Philadelphia Phillies are a professional baseball team that plays in the National League (NL) East division of Major League Baseball (MLB). The team plays its home games at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Phillies entered the National League as a team called the Quakers in 1883. The team was also known as the Philadelphias, which was often shortened to Phillies. The team officially became the Phillies in 1890. After many years of mediocrity, the Phillies reached the World Series in 1915, but lost to the Boston Red Sox. Early Phillies stars included Hall of Famers Grover Cleveland Alexander, Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Eppa Rixey, and Sam Thompson.
From 1918 to 1948, the Phillies had just one winning season (78-76 in 1932). Then a group of young players nicknamed the “Whiz Kids” turned the Phillies into a contending team. In 1950, the ball club won the NL pennant but lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. Stars of that team included Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts and key players Del Ennis and Curt Simmons.
After another lengthy run of mediocrity, the Phillies made the playoffs six times from 1976 through 1983. In 1980, the team won its first World Series, defeating the Kansas City Royals in six games. The Phillies returned to the World Series in 1983, but lost to the Baltimore Orioles. Phillies stars of that era included Hall of Famers Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt and key players Greg Luzinski and Pete Rose.
Another down period ended with a World Series appearance in 1993, but the Phillies lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. Philadelphia won the 2008 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies returned to the series in 2009, but lost to the Yankees. Stars of those teams included first baseman Ryan Howard, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and second baseman Chase Utley. The 2022 Phillies advanced to the World Series, but lost to the Houston Astros. Stars of the 2022 team included designated hitter Bryce Harper, catcher J. T. Realmuto, and pitcher Zack Wheeler.
