Editing Philadelphia Phillies (section)

== History ==

=== Founding and Early Years (1883-1899) ===

The Philadelphia Phillies were founded in 1883 when sporting goods magnate '''Al Reach''' and attorney '''John Rogers''' purchased the Worcester Ruby Legs franchise and moved it to Philadelphia. The team was informally known as both the "Quakers" and "Phillies" for several years before officially adopting the Phillies name in 1890.<ref name="baseball-reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/index.shtml |title=Philadelphia Phillies Team History & Encyclopedia |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

The franchise's early years were marked by struggle. Playing at Recreation Park and later the Baker Bowl, the Phillies posted losing records more often than not during the 19th century. However, the team did produce its first star in outfielder '''Ed Delahanty''', who won the batting title in 1899 with a .410 average.

=== The Dead Ball Era (1900-1919) ===

The early 20th century brought the Phillies their first taste of postseason success. The 1915 team, led by pitcher '''Grover Cleveland Alexander''', won the franchise's first National League pennant. Alexander was dominant that season, posting a 31-10 record with a 1.22 ERA and 12 shutouts. The Phillies lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox (featuring a young Babe Ruth), but Alexander's performance established him as one of baseball's greatest pitchers. He would win 190 games for the Phillies and is still considered the franchise's greatest pitcher.

=== The Whiz Kids (1950) ===

After decades of mediocrity, the '''Whiz Kids''' of 1950 captured Philadelphia's imagination. Led by young stars like '''Robin Roberts''', '''Richie Ashburn''', and '''Curt Simmons''', this team of players mostly under 30 years old won the National League pennant in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season. Though they were swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series, the Whiz Kids remain beloved figures in Philadelphia baseball history.

=== Struggles and the Move to Veterans Stadium (1960s-1970s) ===

The 1960s were largely forgettable for the Phillies, though the franchise did witness one of baseball's most famous collapses. The 1964 team held a 6.5-game lead with 12 games remaining but lost 10 consecutive games to finish second.

The team moved from Connie Mack Stadium (Shibe Park) to [[Veterans Stadium]] in 1971, beginning a new era of Phillies baseball. The 1970s brought sustained success, with the Phillies winning three consecutive NL East titles from 1976-1978 behind stars like '''Mike Schmidt''', '''Steve Carlton''', '''Greg Luzinski''', and '''Larry Bowa'''.

=== 1980 World Championship ===

The '''1980 Philadelphia Phillies''' achieved what had eluded the franchise for 97 years: a World Series championship. Led by third baseman '''Mike Schmidt''' (who won the NL MVP and World Series MVP), pitcher '''Steve Carlton''', and closer '''Tug McGraw''', the Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals 4 games to 2 to capture the first championship in franchise history.<ref name="champsorchumps">{{cite web |url=https://champsorchumps.us/team/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/championships |title=Philadelphia Phillies Championship History |publisher=Champs or Chumps |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

The clinching moment came in Game 6 when McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end the game. His famous leap off the mound and the subsequent celebration at Veterans Stadium remain among Philadelphia's most cherished sports memories.

=== 1993 and the "Macho Row" ===

The 1993 Phillies, a scrappy, bearded, blue-collar team known as '''Macho Row''', captured the National League pennant behind colorful characters like '''John Kruk''', '''Lenny Dykstra''', '''Darren Daulton''', and pitcher '''Curt Schilling'''. Though they lost the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays on Joe Carter's iconic walk-off home run, this team's gritty personality perfectly embodied Philadelphia's sports culture.

=== 2008 World Championship ===

The '''2008 Philadelphia Phillies''' brought a second World Series title to Philadelphia, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4 games to 1. This championship ended a 25-year championship drought across all Philadelphia professional sports—the longest such drought in the city's history.<ref name="phillies-postseason">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/history/year-by-year-results/postseason |title=Phillies Postseason History |publisher=MLB.com |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

The team was led by:
* '''Ryan Howard''' - NL MVP runner-up, 48 home runs, 146 RBIs
* '''Chase Utley''' - All-Star second baseman and World Series hero
* '''Cole Hamels''' - World Series MVP with a dominant postseason
* '''Jimmy Rollins''' - 2007 NL MVP and leadoff catalyst
* '''Brad Lidge''' - Closer who converted all 48 save opportunities (41 regular season, 7 postseason)

The celebration that followed, including a massive parade down Broad Street, marked Philadelphia's first baseball championship in 28 years.

=== 2009-2011: Sustained Excellence ===

The Phillies returned to the World Series in 2009 but lost to the New York Yankees. The team remained competitive through 2011, winning five consecutive NL East titles (2007-2011) and establishing themselves as one of baseball's premier franchises. The 2011 rotation of '''Roy Halladay''', '''Cliff Lee''', '''Cole Hamels''', and '''Roy Oswalt''' was considered one of the greatest pitching staffs ever assembled.

=== Rebuild and Renaissance (2012-Present) ===

After several rebuilding years, the Phillies returned to prominence under manager '''Rob Thomson'''. The 2022 team made an improbable World Series run as a Wild Card entry, losing to the Houston Astros. In 2024, the Phillies won the NL East title for the first time since 2011, finishing 95-67 before falling to the New York Mets in the Division Series.

Key current stars include:
* '''Bryce Harper''' - 2021 NL MVP, franchise cornerstone
* '''Kyle Schwarber''' - Power-hitting leadoff man
* '''Trea Turner''' - All-Star shortstop
* '''Zack Wheeler''' - Ace pitcher and Cy Young contender