The Philadelphia Phillies will be honoring three historic Hall of Famers by retiring their jersey numbers at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, May 1st.
Phillies to honor legendary Hall of Famers
The trio of Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, and Sam Thompson were a part of the only ever MLB Outfield where three players hit above .400 back in 1894, all of them surpassing the mark.
Delahanty became the first player in league history to accomplish this staggering feat on three separate occasions and still maintains the eighth-highest batting average of all time, while Hamilton’s 198 runs accrued in 1894 has still never been surpassed. Neither have Thompson’s career 0.923 RBI’s per game in a single season, or 61 RBI’s in a single month.
The three players did not play in an era where jersey numbers were worn, so will instead have their uniform crests added to the numbers featured on the iconic brick wall behind centerfield (Ashburn Valley, as well as on the retired number disks featured in the left field plaza.
“We have an incredible storied history, and as we celebrate our 142nd birthday, we are proud to immortalize these early legends who were inducted into the esteemed National Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Phillies Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer John Middleton, via press release. “Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton and Sam Thompson were baseball superstars, and it is only fitting that they be recognized among the Phillies’ greatest on our retired numbers wall, where they will forever be remembered as the three who paved the way for our franchise.”
It’s great to see the Phillies honoring three players who were instrumental in their early years, and this will hopefully encourage younger fans to learn more about the heritage of one of the most historic franchises in all of Baseball.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
