Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008, 6:40 PM | 4 comments |
 

Lieberthal is coming home
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Mike Lieberthal spent 13 seasons in Philadelphia. He'll get at least one more day.

The Phillies announced yesterday the veteran catcher will retire as a member of the organization on June 1. Lieberthal spent last season as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers before announcing his retirement, but was a popular player in Philadelphia from 1994-2006. The No. 3 overall pick in the 1990 draft, Lieberthal broke into the big leagues in the wake of the Phillies' run to the World Series in 1993. Over the next 13 seasons, he hit .275 with 150 home runs and helped guide the franchise into its current era of success.

“Philadelphia has always been a second home to me, so I’m really looking forward to this,” said Lieberthal in a statement released by the Phillies.  “I spent half my life there and still follow the team closely on television.”

An All-Star in 1999 and 2000, Lieberthal holds the franchise record for most games caught at 1,139. In 1999, he became just the sixth catcher in major league history to hit .300 with 30 home runs. Lieberthal also set a Phillies record in 1999 for fielding percentage by a catcher (.997), committing just three errors in 946 total chances, en route to a Gold Glove Award.
Posted by David Murphy @ 6:40 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
4
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:37 PM, 04/28/2008
    Could everyone please promise not to boo him?
    — Jeffrey
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:30 AM, 04/29/2008
    I have years of terrific memories of watching Mike Lieberthal. He'll never be in the Hall of Fame, nor will he be remembered as the best Phillies catcher, but he did help to define an era of Philadelphia baseball in a positive way. I can't wait to see Mike get the send off that he deserves.
    — maximusud
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:29 AM, 04/29/2008
    It is funny, the exact "who cares about the fan" style of player that helped create a disassociation with the Phillies and their fans for 12 years will now be honored? That seems funny since the guy cared nothing for the fans and city (except for Manayunk nightlife)the entire time he was here but now that he has nothing he needs the attention.
    — rvb2321


4 comments
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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