Ed Wade

Led by Wade, the Phillies went through a major rebuild, adopting the pledge to “Get good and stay good.” The team shed veteran players and opened opportunities for a younger core nucleus. Led by Scouting Directors Mike Arbuckle and Marti Wolever, the Phillies drafted and signed Brett Myers, Pat Burrell, future National League MVP Ryan Howard, [[Chase Utley]], 2008 World Series MVP [[Cole Hamels]] and Ryan Madson. Wade also promoted future N.L. MVP shortstop Jimmy Rollins from Triple A Scranton to the Major Leagues. The team also made an impactful international move in 2000 when it signed Panamanian catcher Carlos Ruiz. Wade also selected outfielder [[Shane Victorino]] from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft; Victorino would go on to star on World Series championship clubs in Philadelphia and Boston.

Led by Wade, the Phillies went through a major rebuild, adopting the pledge to “Get good and stay good.” The team shed veteran players and opened opportunities for a younger core nucleus. Led by Scouting Directors Mike Arbuckle and Marti Wolever, the Phillies drafted and signed Brett Myers, Pat Burrell, future National League MVP Ryan Howard, [[Chase Utley]], 2008 World Series MVP [[Cole Hamels]] and Ryan Madson. Wade also promoted future N.L. MVP shortstop Jimmy Rollins from Triple A Scranton to the Major Leagues. The team also made an impactful international move in 2000 when it signed Panamanian catcher Carlos Ruiz. Wade also selected outfielder [[Shane Victorino]] from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft; Victorino would go on to star on World Series championship clubs in Philadelphia and Boston.

Wade was also responsible for the trades of pitcher Curt Schilling and future Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen. On July 26, 2000, Wade traded Schilling to the Arizona Diamondbacks after Schilling’s frequent criticism of the Phillies lack of spending. In July 2002, Wade traded Rolen to the St. Louis Cardinals after Rolen rejected a 10-year, $140 million contract extension while questioning the team’s low payroll (at the time, the Phillies ranked in the bottom third of salaries in Major League Baseball) and commitment to winning.

Wade was also responsible for the trades of pitcher Curt Schilling and future Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen. On July 26, 2000, Wade traded Schilling to the Arizona Diamondbacks after Schilling’s frequent criticism of the Phillies lack of spending. In July 2002, Wade traded Rolen to the St. Louis Cardinals after Rolen rejected a 10-year, $140 million contract extension while questioning the team’s low payroll (at the time, the Phillies ranked in the bottom third of salaries in Major League Baseball) and commitment to winning.

During this period, Wade and the Phillies promised their fans and players that their economic commitment would improve when they completed the move from Veterans Stadium to Citizens Bank Park. On December 6, 2002, more than a year prior to the move to Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies signed free agent first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year, $85 million contract, fulfilling the team’s promise to its fans that spending would increase. While still committed to building a core nucleus from within, the Phillies continued to acquire other veteran players under Wade’s watch, including David Bell, [[Billy Wagner]], Kevin Millwood, Jon Lieber, Eric Milton and [[Kenny Lofton]].

During this period, Wade and the Phillies promised their fans and players that their economic commitment would improve when they completed the move from Veterans Stadium to Citizens Bank Park. On December 6, 2002, more than a year prior to the move to Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies signed free agent first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year, $85 million contract, fulfilling the team’s promise to its fans that spending would increase. While still committed to building a core nucleus from within, the Phillies continued to acquire other veteran players under Wade’s watch, including David Bell, [[Billy Wagner]], Kevin Millwood, Jon Lieber, Eric Milton and [[Kenny Lofton]].