PhoulBallz.com

Thomas "Tully" Sparks was a pitcher with the Phillies in 1897, then again from 1903-1910. Sparks made his Major League debut with the Phillies, allowing 9 earned runs in 8 innings pitched, and didn't start another game with Philadelphia for more than five years. In the meantime, he saw stints with Pittsburgh, the New York Giants, the Boston Americans and Milwaukee. When Sparks rejoined the Phillies, he posted an unimpressive record of 11-15, which overshadowed his solid 2.72 ERA on the season. 1903 was the first of 7 straight seasons in which Sparks posted an ERA for the Phillies under 3.00. In 1904, Sparks' ERA improved, but his record slipped to a dismal 7-16. The following season, Sparks posted a winning record, going 14-11 and his 2.12 ERA was best on the team. In 1906, Sparks won 19 games with Philadelphia and threw a career high 6 shutouts, including one against Giants ace Christy Mathewson in late August. Also in 1906, Sparks completed 29 games in 37 starts. ...

Otto Knabe was the starting second baseman for the Phillies from 1907-1913. For seven seasons, Knabe teamed with shortstop Mickey Doolan as the team's double play combination. In an era where runs were at a premium, Knabe excelled at the art of preventing runners from advancing. Knabe once spoke to a reporter about his playing days and the occasionally rough, aggressive style he and Doolan perfected. "Doolan and I didn't specialize in mayhem, but anything went if the umpire wasn't watching. The Cardinals and Phillies used to have some grand battles." In one game, Cards player-manager Roger Bresnahan had been spiked by Phils third baseman Hans Lobart and instructed his players to go after Lobert in retaliation. Knabe spoke of that game, "Ennis Oakes, a Cardinal outfielder, took it upon himself to avenge his manager. Oakes got to first base this day and shouted to Doolan and me, "I'm coming down!" We told him to come ahead and he did. As ...

Earl Moore was a pitcher with the Phillies from 1908-1913. Early in his career, Moore spent five season playing for Cleveland, where he was a consistent winner. In 1903, he won 19 games and led the American League with a 1.77 ERA. Moore's nickname was "Crossfire", based on his sidearm delivery. In his first five years with Cleveland, Moore threw 15 shutouts. A foot injury caused Moore to miss much of the 1906 season. Moore was considered an after thought by many, after a demotion to the minors, but was signed by the Phillies in late 1908. Moore quickly paid off for the Phillies, as he shut out the Reds 5-0 and threw three consecutive complete games. He also threw 26 straight scoreless innings. In his first full season with our Phillies, Moore became the ace of the Phillies' staff, in 1909. That season, he threw 299 2/3 innings, and led the team with 18 wins and a 2.10 ERA. He also had four shut outs that season. Moore's 1910 season was the best of career. His reco...