Philadelphia Baseball History

The middle infield positions are the key to a team's defense.  With the ball coming at you fast, the second baseman mus be quick on his feet, and sure with his glove.  Of course it helps if the second baseman is talented with the bat, too.  Here are our top five picks for the best Phillies second basemen of all time. 5.            Juan Samuel Juan Samuel was fast.  In his first full season with the Phillies, 1984, he stole 72 bases.  He also batted .272, and made the All-Star team.  Over the next three seasons, he batted .264, .266 and .272 respectively, stealing 53, 42 and 35 bases.  He was an All-Star again in 1987.  In 1988, The Phillies tried to switch Sammy to the outfield, and his offensive number suffered because of it.  He hit .243 in 1988 and .246 in 51 games in 1989.  With his offensive numbers dwindling, Samuel likely brought his greatest value to the team in 1989, when the Phillies traded h...

William J.Kovatch, Jr.             The first Philadelphia Athletics baseball club, according to star second baseman Alfred J. Reach, had its roots in music.   A group of music lovers, calling themselves the Handel and Haydn Music Society met regularly along Philadelphia’s Spring Garden Street.   In addition to their penchant for singing, the members also had a joy for playing ball.             In a meeting held in 1859, over which a coal merchant named John J. Heisler presided, the Philadelphia Athletic Ball Club was created.   Heisler became the club’s first treasurer and second baseman.   William Ernst was elected president.             When the club was formed, the popular ball game in the Philadelphia area was called town ball.   The game involved a bowler lobbing a ball to a batsman o...