Phillies GOAT - Bullpen

The single greatest bullpen season in Phillies history was authored by Brad Lidge in 2008. In 72 games and 69.1 innings, he allowed just 50 hits and struck out 92. He was a perfect 41 for 41 in save opportunities and finished the season with a 1.95 ERA. In the playoffs and World Series, he saved 5 more games and had an ERA of 0.00.

But this list isn't about single seasons. It's about sustained success. So here are 5 relievers who usually pitched more than an inning (nearly unheard of today) per game with success for 4 or more seasons.

Gene Garber pitched in 250 games over 5 seasons from 1974 to 1978. He threw 392.2 innings with a WHIP of 1.15 and a 2.68 ERA and 51 saves.

Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw was the beloved closer on the 1980 World Championship team. He logged 10 years with the Phillies and finished with 94 saves. In 463 games, he pitched 722 innings with an ERA of 3.10 and a WHIP of 1.198.

Ron Reed finished with 90 saves in his 8 years with the Phillies. From 1976 to 1983, he threw 809 innings over 458 games. His Phillies ERA was 3.06 and his WHIP was 1.252.

Jack Baldschun pitched in 333 games for the Phillies from 1961 to 1965. In 543.1 innings, he allowed just 497 hits and struck out 420, but he also walked 280. I think that's known as being effectively wild. His Phillies ERA was 3.18 and he was credited with 59 saves.

Steve Bedrosian won a Cy Young Award as the Phillies closer in 1987, when he saved 40 games to go along with a 5-3 record and a 2.83 ERA. In his Phillies career, he was summoned in 218 games and pitched 287.1 innings. He struck out 241 and had an ERA of 3.29.

Jim Konstanty was the closer for the 1950 National League champs, but his numbers were really nothing special. In 7 seasons and 314 games, he had a 3.64 ERA and a WHIP of 1.294. He won 51 games and saved 54 while striking out 205 in 675 innings. He's on the second team.

Lidge gets the single season nod but he was inconsistent in his Phillies career. He was never the same after hurting his knee in the 2008 World Series celebration pileup. His 2009 numbers were scary bad. But the photo above of Lidge is one of the most iconic in team history. So there's that.

Jonathan Papelbon is the franchise all-time saves leader, but aside from being a Hall of Fame asshat, he usually only pitched an inning. Jose Mesa and Mitch Williams are second and fourth on the list, but they were anxiety inducers with too many blown saves and 1-inning outings.