Ryan Howard is the fourth key member of the Phillies’ 2008 championship team to announce his retierment this year, along with Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Here is a look at the key members of that team, and how they careers have fared since. Only four players are still in the majors: Utley, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, and Ryan Madson.

Hamels was the 2008 World Series MVP. He signed a six-year contract with the Phillies in 2012 for $144 million, or about $7,300 per pitch based on his prior production. He threw a no-hitter against the Cubs last July in his final start for the Phillies before being traded to the Texas Rangers. Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs in July.

The Phillies closer was perfect in 2008, converting 48 saves in as many opportunities, and struck out Eric Hinske to end the World Series. The following season, Lidge posted a record of 0-8, with a 7.21 ERA and 11 blown saves. The Phillies released Lidge after the 2011 season. Lidge finished his career with the Washington Nationals in 2012.

Howard remained a productive hitter through 2011, clubbing 109 home runs and driving in 365 runs from 2009 through 2011. The Phillies signed him to a five-year, $125 million extension in 2010. Then Howard tore his left Achilles on the last play of the 2011 divisions series loss to the Cardinals, and his production declined sharply. The Phillies exercised a $10 million buyout of his contract after the 2016 season. Howard played in the minor leagues affiliates of the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies in 2017, and announced his retirement in September 2018.

“Chooch” hit .219 in 2008, but improved to .302 in 2010 and .325 in 2012. Ruiz served a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2013 season after testing positive for Adderall for a second time. The Phillies traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, and Ruiz spent the 2017 season with the Seattle Mariners. Ruiz has not played in the major leagues this year.

Utley hit 31 home runs in 2009, and made the All-Star team in 2009 and 2010. Chronic knee pain began limiting Utley's effectiveness, and he was batting .217 when he was traded to the Dodgers in August 2015. In the 2015 National League Division Series, Utley’s hard slide to break up a double play broke the leg of the Mets’ Ruben Tejeda. In July, Utley announced he would retire at the end of this season, and he was warmly greeted by Phillies fans during his last visit to Citizens Bank Park.

Rollins became the Phillies all-time hits leader in 2014, surpassing Mike Schmidt. He was traded to the Dodgers after the season, and hit a career low .224 in 2015. Rollins was the 2016 opening-day shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, but was released in June. He signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2017 but was cut in spring training.

Burrell was chosen to lead the Phillies’ World Series parade, but left the team as a free agent after the season. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009, but was released and picked up by the Giants in 2010, enjoying a resurgence and becoming the regular left fielder. Burrell signed a one-day contract with the Phillies in May 2012 so he could officially retire with the team.

Feliz drove in the game-winning run in the Phillies’ World Series clinching win in 2008. He played one more year for the team before the Phillies declined his option for 2010. He played for the Astros and Cardinals in 2010, and was released by the Royals during 2011 spring training.

After rejuvenating his career with the Phillies, Werth signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Nationals in December 2010. Werth last played in the majors with the Nationals in 2017, and announced his retirement in June after suffering an injury with the Seattle Mariners Triple-A team.

Victorino made the All-Star team with the Phillies in 2009 and won Gold Glove Awards in 2009 and 2010. He was traded to the Dodgers in July 2012. Victorino signed with the Red Sox in 2013, and hit a grand slam against the Tigers that sent Boston to the World Series, which they won over the Cardinals. He was traded to the Angels in 2015, and released by the Cubs from their Triple A team in 2016. In 2018, Victorino announced he was signing a one-day contract to retire as a Phillie.

Ryan Howard is the fourth key member of the Phillies’ 2008 championship team to announce his retierment this year, along with Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Here is a look at the key members of that team, and how they careers have fared since. Only four players are still in the majors: Utley, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, and Ryan Madson.

Hamels was the 2008 World Series MVP. He signed a six-year contract with the Phillies in 2012 for $144 million, or about $7,300 per pitch based on his prior production. He threw a no-hitter against the Cubs last July in his final start for the Phillies before being traded to the Texas Rangers. Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs in July.

The Phillies closer was perfect in 2008, converting 48 saves in as many opportunities, and struck out Eric Hinske to end the World Series. The following season, Lidge posted a record of 0-8, with a 7.21 ERA and 11 blown saves. The Phillies released Lidge after the 2011 season. Lidge finished his career with the Washington Nationals in 2012.

“Chooch” hit .219 in 2008, but improved to .302 in 2010 and .325 in 2012. Ruiz served a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2013 season after testing positive for Adderall for a second time. The Phillies traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, and Ruiz spent the 2017 season with the Seattle Mariners. Ruiz has not played in the major leagues this year.

Howard remained a productive hitter through 2011, clubbing 109 home runs and driving in 365 runs from 2009 through 2011. The Phillies signed him to a five-year, $125 million extension in 2010. Then Howard tore his left Achilles on the last play of the 2011 divisions series loss to the Cardinals, and his production declined sharply. The Phillies exercised a $10 million buyout of his contract after the 2016 season. Howard played in the minor leagues affiliates of the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies in 2017, and announced his retirement in September 2018.

Utley hit 31 home runs in 2009, and made the All-Star team in 2009 and 2010. Chronic knee pain began limiting Utley's effectiveness, and he was batting .217 when he was traded to the Dodgers in August 2015. In the 2015 National League Division Series, Utley’s hard slide to break up a double play broke the leg of the Mets’ Ruben Tejeda. In July, Utley announced he would retire at the end of this season, and he was warmly greeted by Phillies fans during his last visit to Citizens Bank Park.

Rollins became the Phillies all-time hits leader in 2014, surpassing Mike Schmidt. He was traded to the Dodgers after the season, and hit a career low .224 in 2015. Rollins was the 2016 opening-day shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, but was released in June. He signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2017 but was cut in spring training.

Feliz drove in the game-winning run in the Phillies’ World Series clinching win in 2008. He played one more year for the team before the Phillies declined his option for 2010. He played for the Astros and Cardinals in 2010, and was released by the Royals during 2011 spring training.

Burrell was chosen to lead the Phillies’ World Series parade, but left the team as a free agent after the season. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009, but was released and picked up by the Giants in 2010, enjoying a resurgence and becoming the regular left fielder. Burrell signed a one-day contract with the Phillies in May 2012 so he could officially retire with the team.

Victorino made the All-Star team with the Phillies in 2009 and won Gold Glove Awards in 2009 and 2010. He was traded to the Dodgers in July 2012. Victorino signed with the Red Sox in 2013, and hit a grand slam against the Tigers that sent Boston to the World Series, which they won over the Cardinals. He was traded to the Angels in 2015, and released by the Cubs from their Triple A team in 2016. In 2018, Victorino announced he was signing a one-day contract to retire as a Phillie.

After rejuvenating his career with the Phillies, Werth signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Nationals in December 2010. Werth last played in the majors with the Nationals in 2017, and announced his retirement in June after suffering an injury with the Seattle Mariners Triple-A team.