Phillies Opening Day Right Fielders

According to the April 4th edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies have had 8 different fielders start the season in right field in the past 8 years. That can't be good.

2017 - Michael Saunders

Saunders is such a new Phillie that I haven't seen him on a Phillies card as yet. Saunders was an All-Star last year with a season BA of .253 with 24 home runs, a season high for him. The Phillies signed him as a free agent for $11M.

2016 - Peter Bourjos

Bourjos was only a Phillie for one year and I don't actually own any cards of him as a Phillie. He hit .251 for the Phillies in 2016 with 5 home runs. From a power standpoint, Saunders should be an improvement. The Phillies got Bourjos off waivers from the Cardinals and paid him $2M last year.

2015 - Grady Sizemore

Sizemore was in his second season with the Phillies. He was picked up by the Phillies in June 2014 after having been released by the Red Sox. He was released by the Phillies in June 2015.

2014 - Marlon Byrd

This was Byrd's second stint with the Phillies. He was their 10th round draft pick in 1999 and played for the Phillies from 2002-2005. He was a free agent signing for $8M. He hit .264 with 35 homer for the 2014 Phillies. He was traded to the Reds after the season.

2013 - John Mayberry Jr.

Mayberry was the Phillies #1 pick in 2005. He was a guy long on promise but short on delivery.  He hit .227 with 11 home runs in 2013. He was a great fielder but just couldn't hit well enough. 

2012 - Hunter Pence

Of all the right fielders in this list, Pence is the genuine article. He'd been the Astros 2nd round draft pick in 2004 and played for the Astros from 2007-2010. He was enjoyable to watch. I was sorry to see him leave Houston but happy to see him with the Phillies. The Phillies traded 4 players for Pence in 2011 and then traded him to the Giants for 3 players in 2015. In 155 games for the Phillies he hit .258 with 28 home runs.

2011 - Ben Francisco

Another good fielding, light hitting outfielder. He was a hold over from the 2009 Phillies World Series losing team.

2010 - Jayson Werth

Along with Pence, the biggest star of this group. Werth was an integral part of the 2008 World Champion 2008 Phillies team. In 2010 he hit .296 with 27 home runs. After the 2010 season he signed a $122M, 7-year contract with the Nationals. 

Ivan Rodriguez - 2017 Hall of Fame Class

I have 218 Ivan Rodriguez cards in my collection. Here's a selection of his cards that I own, one for each year of his career.

1991 Upper Deck Final Edition #55

1992 Topps #78

1993 Score Gold Dream Team #6

1994 Fleer All-Stars #22

1995 Leaf Great Gloves #16

1996 Ultra Prime Leather Gold #5

1997 Stadium Club #200

1998 Leaf State Representatives #21

1999 Crown Royal #140

2000 Upper Deck HoloGrFx #9

2001 Upper Deck UD’s Most Wanted #3

2002 Fleer Tradition This Day In History #30

2003 Topps 205 #10

2004 Upper Deck Power Up #39

2005 Topps Cracker Jack Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2006 Upper Deck 2006 World Baseball Classic #44

2007 Upper Deck Goudey Memorabilia #7

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter #78

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #80

Probably the first time in history that 2 players associated with the Astros were elected to the Hall of Fame at the same time.

2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out #48

2011 Topps Heritage #262