100 Greatest Phillies: 38 – Manny Trillo

Manny Trillo
Second Baseman
1979-1982

Career w/Phillies: .277 AVG / 19 HR / 160 RBI / 30 SB

Acquired in a trade with the Cubs along with Greg Gross, Manny Trillo was one of the final pieces of the 1980 championship puzzle. And what a piece. His defense overshadowed everything, as he won three Gold Gloves as a Phillie with some sterling plays at the sack. One cannot overlook the offense, however, which was always steady, earning him two Silver Slugger awards during his Philadelphia tenure. His best offensive season was 1980, when he hit .292 while slugging .412. He may have had a career year in 1981, hitting six homers and driving in 36, but his season was short because of the players’ strike. What stands out is Trillo was never a detriment to the Phillies offense, which makes him all the more appealing as an all-around player. Elite defense, good-enough offense. And of course, that MVP in the thrilling 1980 National League Championship Series. He was one of the five traded to the Indians for Von Hayes before the 1983 season.

Comment: A superior defensive player, Trillo easily earns Top 40 honors. While he’s one of the franchise’s greatest middle infielders, he’s only the first of four second basemen in the top 40. A stacked position, for sure.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.