Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies MVP seasons ranked from the good to the greatest

By Tim Boyle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 02: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts a replica plaque from Mike Schmidt, commemorating his franchise single season high, 58th home run hit in the 2006 season during a pre game ceremony in his honor before a game a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on October 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 02: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts a replica plaque from Mike Schmidt, commemorating his franchise single season high, 58th home run hit in the 2006 season during a pre game ceremony in his honor before a game a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on October 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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1) Phillies MVP Mike Schmidt 1981

The 1981 MLB season was a strange one for the Phillies. Coming off of their first-ever championship, games were lost mid-year due to a player’s strike. The Phillies ended up playing only 107 games but because of the decision to split the season, they were able to make the postseason because they finished the first half as the NL East leaders. A big reason for it: the performance of Schmidtty…or is it Shmitty?

Schmidt was well on his way to surpassing the monster numbers he posted in 1980. He wouldn’t get a chance but that doesn’t take away from the magic he did create in 1981.

In only 102 games played, Schmidt scored 78 runs, hit 31 home runs, drove in 91, walked 73 times, and boasted some other numbers that led the league. His .435 OBP, .644 slugging percentage, and 1.080 OPS all led the National League that season.

Schmidt also happened to do something he wasn’t known for. He actually hit for a good average. The season finished with Schmidt as the owner of a shiny .316 batting average. It didn’t lead the league. But thanks to his tremendous power, he had the best WAR among National League position players, concluding the year with a whopping 7.7 total in this statistic despite all of the missed games.

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Schmidt received all but three of the first-place votes and managed to capture his second MVP this season. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t get to see what he could have done with a full schedule. I don’t think this should take away from the performance.

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