Fading Figures
Velocities of 95 to 100 mph, spin rates, starters programmed to exit after five to six innings followed by a parade of relievers for specific matchups in high-leverage situations. Then one-inning closers bringing heat.
Two-seam, four-seam fastballs, knuckle-curves, cutters, sliders, sinkers, splitters and sweepers. Then 85-86 mph changeups. Analytic assessments of every pitcher against every hitter.
Such is the life of a current hitter who frequently faces multiple pitchers in a game.
Two-hundred-hit seasons are fading. Tyler Kepner, senior baseball writer for The Athletic, devoted a column on the subject in September. One sentence was a stunner: “Overall, Don Mattingly faced 720 different pitchers in 14 seasons; Phillies third baseman Bryson Stott has faced 779 in five seasons.”
The Phillies have been around for 144 seasons. Since 1900, there have been 19 seasons in which one or more players have accumulated 200 hits.
The most: Chuck Klein, five consecutive seasons, a franchise high (1929-33); Richie Ashburn, three seasons (1951, ;53, '58); Dave Cash, twice (1974-75).
The last one? None other than the club’s all-time hits leader, Jimmy Rollins. During his 2007 MVP season, he had 212 hits, tied for second in the league.
So, now the next question: Who is the last Phillie to come close since then? None other than Ben Revere. His 184 hits led the league in 2014.
Historical Nuggets
Future Hall of Fame outfielder, Elmer Flick, was the first Phillie in 1900 (207).
Then no one until 1929. In that 154-game season, the Phillies became the first to have four players: LF Lefty O’Doul (254), RF Klein (219), 2B Fresco Thompson (202) and 3B Pinky Whitney (200). That club finished fifth (71-82-1) thanks to a 6.13 team ERA. O’Doul’s 254 hits are a Phillies record.
Repeaters in 1930: Klein (250), Whitney (207), O’Doul (202).
CF Chick Fullis finished with 200 in 1933. During his eight-year career, he only had 548 total hits.
3B Dick Allen’s 201 hits in 1964 are still a Phillies rookie record.
Ichiro Suzuki and Pete Rose share Major League Baseball’s record for most 200-hit seasons, 10. Ichiro did it in 10 consecutive seasons (2001-10) after coming over from Japan. Rose did it 10 times over his 24-year career. His 10th came in his first Phillies season (1979), 208 hits.
Between Rose and Rollins, Doug Glanville (204, 1999) and Chase Utley (203, 2006).
2026 leader? Trea Turner, 156.