The Reading Fightin Phils (also called the Reading Fightins) are a
Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...
team based in
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading ( ; ) is a city in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 95,112 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, fourth-most populous ...
, playing in the Northeast Division of the
Eastern League. The team plays their home games at
FirstEnergy Stadium. The Reading Fightin Phils were founded in 1967 as the Reading Phillies (commonly referred to as the R-Phils and sometimes Reading Phils) and they have been the Double-A affiliate of the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
since 1967. This affiliation is currently tied for the longest affiliation in Minor League Baseball. The Phillies bought the team outright in 2008. Many fans still refer to the team as the Reading Phillies or R-Phils.
The franchise has always been based in Reading and maintained its original name "Reading Phillies" from its establishment in 1967 through 2012. The Reading Fightin Phils are the oldest team in the Eastern League to play in their original and current city with the most seasons under their original name (Reading Phillies).
The Fightin Phils' stadium, FirstEnergy Stadium which was built in 1951 and was previously known as Reading Municipal Memorial Stadium, has been home to the Reading Fightin Phils since their establishment in 1967. The stadium seats 10,000 fans, and on July 3, 2007, the stadium celebrated their ten-millionth fan to attend a game.
The Fightin Phils won the Eastern League championship in 1968, 1973, and 1995, and were co-champions in 2001. The 1983 Phillies were recognized as one of the
100 greatest minor league teams of all time.
History of baseball in Reading
Early baseball in Reading (1858–1932)
Reading's first official baseball team, the Reading Athletic Club, formed in November 1858 and, for the next 15 years, played other local teams for unofficial championships and bragging rights.
The Reading Actives date their existence to 1874. After the National Agreement of 1883, which organized major and minor leagues, the Actives became a member of the
Interstate Association, one of the two original minor leagues. The Actives went 33–35 in 1883 against teams from
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg ( ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the seat of Dauphin County. With a population of 50,099 as of 2020, Harrisburg is the ninth-most populous city in Pennsylvania. It is the larger of the two pr ...
,
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County, New Jersey, Mercer County. It was the federal capital, capital of the United States from November 1 until D ...
,
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the List of municipalities in Delaware, most populous city in the U.S. state of Delaware. The city was built on the site of Fort Christina, the first Swedish colonization of the Americas, Swedish settlement in North America. It lie ...
,
Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville is a city and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,346 at the 2020 census, and is the principal city of the Pottsville, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city lies along the wes ...
, and
Camden, New Jersey
Camden is a City (New Jersey), city in Camden County, New Jersey, Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the Delaware Valley metropolitan region. The city was incorporated on February 13, 1828.Snyder, John P''The Story of ...
(which disbanded that July), finishing in third place before the league folded after the season.
In 1884 the Active Club became founding members of the
Eastern League of Professional Base Ball Clubs.
["A New Base-Ball League,"]
''New York Times,'' vol. 33, whole no. 10,089 (Jan. 5, 1884), pg. 1. The Actives played sporadically for the next 12 years.
The Reading Coal Heavers played in the
Atlantic League from 1897 until the league disbanded in mid-June 1900. During this time,
Lizzie Arlington became the first woman to play for a professional men's baseball team when she pitched the final inning of a game for the Coal Heavers. Baseball returned to Reading in 1907 when the
York White Roses
The York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team based in the city of York, Pennsylvania, US, that existed between 1894 and 1969.
History
Early years
The York White Roses began as members of the short-lived Keystone Associati ...
of the Class-B
Tri-State League relocated and became the Reading Pretzels. In 1911, the Pretzels finished with the best record in the league, but lost a best-of-seven postseason series to the team from Trenton. On June 14 of that season,
George "Jake" Northrop pitched the only perfect nine-inning game in Reading baseball history. The Tri-State League folded after the 1914 season, but the Pretzels were resurrected when the
Albany Senators of the
New York State League
The New York State League was an independent baseball league that played six seasons between 2007 and 2012 in New York State and the New York City metro area. Over 500 NYSL players have been signed by professional teams. Players from forty-eigh ...
relocated to Reading in August 1916. That league folded at the end of 1917 due to the first World War.
