This is the fifth in a series of most career games by position in Phillies history: the top five in games at shortstop. Catchers, pitchers, first basemen and second basemen were the first four. Third base will be next.
• Jimmy Rollins (2000-14), 2,058 games
• Larry Bowa (1970-81), 1,730
• Mickey Doolan (1905-13), 1,297
• Granny Hamner (1944-59), 924
• Heinie Sand (1923-28), 772
James (Jimmy) Calvin Rollins was a second-round pick by the Phillies out of Encinal High School in Oakland, in 1996. Four years later, he reached the big leagues, getting a triple as his first hit. Rollins' last hit as a Phillie was also a triple in 2014. In between, he performed and put up numbers unmatched by any Phils shortstop: one Silver Slugger, three All-Star teams, four Gold Gloves, the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player Award. In the end, Rollins had the most-at-bats, hits and doubles in Phillies history while ranking second in four other offensive categories. Defensively, he was as consistent as they come. Rollins was the table-setter, their vocal voice and a player who excelled in pressure games. Took over club lead in games played at shortstop, passing Larry Bowa on Aug. 14, 2012.
Lawrence (Larry) Robert Bowa couldn't make his Sacramento (Calif.) high school team and wasn't among the 824 players drafted in 1965, but he was signed by the Phillies because he could field, throw and run. He was ready to quit after his first pro game in Spartanburg, striking out all four times against flame-throwing Nolan Ryan. Because of a feisty makeup, Bowa developed into a premier shortstop and collected 2,191 hits, 1,798 with the Phils. Lifetime fielding percentage of .981. Led NL in fielding percentage six times and won two Gold Gloves. Five-time All-Star. Bowa was the NL's all-time leader in games played at shortstop when he retired. A player, coach, manager and coach again, Bowa has worn the Phillies uniform longer than anyone in franchise history.
Michael (Mickey) Doolan, born in Ashland, Pa., a small town in the coal region, was a defensive stalwart as the Phillies regular shortstop from 1905 through 1913, 1,297 games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Bowa broke Doolan's 65-year-old record on Aug. 22, 1978. Doolan was charged with a league-leading 66 errors (941 chances) in his second Phils season when he had 395 putouts, which still stands as a record among Phillies shortstops. Six times, Mickey led NL shortstops in assists and five times in putouts. Was named the team captain in 1909, a position he held until he jumped to the Federal League in 1914 with teammate Otto Knabe. The two played the most games at second and shortstop, respectively, for the Phils until the Utley-Rollins era. During his Phillies career, Doolan hit .236 in 1,302 games. Doolan attended both Bucknell College and Villanova College, earning a degree in dentistry. With his baseball career behind him, he practiced dentistry until 1947.
Granville (Granny) Wilbur Hamner, a native of Richmond, Va., made his Major League debut as a shortstop for the Phillies in 1944 at age 17. A brother, Garvin "Wes", 20, opened the 1945 season at second base with Granny at shortstop. Granny was named captain by manager Eddie Sawyer in 1952. He was regarded as a terrific clutch hitter. He was the first player in baseball history to be elected an All-Star starter at two different positions, shortstop and second base. Granny spent 17 years with the Phils, 10 as a starter. Hit .429 in 1950 World Series. Overall, a .263 hitter with 1,518 hits in 1,501 Phillies games. Played for the Cleveland and Kansas City following his Phils career.
John (Heinie) Henry Sand was the Phillies' regular shortstop from 1923-28, averaging 143 games and 550 at-bats. It was the only experience in the Major Leagues for the San Francisco, native. Heinie led the NL in errors (60, 1925 and 55, 1926) and putouts (333, 1924 and 352, 1925). Also led in fielding percentage (.959, 1924). He was involved in three triple plays (1923-24-25). The 5-foot-8, 160-pounder was a right-handed hitter. He batted .258 in 848 career games, 18 homers and 251 RBIs.