Phillies Should Retire Some 2008 Heroes’ Numbers
By Matt Veasey
2008 HEROES TO TEST THE POLICY
The Phillies enjoyed the greatest period of sustained success in franchise history during the period from 2001-11. During those dozen seasons there was just one losing record, and that 80-81 of 2002 may have been avoided had a game not been wiped out and never rescheduled.
From 2007-11 the Phils captured five consecutive National League East Division crowns. They won the 2008 World Series, and returned as NL Pennant winners the following year. In 2011, the team set a franchise record with 102 regular season victories.
The Phillies had a core of five players who proved to be the glue during the best seasons: Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Cole Hamels.
Now the question is beginning to be debated: should any or all of these players have their numbers retired by the Phillies?
The question could become moot if any of them should actually be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. None would appear to be a first-ballot HOF choice at this point, and each is likely to be debated for a number of years.
That surely will not be the case with Ruiz. The beloved “Chooch” will settle for the honor of a place on the Phillies Wall of Fame at some point. His #51 is likely to be returned to circulation after a brief period of respect.
Each of the other four appeared with the Phillies for a considerable portion of their careers. Each left behind a legacy of greatness.