(EDITOR’S NOTE - Jeff Moeller is a freelance writer who has done numerous stories for the Times News over the years. In addition to being a lifelong Phillies’ fan, Moeller has also covered the team for various newspapers during his writing career.)

By JEFF MOELLER

tnsports@tnonline.com

When you think about the greatest Phillies at each position over the last 50 years, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, and Ryan Howard are names that quickly come to mind.

Some of the players - like that trio - were among the best in all of baseball at their positions. Others might not have Hall of Fame credentials, but are still well remembered and appreciated by the Phillies’ faithful. They are also a group of players whose contributions during the last half century may have already been forgotten.

Here is one man’s perspective of the top three Phillies at each position since 1970 based on statistics and contributions. As an added feature, I’ve added players at each position whose impact might have been forgotten because their time with the Phillies was short, or the teams they played on were bad, or because they were overshadowed by some of their teammates:

FIRST BASE

The Best

1. Ryan Howard, 2. John Kruk,

3. Pete Rose

Howard is only one of three major leaguers who won the Rookie of the Year and then the Most Valuable Player the following season. He arguably was baseball’s best slugger from 2006-09 when he averaged 50 homers a season during a historic run.

Kruk didn’t have the power of some of his peers, but he hit .309 during his six-year stay and was a cartoonlike figure as a leader of the ragged ’93 team. Rose’s presence certainly brought character and stability, and he hit .291 over his five-year junket.

The Forgotten

Deron Johnson, Jim Thome

Johnson was the team’s cleanup hitter for four seasons during some dreadful years in the early 70s, and Thome had 96 homers over three seasons before Howard’s emergence.

SECOND BASE

The Best

1. Chase Utley, 2. Juan Samuel,

3. Manny Trillo

There are some interesting candidates here. Utley was a six-time, clutch All-Star who hit 233 homers in pinstripes and was revered for his demeanor and presence and holds most of the records at his position. Utley’s seven World Series homers are still a record for a second baseman. Before Utley, Samuel was viewed in the same vein for his power and speed. He would score nearly 100 runs and knock in as many runs annually. Trillo was a key acquisition toward the ’80 title and amassed three Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards, and three All-Star appearances in four seasons.

The Forgotten

Tony Taylor, Dave Cash,

Mickey Morandini

Taylor was a mainstay through the sixties and early 70s, holding nearly every record at second until Utley. He remains second behind Utley for most hits as a second baseman. Cash was a hit machine in the mid-70s, and the catalyst for the late 70s run, as well as for his “Yes We Can” slogan. Morandini was as steady as they came in the 1990s.

SHORTSTOP

The Best

1. Jimmy Rollins, 2. Larry Bowa,

3. Kevin Stocker

One can make an argument here for either Rollins or Bowa based on emotional effect and route taken, but Rollins clearly has the statistical advantage. Rollins had the higher profile being a second-round pick, while Bowa was a free agent. Rollins had three Gold Gloves, a league MVP, and 170 homers in his pocket. Bowa was the gritty slick-fielding, five-time All-Star punch-hitter who was a leader on the 1980 championship squad. Stocker was a rookie on the 1993 World Series team and had a steady bat and weak glove over five seasons.

The Forgotten

Ivan DeJesus, Dickie Thon

DeJesus was the player traded from Chicago for Ryne Sandberg. DeJesus was an average hitter in three seasons, but he logged better than 140 games each season. Thon had more power, and he registered more than 135 games annually over three years.

THIRD BASE

The Best

1. Mike Schmidt, 2. Scott Rolen,

3. Placido Polanco

With Schmidt, enough said. He developed into the complete package and ended with 548 career homers. Rolen was viewed as Schmidt’s heir, especially after his 1996 Rookie of the Year award, yet he never quite lived up to the hype. Polanco moved to third to make room for Utley and was a consistent bat and glove in the lineup in his two stints with the club.

The Forgotten

Dave Hollins, Don Money

Hollins was the clean-up hitter on the ’93 team and a fixture in the early 90s. Money was a great fielder with a mediocre bat for five seasons before Schmidt.

