It's a rare feat for a player to spend their entire Major League Baseball career with a single team, largely due to the prevalence of free agency. As of September 2024, 192 players have played at least 10 seasons for the Phillies, a club that has seen 2, 648 different players since its inception in 1883. Only six have spent their entire careers in Philadelphia so far.
The Phillies' Iron Horses of long careers include third baseman Mike Schmidt, first baseman Ryan Howard, right-handed pitchers Larry Christenson, Bob Miller, and infielder Terry Harmon. More recently, right-hander Aaron Nola joined the ranks of the 10-year players in 2024, though it remains to be seen if he will finish his career with the team.
Next in line, with seven seasons under their belt, are infielder Putsy Caballero and pitchers George Chalmers, Jack Meyer, and John Boozer.
Mike Schmidt
Drafted in 1971 from Ohio University, Schmidt debuted at age 22 on September 12, 1972, and played his final game at age 39 on May 28, 1989. Widely considered the best third baseman in baseball history, Schmidt is the greatest player in Phillies history. A 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner Kyle Schwarber Jersey, six-time Silver Slugger, and three-time National League MVP, Schmidt also led the NL in home runs eight times and RBIs three times. His career stats include 548 home runs, 2, 404 games played, and a slash line of.267/.380/.527. His No. 20 jersey has been retired.
Ryan Howard
Howard, selected in the fifth round of the 2001 draft, made his debut at age 24 on September 1, 2004, and retired after playing his final game on October 2, 2016, at age 36. He is considered the best first baseman in franchise history, with three All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, and two Silver Slugger Awards. Howard holds the club record for most home runs in a season, with 58, and ranks second to Schmidt with 382 home runs over 1, 572 games. His career slash line is.258/.343/.515.
Larry Christenson
Christenson, drafted in 1972 out of high school, made his debut at age 19 on April 13, 1973. After an injury-plagued career, including elbow surgery that ended his playing days at age 29, Christenson posted a 19-6 record in 1977, which remains his best season. Over 243 games Nick Castellanos Jersey, he compiled an 83-71 record with a 3.79 ERA. His 11 career home runs as a pitcher tie Rick Wise for most in franchise history by a pitcher.
Bob Miller
Miller, who was drafted by the Phillies in 1948 after serving in World War II, debuted at age 23 on September 16, 1949. Despite a career plagued by injuries, he posted an 11-6 record in his rookie season. Over 10 years, Miller appeared in 261 games, with a 42-42 record and a 3.96 ERA. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959, but later returned to the Phillies before being released shortly after.
Terry Harmon
Harmon, drafted in 1965, made his debut as a pinch-runner at age 23 on July 23, 1967. Harmon played in a variety of infield positions, including second base and shortstop, totaling 547 games over 11 seasons. He is known for setting the Major League record for "Most chances accepted by a second baseman in a nine-inning game" with 18 chances on June 21, 1971. Harmon hit.233 over his career.
Aaron Nola
Selected in the first round of the 2014 draft from LSU, Nola made his MLB debut on July 21, 2015. As of 2024, Nola has a 104-79 record and ranks in the franchise's top 10 in wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts. He holds the record for most career wins at Citizens Bank Park and is under contract through 2030.
Philadelphia As Iron Horses
The Philadelphia A's also had their own version of "Iron Horses." Right-handed pitcher Eddie Rommel spent 13 seasons with the A's, compiling a 117-91 record. He pitched in a historic 18-inning game in which he set records for hits allowed and walks, yet still secured a win. Second baseman Pete Suder also played all 13 seasons with the A's, spending 12 in Philadelphia and one in Kansas City.
Among the longest tenured Major League players, Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski each played 23 seasons, making them two of the most durable players in MLB history.
It's a rare feat for a player to spend their entire Major League Baseball career with a single team, largely due to the prevalence of free agency. As of September 2024, 192 players have played at least 10 seasons for the Phillies, a club that has seen 2, 648 different players since its inception in 1883. Only six have spent their entire careers in Philadelphia so far.
The Phillies' Iron Horses of long careers include third baseman Mike Schmidt, first baseman Ryan Howard, right-handed pitchers Larry Christenson, Bob Miller, and infielder Terry Harmon. More recently, right-hander Aaron Nola joined the ranks of the 10-year players in 2024, though it remains to be seen if he will finish his career with the team.
Next in line, with seven seasons under their belt, are infielder Putsy Caballero and pitchers George Chalmers, Jack Meyer, and John Boozer.
Mike Schmidt
Drafted in 1971 from Ohio University, Schmidt debuted at age 22 on September 12, 1972, and played his final game at age 39 on May 28, 1989. Widely considered the best third baseman in baseball history, Schmidt is the greatest player in Phillies history. A 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner Kyle Schwarber Jersey, six-time Silver Slugger, and three-time National League MVP, Schmidt also led the NL in home runs eight times and RBIs three times. His career stats include 548 home runs, 2, 404 games played, and a slash line of.267/.380/.527. His No. 20 jersey has been retired.
Ryan Howard
Howard, selected in the fifth round of the 2001 draft, made his debut at age 24 on September 1, 2004, and retired after playing his final game on October 2, 2016, at age 36. He is considered the best first baseman in franchise history, with three All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, and two Silver Slugger Awards. Howard holds the club record for most home runs in a season, with 58, and ranks second to Schmidt with 382 home runs over 1, 572 games. His career slash line is.258/.343/.515.
Larry Christenson
Christenson, drafted in 1972 out of high school, made his debut at age 19 on April 13, 1973. After an injury-plagued career, including elbow surgery that ended his playing days at age 29, Christenson posted a 19-6 record in 1977, which remains his best season. Over 243 games Nick Castellanos Jersey, he compiled an 83-71 record with a 3.79 ERA. His 11 career home runs as a pitcher tie Rick Wise for most in franchise history by a pitcher.
Bob Miller
Miller, who was drafted by the Phillies in 1948 after serving in World War II, debuted at age 23 on September 16, 1949. Despite a career plagued by injuries, he posted an 11-6 record in his rookie season. Over 10 years, Miller appeared in 261 games, with a 42-42 record and a 3.96 ERA. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959, but later returned to the Phillies before being released shortly after.
Terry Harmon
Harmon, drafted in 1965, made his debut as a pinch-runner at age 23 on July 23, 1967. Harmon played in a variety of infield positions, including second base and shortstop, totaling 547 games over 11 seasons. He is known for setting the Major League record for "Most chances accepted by a second baseman in a nine-inning game" with 18 chances on June 21, 1971. Harmon hit.233 over his career.
Aaron Nola
Selected in the first round of the 2014 draft from LSU, Nola made his MLB debut on July 21, 2015. As of 2024, Nola has a 104-79 record and ranks in the franchise's top 10 in wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts. He holds the record for most career wins at Citizens Bank Park and is under contract through 2030.
Philadelphia As Iron Horses
The Philadelphia A's also had their own version of "Iron Horses." Right-handed pitcher Eddie Rommel spent 13 seasons with the A's, compiling a 117-91 record. He pitched in a historic 18-inning game in which he set records for hits allowed and walks, yet still secured a win. Second baseman Pete Suder also played all 13 seasons with the A's, spending 12 in Philadelphia and one in Kansas City.
Among the longest tenured Major League players, Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski each played 23 seasons, making them two of the most durable players in MLB history.
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