Philadelphia Phillies

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1883

  • Original Name/City: Philadelphia Quakers

  • Current Ballpark: Citizens Bank Park

  • World Series Titles: 2 (1980, 2008)

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Phils, The Fightin' Phils

A History of the Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies, founded in 1883, are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of American professional sports. For much of their history, that continuity was defined by struggle; the franchise holds the unfortunate distinction of having lost more games than any other team in North American professional sports history.

The team played for decades in antiquated ballparks like the Baker Bowl, before moving to Shibe Park (later renamed Connie Mack Stadium), and then to Veterans Stadium in 1971.

The franchise's first golden era arrived in the late 1970s. Led by third baseman Mike Schmidt, the greatest player in team history, and the masterful left-handed pitcher Steve Carlton, the Phillies became a perennial contender. After several years of heartbreaking playoff losses, the team finally broke through in 1980, defeating the Kansas City Royals to win the franchise's first-ever World Series title, bringing joy to a city that had waited 97 years for a baseball championship.

A second, even more successful era began after the team moved into its current home, Citizens Bank Park, in 2004. With a homegrown core of stars including Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard, the Phillies dominated the NL East.

This run culminated in the 2008 season, where the team, led by ace Cole Hamels, won its second World Series title. Known for having one of the most passionate, demanding, and loyal fanbases in all of sports, the Phillies' history is one of long droughts punctuated by glorious, city-uniting triumphs.

Franchise Timeline

  • 1883: Founded as the Philadelphia Quakers.

  • 1884: Adopted the Phillies name.

  • 1971: Moved into Veterans Stadium.

  • 1980: Won their first World Series.

  • 2004: Moved into Citizens Bank Park.

  • 2008: Won their second World Series.

Legendary Players

Mike Schmidt (1972-1989)

  • The greatest third baseman of all time, Schmidt was the complete package of power, speed, and defense. A three-time NL MVP and 10-time Gold Glove winner, he hit 548 career home runs and was the undisputed leader of the 1980 World Series championship team.

Steve Carlton (1972-1986)

  • The stoic and intimidating "Lefty" was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. He is one of only four pitchers in history to win four Cy Young Awards, all of them with the Phillies. His 1972 season, in which he won 27 games for a last-place team, is considered one of the greatest pitching feats ever.

Chase Utley (2003-2015)

  • The hard-nosed, beloved second baseman who was the heart and soul of the 2008 championship team, Utley was revered for his intense, all-out style of play and his quiet leadership. His famous declaration that the Phillies were "World... Champions" at the victory parade is an iconic moment for the city.

Bryce Harper (2019-Present)

  • One of the biggest stars in the modern game, Harper signed a massive contract with the Phillies and immediately embraced the city's passion. He won his second career NL MVP award in 2021 and led the Phillies on a magical run to the 2022 World Series, delivering iconic postseason home runs and becoming a true Philadelphia icon.