Phillies Iron Horses
It is rare that a player spends his entire Major League Baseball career with one team. Free agency is the biggest culprit.
As of September 2024, the list included 192 players who played at least 10 seasons. The Yankees have the most, 26.
The Phillies have been around since 1883 ... 2,648 different players. Only six spent their entire career with the Phillies. So far.
Third baseman Mike Schmidt (18), first baseman Ryan Howard (13), right-handed pitcher Larry Christenson (11), another righty Bob Miller (10) and infielder Terry Harmon (10) are the Phillies “Iron Horses” of double-digit careers. One current player, right-hander Aaron Nola, joined the 10-year rank this season as No. 6. Whether he finishes his career with the Phillies remains to be seen.
A level under them is infielder Putsy Caballero (8) and three right-handed pitchers at 7, George Chalmers, Jack Meyer and John Boozer.
Mike Schmidt
Drafted in the second round (30th overall) in 1971 out of Ohio University ... Made debut at age 22, wearing No. 22, Sept. 12, 1972 ... Played last game, age 39, May 28, 1989.
Greatest player in franchise history and best third baseman in baseball history. 12-time All-Star, 10 Gold Glove Awards, six Silver Slugger Awards, three-time National League MVP awards, led NL in home runs eight times and RBIs three times. 1980 World Series MVP, Phillies Wall of Fame and Baseball Hall of Fame. 548 home runs in 2,404 games; slashing .267-.380-.527. Uniform No. 20 retired.
Ryan Howard
Drafted in fifth round (140th overall) in 2001 out of Missouri State University ... Made debut at age 24, wearing No. 12, Sept. 1, 2004 ... Played last game, age 36, Oct. 2, 2016.
Greatest first baseman in franchise history. 3-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year and MVP (2006), NLCS MVP (2008), Silver Slugger. Led NL in homers three times and RBIs twice. Holds club record for most home runs in a season (58, 2006). Second to Schmidt in homers, 382 in 1,572 games; slashing .258-.343-.515.
Larry Christenson
Drafted in first round (3rd overall) in 1972 out of Marysville (WA) High School ... Made debut at age 19, April 13, 1973 ... Pitched last game, age 29, June 3, 1983.
Wore No. 38 entire career, longest of any Phillies player for any number. Won debut, 7-1, over the Mets at Veterans Stadium, a complete game five-hitter. Last win, May 29, 1983, over Expos. Started one other game and underwent career-ending elbow surgery. Numerous other injuries throughout career. 19-6 in 1977 was his best season. Finished 83-71, 3.79 ERA, in 243 games. As a batter, 11 career homers matches Rick Wise for most in franchise history for a pitcher.
Bob Miller
Signed by Phillies as an amateur out of the University of Detroit prior to 1948 season; was in combat at age 18 in World War II ... Made debut at age 23, Sept. 16, 1949, wearing No. 41 (No. 19 rest of career) ... Pitched last game at age 32, Aug. 10, 1958.
Began 1950 rookie season, 8-0; finished 11-6, lone season with double figure wins. Finished 10 years, 42-42, 3.96 ERA for 261 games (68 starts). Also spent six seasons in the Minor Leagues. Plagued with multiple injuries. Sent to the St. Louis Cardinals, Feb. 4, 1959, as part of a conditional deal; returned to Phillies before season started in April. Released the following month.
Terry Harmon
Drafted in fifth round (85th overall) in 1965 out of Ohio University ... Made debut at age 23, a pinch-runner, July 23, 1967, against Cincinnati at Veterans Stadium ... Last game, Oct. 2, 1977, vs. Montreal at the Vet.
Spent three seasons in Minor Leagues, 1966-67-68 . . . Middle infielder who played 237 games at second base, 183 at shortstop . . . Career .233 hitter in 547 games (1,276 plate appearances) ... He held a Major League record for “Most chances accepted by a second baseman in a nine-inning game-18," set on June 21, 1971, against Cincinnati at the Vet.
Aaron Nola
Drafted in first round (7th overall) in 2014 out of LSU ... After 29 Minor League starts (2014-15) made his Major League debut, July 21, 2015.
Aaron’s 104-79 in his first 10 seasons ... Ranks in franchise’s all-time top 10 in wins, starts, innings and strikeouts ... Has most career wins at Citizens Bank Park (57-31) ... Under contract through 2030.
Philadelphia A’s
RHP Eddie Rommel ... Made debut April 19, 1920 ... Last game Sept. 17, 1932 ... Compiled 117-91 for 13 season’s with Connie Mack’s A’s ... 1-0 in one World Series start (1929). Did not pitch in 1930 Series ... Led American League in wins (27, 1922; 21, 1925) and losses (23, 1921; 19, 1923) ... Walked 724 and struck out 599 in career ... America League umpire, 1938-59.
Last win: Came in last game. Manager Connie Mack took only two pitchers with him to Cleveland. Rommel relieved rookie Lew Krausse after one inning, and pitched the next 17 innings until the Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians 18-17. During that game, he set records by giving up 29 hits and nine walks in his 17 frames (also a record) and recorded the victory in spite of having given up 14 runs. Already 34 that day, he was able to pitch that long because the knuckleball put little stress on his arm.
2B Pete Suder played all 13 seasons with the A’s, 12 in Philadelphia (1941-43, 1946-54) and one in Kansas City (1955) ... Originally signed by the Yankees (1935) ... Drafted by the A’s in the Rule 5 Draft, Oct. 1, 1940 ... MLB debut, April 15, 1941 (Military duty 1944-45) ... Final game with KC A’s, May 30, 1955.
Major League Baseball
Longest at 23 seasons each, are Hall of Famers 3B Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Orioles, 1955-1977) and OF Carl Yastrzemski (Boston Red Sox, 1961-1983).