Philadelphia Phillies

Lore & Background

The National League approved a new franchise for Philadelphia to begin play in 1883, at its annual meeting in Providence on December 7, 1882. The Phillies are the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in American professional sports. Since their founding, the Phillies have won two World Series championships (against the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays) and eight National League pennants (the first of which came in 1915). The team has played 122 consecutive seasons since the first modern World Series and 142 seasons since its inaugural 1883 campaign. The resignation of the Worcester and Troy franchises from the National League after the 1882 season created openings for two new franchises, which were granted to New York and Philadelphia. The team has played at several stadiums in the city, including Recreation Park (1883–1886), the Baker Bowl (1887–1938), Shibe Park (later renamed Connie Mack Stadium in 1953) (1938–1970), Veterans Stadium (1971–2003), and now at Citizens Bank Park (2004–present). Partly because of the team's longevity, the Phillies were the first American sports franchise to amass over 10,000 losses. Yet, the Phillies are one of only ten teams to also have won over 10,000 games in their history. With their first championship in 1980, the Phillies were the last of the 16 pre-expansion teams to win a World Series. Since the start of the Divisional Era in 1969, the Phillies have made 16 playoff appearances and won 13 division titles, six National League pennants, and two World Series championships. Over the team's history since 1883, 33 Phillies players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt is widely considered the franchise's greatest player of all time.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Veterans Stadium was thick with humidity and tension as the ninth inning unfolded under the bright lights. A Mets batter stepped into the box, the crowd's roar a deafening mix of 'Let's Go Mets' chants from visiting fans and jeers from the home faithful. The pitcher wound up, the crack of the bat echoing off the concrete walls, sending a line drive screaming toward left field. In that suspended second, the decades of history between New York and Philadelphia seemed to converge on one play, where a single bounce could alter the destiny of both franchises for another year.

Reader's Guide

The Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A affiliate is the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who play at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Double-A affiliate is the Reading Fightin Phils, who play in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Class-A affiliates are the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, who play in Lakewood Township, New Jersey; and the Clearwater Threshers, who play in Clearwater, Florida. The team's spring training facilities are at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.

Did You Know?

• The Phillies are the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in American professional sports.
• The Phillies were the first American sports franchise to amass over 10,000 losses.
• The Phillies were the last of the 16 pre-expansion teams to win a World Series (in 1980).
• Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt is widely considered the franchise's greatest player of all time.