Philadelphia Baseball History

Shortstop is the most crucial defensive position in the infield.  Well, it used to be.  Before the era of the infield shift.  Sure the shift was cool, back when it was an innovative way  to counter the threat of legendary left-handed hitter Ted Williams.  Now the shift is everywhere.  Infield positions have pretty much become interchangeable.  If you have a left-handed hitter, move everyone over to the right side of the infield.  If you have a right-handed hitter, move everyone to the left side of the infield.  I hate the shift.  The shift just encourages left-handed power hitters, in particular, to swing for the fences.  Sure, you could bunt down the third base line, and likely get a base hit.  But modern hitting coaches discourage that.  Personally, I find the modern game of power hitting and power pitching boring.  Moving runners over, manufacturing runs, to me that's exciting baseball.  Don't get me wrong, ho...

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...