Like most major league franchises, the Phillies, have had a proud number of players who served in the U.S. military, particularly during World War II, the Korean War, and, the Vietnam era. Here is a list of Phillies players who served their country with time in the military. The list is in no way a complete and total list and we apologize for any omissions.

As the son of a World War II Navy veteran, I believe saluting our military members, past and present, is part of being an American. Thanks for your service, Ralph Hixson.

I would personally like to extend a Thank You to anyone reading this who has served in the military, and also to their families.

As a note, this post is in no way a political commentary. It is meant simply to salute members of the Phillies family who have served their country.

Phillies Players Who Served in the Military

  • Richie Ashburn – The Hall of Fame outfielder served in the U.S. Army near the end of World War II before beginning his professional career with the Phillies organization.
  • Robin Roberts – The ace right-hander and future Hall of Famer served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II before attending Michigan State and joining the Phillies.
  • Curt Simmons – Simmons, a left-handed starter and key member of the 1950 Whiz Kids, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He missed the end of the 1950 season and the World Series due to active duty.
  • Del Ennis – The hard-hitting outfielder served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before resuming his baseball career and becoming a Phillies mainstay of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
  • Granny Hamner – The shortstop and leader of the 1950 Whiz Kids spent time in the U.S. Navy late in World War II before returning to baseball.
  • Schoolboy Rowe – A right-handed pitcher who appeared with the Phillies later in his career, Rowe served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Danny Murtaugh – Though better known as a Pirates manager, Murtaugh spent a brief stint as a Phillies infielder and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
  • Chet Covington – A pitcher who appeared briefly with the Phillies in 1944, Covington served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
  • Ken Raffensberger – A lefty who pitched for the Phillies in the 1940s, Raffensberger served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Johnny Wyrostek – Outfielder with the Phillies in the early 1940s; served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Garry Maddox – The slick-fielding center fielder and 1980 World Series champion served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War before joining the Giants and later the Phillies. His time in the military deeply shaped his character and life after baseball.
  • Johnny Podres – While best known for his years with Brooklyn, Podres, who later pitched briefly for the Phillies, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Ben Chapman – Managed the Phillies from 1945 to 1948; as a player, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Bucky Walters – A key Phillies pitcher and eventual Reds star, Walters served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Gene Conley – Though best known as a two-sport athlete (baseball and basketball), Conley, who pitched briefly for the Phillies in 1963, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era.
  • Claude Passeau – A Phillies pitcher in the 1930s who later became a Cubs star, Passeau served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Ralph LaPointe – Infielder with the Phillies in 1948 who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Eddie Waitkus – The inspiration for The Natural and a key member of the 1950 Phillies, Waitkus served in the U.S. Army during World War II and saw combat in the Pacific.
  • Andy Seminick – Catcher and leader of the Whiz Kids, Seminick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Dick Sisler – Outfielder and first baseman best known for his pennant-clinching homer in 1950, Sisler served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Johnny Blatnik – Outfielder for the late 1940s Phillies who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
  • Hugh Mulcahy – A pre-war Phillies pitcher nicknamed “Losing Pitcher” Mulcahy, he became the first active major leaguer drafted into military service during World War II, serving four years in the U.S. Army.