Beginning in 1919, Reading played in the Class-AAA
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...
with the
Reading Coal Barons. Several future major leaguers played for the Reading team, owned by the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
from May 1927 until the end of 1930, including shortstop
Bill Jurges and pitcher
Lon Warneke. In August 1929,
George Quellich set a professional baseball record that still stands today by collecting 15 hits in 15 consecutive at-bats.
Reading in the Eastern League (1933–1966)
Reading became home to the Class-A affiliate of the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
in the New York–Penn League (now the
Eastern League) in 1933. The
Reading Red Sox had a successful two-year run before the team moved to
Allentown Allentown may refer to:
Places
* Allentown, California, now called Toadtown, California
* Allentown, Georgia, a city in four counties in Georgia
* Allentown, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Tazewell County
* Allentown, New Jersey, a boroug ...
(this franchise is now defunct).
Five years later, Reading got another baseball franchise—this time, an unaffiliated team in the Class-B
Interstate League called the Reading Chicks, which lost the league title series to the
Lancaster ''Red Roses''. In 1941, the ''Chicks'' affiliated with the
Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...
as the ''Reading Brooks'', featuring future Dodger outfielder
Carl Furillo. The franchise folded after the '41 season, and Reading was without a team for 10 years.
In 1952, the
Wilkes-Barre Indians, an affiliate of the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
relocated to Reading to become the
Reading Indians. The Reading Indians played at Municipal Memorial Stadium for the next decade, capturing the league title in 1957. Several Indians went on to successful major-league careers, including
Rocky Colavito and
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris (born Maras; September 10, 1934 – December 14, 1985) was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is best known for setting a new List of Major League Baseball p ...
. The Reading Indians franchise relocated to
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in West Virginia, most populous city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is the county seat of Kanawha County, West Virginia, Kanawha County and ...
in 1961 to become the
Charleston Indians, Reading was without professional baseball for that year.
For the 1962 season, the
Williamsport Grays
The Williamsport Grays were a minor league baseball team in Williamsport, Pennsylvania between 1923 and 1962. The club began play in 1923 in the New York–Pennsylvania League and were a charter member of the Eastern League in 1938. The team wa ...
moved to Reading and became the second
Reading Red Sox team, serving as a
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
affiliate for two years, owned by
Joe Buzas. The new Reading Red Sox relocated to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is the most populous city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Pittsfi ...
, and were renamed
Pittsfield Red Sox (this Eastern League franchise was later the
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats were a minor league baseball team that competed in the Eastern League (1938–2020), Eastern League. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox for 12 years, the Minnesota Twins for 20 years and the Colorado ...
and is now the
Hartford Yard Goats).
The Cleveland Indians relocated the Charleston Indians back to Reading after the Reading Red Sox relocated to Pittsfield, the Charleston Indians was once again known as the Reading Indians for one more year before relocating again. Reading was without a baseball team in 1966 before a new Eastern League expansion franchise was established in Reading in 1967 which became known as the Reading Phillies.
Reading Phillies/Reading Fightin Phils (1967–present)
The Reading Phillies debuted at Municipal Stadium on April 22, 1967, against the
York White Roses
The York White Roses was the name of a minor league baseball team based in the city of York, Pennsylvania, US, that existed between 1894 and 1969.
History
Early years
The York White Roses began as members of the short-lived Keystone Associati ...
.
The Fightin Phils' affiliation with the ''Big Phils'' has lasted unbroken since 1967. The Reading Fightin Phils' relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies was solidified even further when the Philadelphia Phillies purchased the then "Reading Phillies" in 2008. With the end of the 53-year relationship between the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
and their rookie-league team in
Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is a city in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 9,658 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Bluefield micropolitan area extending into Virginia, which had a populatio ...
, after the 2010 season, the Reading/Philadelphia partnership became the longest current affiliation in Minor League Baseball (tied with the
Lakeland/Detroit affiliation).
On November 4, 2012, news broke that the Reading Phillies would be changing their name. On November 17, 2012, the team announced that its new name would be the Reading Fightin Phils.
In conjunction with
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the team was organized into the
Double-A Northeast.
In 2022, the Double-A Northeast became known as the Eastern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.
