Philadelphia Phillies
From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Philadelphia Phillies fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
Sam Thompson: Popularity Trophy
In 1895, the Philadelphia Phillies held a season-long contest requesting fans to vote for the most popular player on the baseball club. The final tally gave the nod to slugger Sam Thompson, whose .392 batting average and league-best 18 home runs no doubt helped him earn this silver loving cup.
Taking The Field: 19th Century
Robin Roberts: 1952 Jersey
During Robin Roberts’ 14 years with Philadelphia, he collected 234 wins to become the franchise’s winningest right-handed pitcher. He wore this Phillies jersey when he led the majors with 28 victories in 1952, the third of six straight seasons during which he collected 20 or more wins.
Baseball Timeline: 1930-70
Mike Schmidt: First MVP Season Bat
Mike Schmidt swung this bat with the Phillies in 1980, when he hit a career-high 48 home runs (setting a single-season record for homers by a third baseman), earned the National League MVP Award, and led Philly to its first World Championship.
Whole New Ballgame
Jimmy Rollins: 20-20-20 Season Shoes
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins wore these shoes on the final day of the 2007 regular season. With a line drive to right field in his last at-bat, Rollins collected his 20th triple, becoming just the fourth major leaguer in history with at least 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases in a season.
Whole New Ballgame
Phillie Phanatic Mascot Costume
The Phillie Phanatic, famed for his bouncing belly and ATV antics, debuted at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium on April 25, 1978. The six-foot six-inch mascot with the party-favor tongue remains a beloved presence at Phillies games to this day.
Sacred Ground
Steve Carlton: Strikeout Record Glove
Wearing this glove on July 6, 1980, Phillies southpaw Steve Carlton notched a fourth-inning strikeout of Cardinals outfielder Tony Scott to become the all-time strikeout king among left-handed pitchers, breaking the mark of 2,832 Ks held by Mickey Lolich. Although Randy Johnson later surpassed this record, "Lefty" ended his career with a whopping 4,136 strikeouts.
One For The Books
Aaron Nola: 10 Straight Ks Cap
On June 25, 2021, Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola wore this cap while striking out 10 consecutive Mets batters. The feat matched a big league record set by pitching legend Tom Seaver in 1970 at New York’s Shea Stadium. Coincidentally, Nola’s remarkable run of Ks took place at Citi Field, located right next to where Shea once stood.
One For The Books
Brad Lidge: World Series Final Out Cap
While wearing this cap, Phillies closer Brad Lidge recorded the final out of the 2008 World Series, topping off a perfect season in which he converted all 48 save opportunities, including seven in the postseason. Philadelphia’s Series victory marked the first by the club since their World Championship of 1980.
Autumn Glory
Roy Halladay: Perfect Game Baseball
This baseball comes from Philadelphia pitcher Roy Halladay’s spectacular performance on May 29, 2010, at Florida’s Sun Life Stadium. With his 1-0, perfect-game victory over the Marlins, Halladay joined Jim Bunning as the only Phillies moundsmen to retire all 27 batters they faced in a game.
Your Team Today
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