The 1972 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 90th season in the history of the franchise, and the 2nd season for the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The team finished with a record of 59–97, last place in the National League East.
Offseason The Phils made perhaps one of the most significant trades in their history on February 25, when they traded Rick Wise to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Carlton. Both teams were engaged in difficult contract negotiations with each pitcher. Carlton went on to win four Cy Young Awards with the Phillies, and Wise continued a solid career. Carlton won his first Cy Young Award on the 1972 Phillies who won only 59 games. Carlton was 27–10 and the team was 30–85 when Carlton did not pitch. No pitcher in the twentieth century has won as high a proportion of his team's victories (45.8%). Carlton also led the N.L. in ERA (1.97), strikeouts (310), and innings pitched (346.1).
Notable transactions October 22, 1971: Lowell Palmer was purchased from the Phillies by the Chicago White Sox.Lowell Palmer at Baseball-Reference February 25, 1972: Rick Wise was traded by the Phillies to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Carlton.Steve Carlton at Baseball Reference March 1, 1972: Rubén Amaro was released by the Phillies.Ruben Amaro at Baseball Reference
Regular season During the season, Steve Carlton became the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in one season for the Phillies in the 20th century.Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p. 98, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York,
On July 10, manager Frank Lucchesi was fired with the team at 26–50. Paul Owens, who had been promoted from farm director to GM a month earlier, became manager as well.
The Padres came close to a no-hitter against the Phillies on July 18, 1972; Steve Arlin came within one out before a ninth-inning two-out single by Denny Doyle broke up the bid.Arlin misses no-hitter by a strike as ball bounces over Roberts' head
The Phillies had hosted the 1952 All-Star Game, played July 9, 1952 at Shibe Park. The American League won 3 to 2 in five innings; the first rain shortened All-Star Game. The Phillies held their promotional Old-Timers Game on August 19, 1972. The Phillies invited all of the players from the 1952 game back to Philadelphia to complete the last four innings prior to the regular game with the Houston Astros.
The Old-Timers began in the "sixth inning" with the Veterans Stadium scoreboard showing the National League ahead 3–2 after five innings. Bobby Thomson, Enos Slaughter, Pee Wee Reese, Gran Hamner, and Robin Roberts played for the National League Old-Timers. Shantz pitched the first inning of the exhibition for the American League, which appeared as the sixth inning on the scoreboard. Shantz yielded five runs, while the American League scored only a run to "complete" the game, with the National League widening their margin of victory to 8-3.
Mike Schmidt made his major league debut on September 12.Mike Schmidt at Baseball Reference
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions June 15, 1972: Andre Thornton and Joe Hoerner were traded by the Phillies to the Atlanta Braves for Jim Nash and Gary Neibauer.Andre Thornton at Baseball Reference August 2, 1972: Woodie Fryman was selected off waivers from the Phillies by the Detroit Tigers.Woodie Fryman at Baseball Reference
Draft picks June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball draft Tom Underwood was drafted by the Phillies in the 2nd round. Player signed August 27, 1972.Tom Underwood at Baseball-Reference June 6, 1972: Dan Boitano was drafted by the Phillies in the 1st round (17th pick) of the secondary phase, but did not sign.Dan Boitano at Baseball Reference
Game log Legend Phillies win Phillies loss PostponementBoldPhillies team member
|- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 7 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 8 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 9 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 10 || Expos || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 12 || Expos || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 14 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Cancelled (players' strike) |- style="background:#bfb" | 1 || April 15 || @ Cubs || 4–2 || Steve Carlton (1–0) || Bill Hands (0–1) || Joe Hoerner (1) || 17,401 || 1–0 |- style="background:#fbb" | 2 || April 16 || @ Cubs || 0–4 || Burt Hooton (1–0) || Dick Selma (0–1) || None || 9,583 || 1–1 |- style="background:#fbb" | 3 || April 17 || Cardinals || 4–5 || Al Santorini (1–1) || Joe Hoerner (0–1) || None || 38,182 || 1–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 4 || April 18 || Cardinals || 6–3 || Bill Champion (1–0) || Scipio Spinks (0–1) || Wayne Twitchell (1) || 5,311 || 2–2 |- style="background:#bfb" | 5 || April 19 || Cardinals || 1–0 || Steve Carlton (2–0) || Bob Gibson (0–1) || None || 8,184 || 3–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 6 || April 21 || Pirates || 2–3 (10) || Ramón Hernández (1–0) || Chris Short (0–1) || None || 13,864 || 3–3 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 22 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 29 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bfb" | 7 || April 23 || Pirates || 5–4 (11) || Bucky Brandon (1–0) || Bob Miller (0–1) || None || 43,438 || 4–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 8 || April 25 || @ Giants || 3–0 || Steve Carlton (3–0) || Juan Marichal (1–2) || None || 6,092 || 5–3 |- style="background:#fbb" | 9 || April 26 || @ Giants || 6–8 (10) || Jerry Johnson (1–0) || Bucky Brandon (1–1) || None || 4,139 || 5–4 |- style="background:#bfb" | 10 || April 27 || @ Giants || 7–6 || Wayne Twitchell (1–0) || Ron Bryant (0–1) || None || 3,671 || 6–4 |- style="background:#bfb" | 11 || April 28 || @ Padres || 3–0 || Woodie Fryman (1–0) || Clay Kirby (2–1) || None || 7,272 || 7–4 |- style="background:#fbb" | 12 || April 29 || @ Padres || 0–4 || Steve Arlin (1–3) || Steve Carlton (3–1) || None || 7,859 || 7–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 13 || April 30 (1) || @ Padres || 6–1 || Barry Lersch (1–0) || Bill Greif (1–3) || None || see 2nd game || 8–5 |- style="background:#bfb" | 14 || April 30 (2) || @ Padres || 3–1 || Bill Champion (2–0) || Mike Corkins (0–1) || None || 8,411 || 9–5
|- style="background:#bfb" | 15 || May 1 || @ Dodgers || 2–1 || Dick Selma (1–1) || Claude Osteen (2–1) || None || 15,015 || 10–5 |- style="background:#fbb" | 16 || May 2 || @ Dodgers || 6–7 || Jim Brewer (1–0) || Barry Lersch (1–1) || None || 14,770 || 10–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 17 || May 3 || @ Dodgers || 5–1 || Steve Carlton (4–1) || Bill Singer (2–2) || None || 14,314 || 11–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 18 || May 5 || Giants || 3–2 || Bill Champion (3–0) || Juan Marichal (1–4) || None || 22,161 || 12–6 |- style="background:#fbb" | 19 || May 6 || Giants || 1–3 || Sam McDowell (4–0) || Dick Selma (1–2) || None || 14,010 || 12–7 |- style="background:#bfb" | 20 || May 7 || Giants || 8–3 || Steve Carlton (5–1) || Ron Bryant (0–2) || None || 44,880 || 13–7 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 9 || Padres || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 7 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#fbb" | 21 || May 10 || Padres || 3–5 || Clay Kirby (3–1) || Woodie Fryman (1–1) || None || 7,601 || 13–8 |- style="background:#bfb" | 22 || May 11 || Padres || 6–5 (12) || Wayne Twitchell (2–0) || Gary Ross (0–1) || None || 9,224 || 14–8 |- style="background:#fbb" | 23 || May 12 || Dodgers || 1–6 || Don Sutton (5–0) || Dick Selma (1–3) || None || 24,205 || 14–9 |- style="background:#fbb" | 24 || May 13 || Dodgers || 1–3 || Claude Osteen (4–1) || Steve Carlton (5–2) || Jim Brewer (3) || 27,003 || 14–10 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 14 