Logos and uniforms
The team colors of the Reading Fightin Phils are Phillies red, nighttime navy, cream, and white. Their logo consists of a white and gray ostrich outlined in blue with flesh-colored beak and legs putting up his fists in a fighting stance, with the red block "READING" and blue script "Fightin Phils" wordmark right above it. There is also an alternate logo with said ostrich's upper body in a blue circle outlined in red, surrounded by a red burst and "READING" and "PENNSYLVANIA" tilted near the top and bottom, respectively.
The Fightin Phils' home uniforms resemble those of their Philadelphia parent. The caps are navy blue, and feature either a red feathered "R", or the aforementioned ostrich logo without the wordmarks. The home jerseys are cream and have traditional red pinstripes, but are given a faux-flannel look to the design. In the center is the red "Fightin Phils" wordmark with the player's number in red right below it. On the left sleeve is the aforementioned circular alternate logo, with the parent Phillies' red "P" logo on the right sleeve.
The Fightin Phils' road uniforms, on the other hand, carry an almost completely different visual identity. That identity's primary logo (officially an alternate for the team) consists of a hot dog named "Bunbino" inside a bun with muscular arms and wearing a blue baseball cap, a white jersey with pinstripes, yellow wristbands, and a mustard "B" on the chest. In his right arm, Bunbino squeezes a mustard bottle to form a mustard circle inside the surrounding sky blue circle. Inside the mustard circle but surrounding Bunbino, are the words "READING" and "PENNSYLVANIA" as in the ostrich alternate logo, but in a different yellow font, separated by a mustard stain. The caps are sky blue with Bunbino from the aforementioned logo. Like the home white jersey, the road gray jersey is given a faux-flannel effect; it carries blue piping on the chest and sleeves with a mustard script "Baseballtown" wordmark outlined in sky blue and black, with the player's number in sky blue right below it. On the left sleeve is the aforementioned Bunbino primary logo, with the Phillies' "P" on the right sleeve again.
The Fightin Phils have two alternate uniforms, one home and one away. The home alternate cap is navy blue with a white feathered "F" with an ostrich fist serving as the middle stem. The home alternate jersey is navy blue with white undersleeves, carrying the white "Fightins" feathered script and the player's number in white below it; the ostrich is on the left sleeve and the Phillies "P" on the right. The alternate jersey for road and select home games is black with sky blue undersleeves, with the aforementioned "Baseballtown" wordmark on the chest, Bunbino on the left sleeve, and the Phillies "P" on the right. When this jersey is worn on the road, the Fightin Phils will wear a black cap with Bunbino; when at home they will wear a sky blue cap with the mustard "B".
Season-by-season records
* Championship seasons in bold
*1967: 70–69, manager
Frank Lucchesi, 6th in Eastern League, 3rd in West Division
*1968: 81–59, manager Frank Lucchesi, 2nd in EL
*1969: 81–59, manager
Bob Wellman, 2nd in EL
*1970: 78–63, manager
Andy Seminick, 2nd in EL
*1971: 72–67, manager
Nolan Campbell, 2nd in EL, 2nd in National Division
*1972: 70–69, manager
Jim Bunning
James Paul David Bunning (October 23, 1931 – May 26, 2017) was an American professional baseball pitcher and politician from Kentucky who served in both chambers of the United States Congress, a member of the United States House of Representati ...