CATCHER

The Best

1. Darren Daulton, 2. Mike Lieberthal

3. Bob Boone/Carlos Ruiz

It is a tough call between Daulton and Lieberthal, weighing an emotional leader against an offensive machine. Daulton gets the slight edge due to his leadership and consistent bat over 15 seasons. Lieberthal is often unrecognized, but he is the leader in games played and six offensive categories. Boone, who won seven Gold Gloves, and “Chooch” had parallel careers as excellent handlers of pitchers and stable hitters.

The Forgotten

Tim McCarver, Mike Ryan

McCarver is best known as Steve Carlton’s catcher and was a timely pinch-hitter. Ryan was known for his defensive skills and his longevity with the club.

CENTER FIELD

The Best

1. Garry Maddox 2. Shane Victorino,

3. Lenny Dykstra

Maddox won seven Gold Gloves during his 12-year run, and he also was a constant doubles hitter who drove in runs. Victorino had a similar career from 2005-12 as he won three Gold Gloves and was an effective gap hitter. Dykstra had a banner year in 1993 when he led the league in runs, hits, and walks, and was a staple there from 1989 through 1996.

The Forgotten

Doug Glanville

He had a great glove and consistent bat, but Glanville played on some putrid teams over his six-year Phillies’ service.

RIGHTFIELD

The Best

1. Bobby Abreu, 2. Jayson Werth,

3. Von Hayes

It’s too early to place Bryce Harper here, and legends Johnny Callison, Gavvy Cavath, and Chuck Klein dominated before the era. Abreu hit .291 as an ideal No. 3 hitter and had a rocket arm. Werth had four productive seasons before he left for free agency in Washington. Hayes is recognized for his “five for one” deal from Cleveland, but he was a contact hitter with power who fielded well.

The Forgotten

Bake McBride

He hit .292 in five seasons and was known as a singles/doubles hitter who could run. McBride had his share of big moments in 1980.

LEFT FIELD

The Best

1. Greg Luzinski, 2. Pat Burrell,

3. Gary Matthews

If you look at numbers between Luzinski and Burrell, you could flip the order. However, “The Bull” grew into legendary folklore, especially after a four-year run from 1975-78 when he was among the top five in homers, RBIs, doubles, and on-base percentage. Burrell was a NO. 1 overall draft pick and didn’t fall into favor initially, but he finished fourth on the team’s all-time homer list with 251. He was instrumental in the 2008 championship. Matthews only had a three-year career with the Phils, yet “The Sarge” captured the 1983 NLCS MVP and made his mark.

The Forgotten

Raul Ibanez

He was a hit machine for three seasons and everyday fielder. He played a key part in the team’s three NL East titles and a pennant from 2009-11.

STARTING PITCHERS

The Best

1. Steve Carlton, 2. Cole Hamels,

3. Curt Schilling, 4. Shane Rawley, 5. John Denny

Carlton is the no-brainer here. What he did on some lousy teams is remarkable. Hamels and Schilling had blazed parallel paths, winning 114 and 101 games for the Phillies, respectively. Rawley is truly the lost gem as he won 57 games over five years, winning 17 games in 1987. Denny had 31 victories in four years with a Cy Young in 1983.

The Forgotten

Randy Wolf

The crafty lefty won 68 games in eight years, and had posted 48 of them (16 in 2003) from 1999-2006. Despite an ERA over 4.00, Wolf was a dependable starter.

RELIEVERS

The Best

1. Tug McGraw, 2. Steve Bedrosian,

3. Brad Lidge

Lidge has more saves (100) than McGraw (94) and Bedrosian (97 games). But McGraw was an important piece in the mid-70s, especially mentally and psychologically. Bedrosian won the Cy Young Award in 1987 and also won 19 games in three years. Lidge was virtually unhittable in 2008.

The Forgotten

Jonathan Papelbon

He is the Phillies’ all-time saves leader (123), which he accumulated over his four-year stop. Papelbon, though, isn’t always an instant thought as a reliever, as he failed to fully endear himself to the fans and media.