Mike Lieberthal retired as a member of the Phillies yesterday. He signed a one-day contract worth $4 (How do they come to that figure?) and threw out the first pitch before the Phils-Marlins tilt. Said Lieby:
“To put everything I had into the Phillies for 13 years, it’s pretty special. You don’t see too many players who stay with one team in any sport for that long of a period. It’s definitely an honor to come here and finish with the Phillies.”
Lieby caught 1,139 games for the Phils, the most ever for a red-pinned catcher. He hit .276 with 150 home runs and 609 RBI with the Phils. His best season was probably 1999, when he hit 31 homers and drove in 96, batting a cool .300. He hit .313 in 2003.
Most Phillie fans would place Lieby behind at least Bob Boone and Darren Daulton on all-time franchise lists. But statistically, Lieby trumps Dutch in major categories. Where would you put Lieby all-time?