, 5th in EL, 4th in South Division
*1973: 76–62, manager
Cal Emery, 2nd in EL, 1st in National Division, Won League Championship
*1974: 69–66, manager Bob Wellman, 4th in EL, 3rd in National Division
*1975: 84–53, manager Bob Wellman, 1st in EL
*1976: 54–82, managers Bob Wellman and
Granny Hamner (final 34 games), 7th in EL, 3rd in South Division
*1977: 63–57, manager
Lee Elia, 7th in EL, 3rd in Canadian/American Division
*1978: 79–57, manager Lee Elia, 2nd in EL
*1979: 77–61, manager
Jim Snyder, 2nd in EL
*1980: 78–61, manager
Ron Clark (baseball), T-2nd in EL, 2nd in South Division
*1981: 76–63, manager Ron Clark, 3rd in EL, 2nd in South Division
*1982: 63–75, manager
John Felske, 5th in EL, 3rd in South Division
*1983: 96–44, manager
Bill Dancy, 1st in EL
*1984: 56–83, manager Bill Dancy, 8th in EL
*1985: 58–79, manager
Tony Taylor, 8th in EL
*1986: 77–59, manager
George Culver, 1st in EL
*1987: 76–63, manager George Culver, 3rd in EL
*1988: 67–69, manager Bill Dancy, 5th in EL
*1989: 68–71, manager
Mike Hart, 4th in EL
*1990: 55–82, manager
Don McCormack, 8th in EL
*1991: 72–68, manager Don McCormack, 5th in EL
*1992: 61–77, manager Don McCormack, 6th in EL
*1993: 62–78, manager Don McCormack, 7th in EL
*1994: 58–82, manager Bill Dancy, 9th in EL, 4th in South Division
*1995: 73–69, manager Bill Dancy, T-3rd in EL, T-1st in South; Playoffs: Defeated
Trenton 3–0, Defeated
New Haven
New Haven is a city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. With a population of 135,081 as determined by the 2020 U.S. census, New Haven is the third largest city in Co ...
3–2, Won League Championship
*1996: 66–75, manager
Bill Robinson
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (born Luther Robinson; May 25, 1878 – November 25, 1949), was an American tap dancer, actor, and singer, the best known and the most highly paid black entertainer in the United States during the first half of the 20 ...
, T-7th in EL, 4th in South
*1997: 74–68, manager
Al LeBoeuf, 4th in EL, 3rd in South
*1998: 56–85, manager Al LeBoeuf, 10th in EL, 5th in South
*1999: 73–69, manager
Gary Varsho, 3rd in EL, 5th in South
*2000: 85–57, manager Gary Varsho, 1st in EL, 1st in South; Playoffs: Defeated
Harrisburg
Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...
3–0, lost to
New Haven
New Haven is a city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. With a population of 135,081 as determined by the 2020 U.S. census, New Haven is the third largest city in Co ...
3–1
*2001: 77–65, manager Gary Varsho, T-4th in EL, 2nd in South; Playoffs: Defeated
Erie 3–1 in semifinals, Declared league co-champions with
New Britain
New Britain () is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago, part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from New Guinea by a northwest corner of the Solomon Sea (or with an island hop of Umboi Island, Umboi the Dampie ...
when championship series was canceled due to the
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing the first two into ...
*2002: 76–66, manager
Greg Legg, 4th in EL, 3rd in South
*2003: 62–79, manager Greg Legg, 10th in EL, 5th in South
*2004: 64–77, manager Greg Legg, 9th in EL, 4th in South
*2005: 69–73, manager
Steve Swisher, 8th in EL, 4th in South
*2006: 71–69, manager
P. J. Forbes, 5th in EL, 3rd in South
*2007: 70–71, manager P. J. Forbes, 7th in EL, 5th in South
*2008: 53–89, manager P. J. Forbes, 12th in EL, 6th in South
*2009: 75–67, manager
Steve Roadcap, 3rd in EL, 2nd in South; Playoffs: Lost to
Akron
Akron () is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the fifth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 190,469 at the 2020 census. The Akron metropolitan area, covering Summit and Portage counties, had ...
3–0 in semifinals
*2010: 69–72, manager
Steve Roadcap, 8th in EL, 4th in East
*2011: 74–68, manager
Mark Parent (baseball), 5th in EL, 2nd in East; Playoffs: Lost to
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3–1 in semifinals
*2012: 76–66, manager
Dusty Wathan, 4th in EL, 2nd in East; Playoffs: Lost to
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
From 1994 to 2020, it was a Minor League Baseball team of the D ...
3–1 in semifinals
*2013: 62–80, manager
Dusty Wathan, 12th in EL, 6th in East
*2014: 66–76, manager
Dusty Wathan, 10th in EL, 6th in East
*2015: 80–61, manager
Dusty Wathan, 1st in EL, 1st in East; Playoffs: Defeated
Binghamton Mets 3–0 in semifinals, Lost to
Bowie Baysox 3–2 in League Championship
*2016: 89–52, manager
Dusty Wathan, 1st in EL, 1st in East; Playoffs: Lost to
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
From 1994 to 2020, it was a Minor League Baseball team of the D ...
