You have to spend money to make money, and in Major League Baseball, you also have to spend money to win trophies. Just ask the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phils ended a 28-year World Series drought in 2008 with a mix of homegrown stars and veteran additions. The experienced squad took down the Tampa Bay Rays for its second ever title and kept its core together for years to come.
Even after signing Bryce Harper to a record-breaking 13-year, $330 million contract in 2019, some of the highest-paid players in Phillies history come from that 2008 roster. But which one made the most while calling Citizen Bank Park home? Here are the top five in team history based on how much they earned during their time in Philadelphia (via Spotrac):
5. Jimmy Rollins
The 2007 NL MVP comes in at No. 5 on this list.
Rollins spent 15 years with the Phillies and made a grand total of just under $88 million during that span. In 2009, he made just over $7 million while earning a Gold Glove Award at shortstop. His two biggest paydays came when he signed a five-year, $40 million deal in 2005 and a three-year, $33 million deal in 2011.
J-Roll left the franchise after the 2014 season and remains one of the most respected players in Phillies history.
4. Cole Hamels
Hamels was a workhorse in 2008 and cashed in big time in 2012.
The lefty starter got Game 1 and Game 5 nods for the Phillies in the 2008 World Series, picking up the win in the first, tossing a quality start in what turned out to be the series clincher and taking home MVP honors for the series.
He was named an All-Star back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012 and signed a monster six-year, $144 million extension midway through the latter season. The Phillies traded Hamels to the Texas Rangers at the 2015 trade deadline, bringing his total earnings with the Phils to $103,416,345. In all, Hamels’ career earnings are $203,443,666.
3. Chase Utley
If it’s a list with “all time” and “Phillies,” Utley is almost certain to be on it.
The franchise second baseman made $119,278,257 in his 13 seasons with the Phillies, picking up six All-Star appearances and four Silver Sluggers along the way.
Drafted by the Phillies in the first round back in 2000, Utley didn’t get his first major deal until 2007, when he inked a seven-year, $85 million contract. It took him just two seasons to make it a steal for the Phillies as he anchored the lineup and infield during their championship run.
Utley played his final four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and brought his career earnings over $131 million.
2. Cliff Lee
Lee is the lone player on this list who did not win a ring with the Phillies.
The lefty got close after being dealt to the team ahead of the 2009 trade deadline, but the New York Yankees came out on top in that year’s Fall Classic. After spending the 2010 season in the NL West, splitting time between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, Lee signed a five-year, $120 million deal with the Phillies. He went on to reach two All-Star Games over the next three years.
Lee didn’t pitch in 2015 and announced his retirement in 2016 after making $121,100,000 in all from the Phillies and $143,699,100 in his career.
1. Ryan Howard
The slugging first baseman takes the throne as the highest-paid player in Phillies history.
Howard won the 2006 NL MVP Award after leading the majors with 58 homers and 149 RBIs. He led in both categories again in the 2008 World Series season, clobbering 48 long balls and driving in 146 runs. He was also spectacular against the Rays, hitting three homers in the five-game gentleman’s sweep.
Howard got his largest payday in 2010 as he signed a five-year, $125 million extension with the Phils. He finished his big league career in 2016 and made a total of $190,771,780 over his 13 seasons in Philadelphia.
