When the Philadelphia Phillies retired Dick Allen‘s jersey number in 2020, the team went against its usual procedure — and what some considered an unofficial club rule — of only bestowing this designation upon Hall of Fame inductees.
Allen, who’s fallen just short of election to Cooperstown to this point, had the chance to see the Phillies honor him in his number retirement ceremony in September 2020 before his death that December.
He became the ninth player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining eight Phillies greats and Dodgers Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, whose No. 42 was universally retired by Major League Baseball in 1997 to honor the player who broke the league’s color barrier. The Phillies have also honored Hall of Famers Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein with the letter “P” in substitute for a jersey number.
Here’s a look at the seven Phillies players to have their numbers retired by the franchise:
No. 1, Richie Ashburn
While Ashburn was not yet a Hall of Famer when his number was retired in 1997, he was elected by the Veterans Committee and inducted into the Hall in 1995. “Whitey” played center field for the Phillies from 1948-1959 and won two batting titles, one stolen base title and made six All-Star teams in his career. Following his playing days, Ashburn served as a color commentator for the team from 1963 until his death in 1997.
No. 14, Jim Bunning
Bunning, a 1996 Hall of Fame inductee, had his number retired in Philadelphia in 2001. Primarily a Detroit Tiger, the right-hander spent two stints with the Phillies from 1964-1967 and 1970-1971. Bunning threw the seventh perfect game in major-league history and the first by a Phillie on Father’s Day 1964. He was a nine-time All-Star and led the majors in strikeouts three times.
No. 15, Dick Allen
Allen, the first Black star on a Phillies club that was the last in the National League to integrate, burst on the scene as the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year. The corner infielder spent two stints with the Phillies from 1963-1969 and 1975-1976. Throughout his career, the corner infielder hit 351 home runs, made seven All-Star teams, led the AL in home runs twice and was named the 1972 AL MVP.
No. 20, Mike Schmidt
The greatest player in team history and the top third baseman in major-league history, Schmidt had his number retired in 1990. The 1995 Hall of Famer played his whole career in Philadelphia from 1972-1989. A 12-time All-Star, Schmidt was a three-time NL MVP, eight-time home run leader, 10-time Gold Glove winner and the 1980 World Series MVP as the Phillies won their first championship.
No. 32, Steve Carlton
Carlton’s number was retired in 1989 following a 24-year pitching career that later earned him a 1994 Cooperstown induction. The left-hander played for the Phillies from 1972-1986, racking up four NL Cy Young Awards and winning the 1980 World Series in Philadelphia. Carlton previously earned a World Series ring with the Cardinals in 1967 and made 10 All-Star teams while leading the NL in wins four times and strikeouts five times.
No. 34, Roy Halladay
Originally slated for 2020, Halladay’s number was retired by the Phillies in 2021, two years after his posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame. One of the most decorated pitchers since the turn of the century, the right-hander closed out his career in Philadelphia from 2010-2013 following 12 seasons in Toronto. Halladay’s first two seasons with the Phillies were among the best in franchise history, with the eight-time All-Star being named the NL Cy Young in 2010 while also throwing the 20th perfect game and the second postseason no-hitter in major-league history that season. Halladay previously won the AL Cy Young Award in 2003.
No. 36, Robin Roberts
Roberts had his number retired in Philadelphia — the first in team history — in 1962, before his playing career was even over. He played the beginning of his career with the Phillies from 1948-1961 then went on to play with the Orioles, Astros and Cubs until 1966. The right-hander led the majors in wins four times and strikeouts twice with the Phillies. The seven-time All-Star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.
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