3–1 in semifinals
*2017: 72–68, manager
Greg Legg, T-4th in EL, 3rd in East
*2018: 64–73, manager
Greg Legg, 8th in EL, 4th in East
*2019: 80–59, manager Shawn Williams, 1st in EL, 1st in East; Playoffs: Lost to
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Trenton, New Jersey, and play their home games at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
From 1994 to 2020, it was a Minor League Baseball team of the D ...
3–0 in semifinals.
*2020: MILB season was canceled as the MLB decided not to provide players for the minor leagues in light of COVID-19
*2021: 48–65, manager Shawn Williams, 10th in Double-A Northeast, 5th in Northeast
*2022: 61–77, manager Shawn Williams, 9th in EL, 4th in Northeast
*2023: 59–77, manager Al Pedrique, T-10th in EL, 5th in Northeast
*2024: 59–78, manager Al Pedrique, 11th in EL, 5th in Northeast
Roster
Notable alumni

*
Larry Bowa,
SS,
Philadelphia
Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
(1970–81),
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
(1982–85),
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
(1985), played in 155 games for Reading in 1967–68
*
Greg Luzinski,
OF, Philadelphia (1970–80),
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
(1981–84), played in 141 games for Reading in 1970
*
Bob Boone,
C, Philadelphia (1972–81),
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
(1982–88),
Kansas City
The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more t ...
(1989–90), played in 112 games for Reading in 1970–71
*
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Schmidt was a 12-time Al ...
,
3B, Philadelphia (1972–89), played in 74 games for Reading in 1971
*
Willie Hernández, P, Chicago Cubs (1977–83), Philadelphia (1983),
Detroit
Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
(1984–89), played for Reading in 1975
*
George Bell,
LF/OF,
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
(1981; 1983–90), Chicago Cubs (1991), Chicago White Sox (1992–93), played in 22 games for Reading in 1980
*
Mark Davis, P, Philadelphia (1980–81; 1993),
San Francisco
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
(1983–87),
San Diego
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
(1987–89; 1993–94), Kansas City (1990–92),
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
(1992),
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
(1997), played in 28 games for Reading in 1980
*
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18, 1959), nicknamed "Ryno", is an American former professional baseball player, coach (baseball), coach, and manager (baseball), manager. He played sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second bas ...
,
2B, Philadelphia (1981), Chicago Cubs (1982–97), played in 129 games (as an SS) for Reading in 1980
*
Julio Franco, SS/2B, Philadelphia (1982),
Cleveland
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...
(1983–88; 1996–97),
Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
(1989–93), Chicago White Sox (1994), Milwaukee (1997),
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. The largest freshwater i ...
(1999), Atlanta (2001–05; 2007), New York Mets (2006–07), played 139 games for Reading in 1981
*
Darren Daulton
Darren Arthur Daulton (January 3, 1962 – August 6, 2017), nicknamed "Dutch", was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (, –) and Miami Marlins, Florida Marlins (199 ...
, C, for Philadelphia (1983; 1985–97),
Florida
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
(1997), played in 113 games for Reading in 1983 (and in one rehab game in 1991)
*
Juan Samuel, 2B, Philadelphia (1983–89), New York Mets (1989),
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
(1990–92), Kansas City (1992; 1995),
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
(1993), Detroit (1994–95), Toronto (1996–98), played in 47 games for Reading in 1983
*
Mickey Morandini, 2B, Philadelphia (1990–97; 2000), Chicago Cubs (1998–99), Toronto (2000), played in 48 games for Reading in 1989
*
Mike Lieberthal, C, Philadelphia (1994–2006), Los Angeles Dodgers (2007), Gold Glove-winning All Star, played in 86 games for Reading in 1992 (and in 2 rehab games in 2006)
*
Scott Rolen, 3B, Philadelphia (1996–2002),
St. Louis
St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...
(2002–07),
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
(2008–09),
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
(2009–12) played in 81 games for Reading in 1995–96.
*
Randy Wolf, P, Philadelphia (1999–2006),
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
(2007; 2009),
San Diego
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
(2008),
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...
