole Hamels (2006-Present)

Hamels may have only been with the team for a relatively brief time, but he has quickly become the best pitcher for the Phillies in this decade. The only reason the young ace is this far down the list is because of his time of service for the Phillies.

Since taking the mound for the first time, Hamels has put together a 38-23 record that is backed up with 518 strike outs and a 3.43 ERA. Hamels' best pitch is his change up and it has helped him become a dominant force every five days.

Hamels really came into his own last year during the 2008 playoffs, in which Hamels went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 30 strike outs.
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7. Ryan Howard (2004-Present)

Howard has quickly become one of the best power hitters in franchise history. After appearing in only 19 games towards the end of the 2004 season, Howard made his grand entrance to the major league spot light in 2005 with a season worthy of a NL Rookie of the Year award.

How would he follow that up?

With an NL MVP season in 2006.

Howard was a popular pick for the MVP again in 2008, but he is still a force to be reckoned with. In his short time with the Phillies, Howard has amassed 177 home runs and 499 RBI.

His offensive power will sometimes take a back seat to his sub-par defensive skills at first base, but Howard is a solid pick for top ten Phillies since 2000.

6. Bobby Abreu (2000-2006)

Abreu spent time in the Phillies right field position from 2000 (his first season with the club was 1998) until 2006, when he was traded to the New York Yankees.

In his time here, Abreu put together a .298 batting average with 1,230 hits and 766 runs scored. Throw in 712 RBI and 845 walks and you can see the importance of having Abreu in the lineup was for the team as it transformed into a World Series-caliber team.

Abreu may have his naysayers (Gold Glove...really?), but there is no question that Abreu deserves to be in this list.

5. Chase Utley (2003-Present)

Breaking on to the scene in 2003, Utley has probably become the best second baseman in team history. He has a batting average of .298—tied for highest with Abreu—with 817 hits, 130 home runs, 490 runs scored, and 492 RBI.

His defense has also become much better over the years as he has developed and he has become a clutch player.

Need evidence?

Utley's clutchness is best illustrated in his pump-fake throw to first base and then throwing to home plate in the World Series. You know the play.

4. Scott Rolen (2000-2002)

Rolen's time as a Phillies' third baseman was cut short when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002.

In his 379 games since 2000 with the Phillies, Rolen still put up some good numbers. Rolen scored 236 runs, notched 401 hits, and hit 68 home runs.

He also recorded 262 RBI and walked 177 times. Winning three Gold Gloves in years that he played with the Phillies (including his 2002 award), Rolen was, at the time, regarded as one of, if not the, best third baseman in the game.

One wonders what it would have been like if Charlie Manuel was Rolen's manager instead of Larry Bowa.

3. Pat Burrell (2000-2008)

Pat the Bat is not as decorated as some of his former Phillies teammates in regards to individual awards, such as Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers or even All-Star selections, but most fans would recognize Burrell as one of the best players to put on the red pinstripes since 2000. In a little over 1,300 games, Burrell totaled 251 home runs and 827 RBI. His slugging percentage with the Phillies was .485. He also walked 785 times.
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2. Brett Myers (2002-Present)

The enigmatic Myers can make you scratch your head at times. Fans can't help but wonder which Myers will show up on any given night.

But there is no disputing his numbers when comparing all of the Phillies' starting pitchers since 2000. After making his debut in 2002, Myers has become the franchise leader in strikeouts (942, including his six in the 2009 opener) and wins (69) since 2000.

1. Jimmy Rollins (2000-Present)

The only player on the roster to have played for the Phillies every year in the decade, it is no surprise that Rollins would be at the top of this list.

The 2007 NL VP boasts a pair of Gold Gloves as well as a trio of All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger.

Rollins not only does his best work on the field with his defensive abilities and his speed on the base paths, but he has become Mr. Phillie, and has truly developed into an outspoken leader in the club house.

Honorable mention: Jim Thome, Aaron Rowand, Shane Victorino, Billy Wagner, Vicente Padilla, Jose Mesa, Placido Polanco.

So who would round out your top ten Phillies in the past decade? What do you agree or disagree with from the above? Feel free to chime in with your top ten list in the comment section.