Ranking the Phillies franchise’s top five second basemen in history

The Phillies have produced a number of outstanding second basemen. Which players rank among the team's top five all-time second basemen?

Benjamin Sue December 26, 2023

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4: Dave Cash

Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Dave Cash had a brief yet impactful tenure with the Phillies from 1974 to 1976. Despite the limited duration, these years proved to be successful for both Cash and the team. Throughout his Phillies stint, Cash boasted a slash line of .296/.348/.371, accumulated 608 hits, and scored 292 runs. Remarkably, he earned All-Star nods and MVP votes in each of the three years.

Cash’s consistency and availability were evident as he led the league in at-bats during those seasons. Among Phillies second basemen, Cash ranks eighth all-time with 11.2 fWAR, primarily attributed to his impressive 32.6 defensive rating according to FanGraphs.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ Dave Cash in action during an All-Star game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 23rd, 1974.

Unfortunately, the Phillies, led by Cash, only reached the playoffs once during his three-season tenure, facing a loss in the NLCS. The team’s record during this period was 267-219. In 1976, the Phillies achieved a notable 101-win season, securing second place in the league, narrowly trailing the Cincinnati Reds, the same team that eventually swept them in the NLCS.

Following the Phillies’ decision to grant him free agency after the 1976 season, Cash concluded the remaining four years of his career with the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres, though he did not secure another All-Star nod or MVP votes. While Cash’s time with the Phillies was brief, his three consecutive All-Star appearances and MVP candidacy solidify his status as an all-time great.