Events in Phillies history on November 9

  • 1998 – The Phillies traded right-hander Mark Leiter to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for left-hander Paul Spoljaric.
  • 2007 – Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley of the Phillies won their National League Silver Slugger Awards for the 2007 season.
  • 2021 – Bryce Harper, who was then playing right field, earned his second NL Hank Aaron Award.
  • 2023 – Bryce Harper was again honored, this time receiving the NL Silver Slugger Award for designated hitters. Harper was serving as a DH while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Phillies players/managers/executives born on November 9

  • Andy Carter (1968) – A left-handed relief pitcher who pitched in 20 games with the Phillies in 1994 and 4 games in 1995. His time with the Phillies was his only major league service time. He compiled a career 4.75 ERA.

A DEEPER DIVE… The Phillies and the Silver Slugger Award

Since the Silver Slugger Award was first introduced in 1980, a number of Phillies have earned the honor for being among the best offensive players at their position. The award, voted on by MLB managers and coaches, recognizes players for their hitting ability, and in several seasons, Philadelphia’s lineup has featured some of the game’s most productive bats.

The first Phillies player to take home a Silver Slugger was Mike Schmidt, who dominated the National League in the 1980s. Schmidt won the award six times, capturing it in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, and 1987. During his 1980 MVP season, he blasted 48 home runs and drove in 121 runs, leading the Phillies to their first World Series championship. Even in strike-shortened years like 1981, he remained a force, hitting .316 with 31 home runs in just 102 games. Schmidt’s combination of power and consistency made him one of the most feared hitters in the league and established a high standard for future Phillies to follow.

In the 1990s, catcher Darren Daulton and third baseman Dave Hollins helped revive the Phillies’ offensive presence. Daulton won his Silver Slugger in 1992 when he hit .270 with 27 home runs and a league-leading 109 RBI among catchers. His breakout season helped him become one of the most respected backstops in baseball. Hollins followed in 1993 with a strong campaign, batting .273 with 18 home runs and 93 RBI, helping power the Phillies to the National League pennant that year.

The early 2000s brought a new generation of offensive stars. Bobby Abreu became one of the most balanced hitters in franchise history, winning back-to-back Silver Sluggers in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, Abreu hit .301 with 30 homers, 105 RBI, and 40 stolen bases, showcasing rare all-around ability. His 2005 season was just as strong, as he reached base at a .405 clip and continued to be a steady force in right field.

The Phillies’ championship core of the late 2000s produced several more Silver Slugger winners. Chase Utley won four consecutive awards from 2006 to 2009, a testament to his dominance at second base. In 2006, he hit .309 with 32 home runs and 102 RBI, beginning a run where he was clearly the best offensive second baseman in the National League. Jimmy Rollins added one of his own in 2007, a year in which he won the MVP award after hitting .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBI, and 41 stolen bases. Ryan Howard, the team’s powerful first baseman, collected his Silver Slugger in 2006 when he smashed 58 home runs and drove in 149 runs, both league-leading totals that also earned him MVP honors.

More recently, J.T. Realmuto won the Silver Slugger as a catcher in 2019, hitting .275 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI while also providing elite defense. Bryce Harper joined the list in 2021, his MVP season, hitting .309 with 35 home runs and leading the majors in slugging percentage and OPS. He earned another Silver Slugger in 2023, this time as a designated hitter, after posting a .293 average with 21 homers and 72 RBI despite missing the season’s first month.

From Schmidt’s power in the ’80s to Harper’s star power today, the Phillies’ Silver Slugger winners represent more than just individual success—they mark eras when the team boasted some of the most dangerous hitters in the game.