(2010–12),
Baltimore
Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...
(2012),
Miami
Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...
(2014),
Detroit
Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
(2015), played in four games for Reading in 1998 (and in a total of five rehab games)
*
Pat Burrell, LF, Philadelphia (2000–08),
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. The largest freshwater i ...
(2009–10),
San Francisco
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
(2010), played in 117 games for Reading in 1999 (and in 4 rehab games in 2004)
*
Jimmy Rollins
James Calvin Rollins (born November 27, 1978), nicknamed "J-Roll", is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (–), Los Angeles Dodgers (), and Chicago White S ...
, SS, Philadelphia (2000–14), Los Angeles Dodgers (2015), Chicago White Sox (2016), played in 133 games for Reading in 1999
*
Nick Punto, 2B/SS, Philadelphia (2001–03),
Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
(2004–10), St. Louis Cardinals (2011), Boston (2012), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012–13), Oakland (2014), played in 121 games for Reading in 2000
*
Geoff Geary, P, Philadelphia (2003–07),
Houston
Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...
(2008–09), played in 51 games for Reading in 2000–01 (and in one rehab game in 2005)
*
Marlon Byrd
Marlon Jerrard Byrd (born August 30, 1977) is an Americans, American former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers, ...
,
CF, Philadelphia (2000–05; 2014),
Washington (2005–06), Texas (2007–09), Chicago Cubs (2010–12), Boston (2012), New York Mets (2013), Pittsburgh (2013), Cincinnati (2015), San Francisco (2015), Cleveland (2016), played in 137 games for Reading in 2001 (and in 3 rehab games in 2003)
*
Brett Myers, P, Philadelphia (2002–09), Houston (2010–12), Chicago White Sox (2012), Cleveland (2013), played in 26 games for Reading in 2001
*
Carlos Silva, P, Philadelphia (2002–03), Minnesota (2004–07), Seattle (2008–09), Chicago Cubs (2010), played in 28 games for Reading in 2001 (and 2 rehab games in 2002)
*
Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia (2006–16), Los Angeles Dodgers (2016), Seattle (2017), played in 153 games for Reading in 2003–04 (and 2 rehab games in 2013).
*
Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia (2004–16), played 102 games for Reading in 2004
*
Michael Bourn, OF, Philadelphia (2006–07), Houston (2008–11), Atlanta (2011–12; 2015), Cleveland (2013–15), Arizona (2016), Baltimore (2016), played in 215 games for Reading in 2005–06
*
Gio González, P, Oakland (2008–11), Washington (2012–18), Milwaukee (2018–19), Chicago White Sox (2020–present), played in 27 games for Reading in 2005.
*
Lou Marson, C, Philadelphia (2008–09), Cleveland (2009–13), played in 94 games for Reading in 2008
*
Carlos Carrasco, P, Cleveland (2009–2020), New York Mets (2021–present), played in 34 games for Reading in 2007–08.
*
Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia (2010–15), played in 102 games for Reading in 2009–10.
*
Kyle Drabek, P, Toronto (2010–14), Chicago White Sox (2015), Arizona (2016), played in 15 games for Reading in 2009.
*
Michael Schwimer, P, Philadelphia (2011–12), played in 37 games for Reading in 2009–10.
*
Aaron Nola, P, Philadelphia (2015–present), played in 17 games for Reading in 2014–2015.
*
Rhys Hoskins, OF/1B, Philadelphia (2017–present), played in 135 games for Reading in 2016.
*
Scott Kingery, 2B/CF, Philadelphia (2018–present), played in 106 games for Reading in 2016–2017 (and 3 rehab games in 2019).
*
Darin Ruf, DH, Philadelphia Phillies (2012-2016), played in 139 games for Reading in 2012.
See also
*
Sports in Philadelphia
References
Sources
Baseballtown History Book – Reading Fightins.
External links
Reading Fightins official website
{{Reading, Pennsylvania
Eastern League (1938–present) teams
Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates
Professional baseball teams in Pennsylvania
Sports in Reading, Pennsylvania
Baseball teams established in 1967
1967 establishments in Pennsylvania
Double-A Northeast teams