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: July 10 as a traditional double-header |- style="background:#bfb" | 25 || May 15 || Cubs || 4–0 || Woodie Fryman (2–1) || Ferguson Jenkins (3–3) || None || 8,133 || 15–10 |- style="background:#fbb" | 26 || May 16 || Cubs || 1–8 || Burt Hooton (3–3) || Bill Champion (3–1) || None || 12,326 || 15–11 |- style="background:#fbb" | 27 || May 17 || Cubs || 2–3 || Tom Phoebus (1–1) || Steve Carlton (5–3) || Dan McGinn (4) || 12,528 || 15–12 |- style="background:#fbb" | 28 || May 19 || Mets || 3–8 || Buzz Capra (3–1) || Dick Selma (1–4) || Danny Frisella (3) || 20,451 || 15–13 |- style="background:#fbb" | 29 || May 20 (1) || Mets || 1–3 || Jon Matlack (5–0) || Woodie Fryman (2–2) || None || see 2nd game || 15–14 |- style="background:#fbb" | 30 || May 20 (2) || Mets || 1–2 || Jerry Koosman (1–3) || Bill Champion (3–2) || Tug McGraw (7) || 36,691 || 15–15 |- style="background:#fbb" | 31 || May 21 || Mets || 3–4 || Tom Seaver (7–1) || Steve Carlton (5–4) || Danny Frisella (4) || 57,267 || 15–16 |- style="background:#fbb" | 32 || May 22 || @ Expos || 3–6 || Mike Torrez (4–1) || Barry Lersch (1–2) || None || 17,676 || 15–17 |- style="background:#fbb" | 33 || May 23 || @ Expos || 2–6 || Bill Stoneman (4–4) || Dick Selma (1–5) || None || 12,757 || 15–18 |- style="background:#fbb" | 34 || May 24 || @ Expos || 1–4 || Carl Morton (2–4) || Woodie Fryman (2–3) || None || 9,341 || 15–19 |- style="background:#fbb" | 35 || May 26 || @ Pirates || 4–6 || Nelson Briles (3–1) || Steve Carlton (5–5) || None || 25,164 || 15–20 |- style="background:#bfb" | 36 || May 27 || @ Pirates || 2–1 (12) || Bucky Brandon (2–1) || Dave Giusti (1–4) || Chris Short (1) || 19,398 || 16–20 |- style="background:#fbb" | 37 || May 28 || @ Pirates || 5–6 || Ramón Hernández (2–0) || Joe Hoerner (0–2) || None || 15,236 || 16–21 |- style="background:#fbb" | 38 || May 29 (1) || @ Pirates || 3–7 || Ramón Hernández (3–0) || Woodie Fryman (2–4) || None || see 2nd game || 16–22 |- style="background:#fbb" | 39 || May 29 (2) || @ Pirates || 2–4 || Bob Moose (3–2) || Ken Reynolds (0–1) || Dave Giusti (3) || 36,464 || 16–23 |- style="background:#fbb" | 40 || May 30 || @ Mets || 0–7 || Jon Matlack (6–0) || Steve Carlton (5–6) || None || 17,598 || 16–24 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || May 31 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: August 1 as a traditional double-header
|- style="background:#fbb" | 41 || June 1 || @ Mets || 1–6 || Jim McAndrew (4–1) || Dick Selma (1–6) || None || 16,850 || 16–25 |- style="background:#fbb" | 42 || June 2 || Reds || 3–6 (17) || Don Gullett (2–2) || Wayne Twitchell (2–1) || Pedro Borbón (4) || 16,251 || 16–26 |- style="background:#fbb" | 43 || June 3 || Reds || 5–6 (10) || Tom Hall (3–1) || Ken Reynolds (0–2) || None || 16,623 || 16–27 |- style="background:#fbb" | 44 || June 4 || Reds || 0–2 || Jack Billingham (3–6) || Bill Champion (3–3) || Clay Carroll (10) || 15,861 || 16–28 |- style="background:#fbb" | 45 || June 6 || Astros || 3–4 || Dave Roberts (4–3) || Woodie Fryman (2–5) || Fred Gladding (5) || 8,237 || 16–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 46 || June 7 || Astros || 3–1 || Steve Carlton (6–6) || Jerry Reuss (3–5) || Bucky Brandon (1) || 10,712 || 17–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 47 || June 8 || Astros || 7–2 || Bill Champion (4–3) || Larry Dierker (5–3) || Joe Hoerner (2) || 20,155 || 18–29 |- style="background:#bfb" | 48 || June 9 || Braves || 4–3 || Chris Short (1–1) || George Stone (0–4) || Joe Hoerner (3) || 17,082 || 19–29 |- style="background:#fbb" | 49 || June 10 || Braves || 3–15 || Tom Kelley (4–5) || Woodie Fryman (2–6) || None || 23,242 || 19–30 |- style="background:#bfb" | 50 || June 11 || Braves || 3–1 || Steve Carlton (7–6) || Ron Reed (4–7) || None || 32,468 || 20–30 |- style="background:#fbb" | 51 || June 13 (1) || @ Reds || 4–8 || Tom Hall (4–1) || Bill Champion (4–4) || Clay Carroll (12) || see 2nd game || 20–31 |- style="background:#fbb"