Philadelphia Phillies

Cliff Lee, Starting Pitcher

Cliff Lee, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2000 but he never played with them. After two seasons in the minor leagues, the Expos traded Lee to the Cleveland Indians, who sent him to the minors for most of another season. They called him up in September to pitch in just two games and 10.1 innings. Lee again spent most of the 2003 season in the minors, playing in just nine games for the Indians that season.

Cole Hamels, Starting Pitcher

Cole Hamels, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was drafted by the Phillies in 2002. He started his career in 2003 in the minor leagues but injuries curtailed his playing time in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, he was called up to the Phillies and he pitched in 23 games for them. Hamels statistics in his first year in the major leagues include 132.1 innings pitched, 9-8 record, 4.08 ERA, and 145 strikeouts to 48 walks.

Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop

Jimmy Rollins, shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies, comes from a family of athletes, including a brother who played baseball in the minor leagues. Rollins also played in the minors after being drafted by the Phillies in 1996. He made his first appearance with the Phillies in 2000, playing in just 14 games with them that year. In 2001, Rollins had a strong rookie year, batting .274 with 180 hits, 29 doubles, 12 triples, 14 home runs, and 46 stolen bases.

Michael Young, Third Base

Michael Young, the new Philadelphia Phillies third baseman, played for 12 seasons with the Texas Rangers. He was first signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 but they traded him to the Rangers three years later. From 1997 through 2000, Young played in the minor leagues with the exception of two games that he played with the Rangers in 2000. The Rangers started him in the minors in 2001 but they called him up on May 25th. Young played with the Rangers until they traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies after the 2012 season ended.

Ryan Howard, First Base

Ryan Howard, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, was drafted by the Phillies in 2001 and he excelled in their minor league teams for his first three years after signing with them. In September, 2004, Howard was called up to the majors and in 42 at bats, he had 2 home runs and five doubles, ending his first partial season with a batting average of .282.

Charlie Manuel, Manager

Charlie Manuel, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies since 2005, is, at age 69, the second oldest manager in major league baseball today. Although he played baseball in high school and then was drafted by the Minnesota Twins, Manuel played in very few games in the major leagues. He played in the majors for just six years, first with the Twins from 1969 through 1972 and then in only 19 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 and 1975. He never played in more than 83 games in any season and he ended his career with just a .198 batting average.