The Philadelphia Phillies do not have a long, rich history of success. They once had a 31-year stretch with just one winning season. They made the World Series in 1950 and didn't return to the playoffs until 1976. From 1984 to 2006, they made one postseason appearance. The glorious stretch from 2007 to 2011 was quickly followed by nine consecutive non-winning seasons before their recent run of playoff appearances. Still, when you've established the chance to become the best team in franchise history, which is the case with the 2024 Phillies, the anticipation in a sports-obsessed city like Philadelphia only builds as a summer of baseball descends upon us.
The Phillies, of course, came close to winning it all the past two seasons -- although they have been more of a very good team than a great one. They won 87 games in 2022 and 90 in 2023 and upset the rival Braves in the division series both years, only to lose the World Series to the Astros in 2022 and then a National League Championship Series they should have won against the Diamondbacks last season.
When a team falls just short in the postseason in consecutive years, facing the grind of another 162-game season can turn into a test of mental fortitude. All you want is to return to the excitement and intensity of October baseball, and instead you're playing the White Sox in April in a half-empty stadium. The Phillies, though, have roared out of the gate -- unlike either of the past two seasons -- and are on pace for a 100-win season, accomplished in only the Mike Schmidt/Steve Carlton years of 1976 and 1977 and in 2011 by the franchise-best 102-win team.
The focus has been there. The pitching has delivered. Bryce Harper has been doing Bryce Harper stuff. But it also takes some emerging players to get off to this kind of start. With the Phillies hosting the Cardinals on "Sunday Night Baseball," let's look at some of the breakout players who have helped the Phillies go from good to great.