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16 Responses to “100 Greatest Phillies: 59 – Willie Montanez”

1. IRONPIGPEN Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

   Excellent. I had that card!

2. Brooks Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

   Willie had a terrific first year. Not many players made their debut into the big league with a bigger bang than Willie. He hit 30 hrs in that first year and gave the city a slugger in the making?? Hardly, for his hot dogging style, Willie never hit more than 13 hrs in a season for the Phils and never hit as many as 20 until he reached Atlanta later on. In 75 he was traded to the Giants for Gary Maddox. Good trade for the Phils.

3. Justin Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 9:46 pm

   he was before my time but he was always nice guy in the few times i got a chance to meet him.

4. mde77 Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 5:49 am

   Willies Montenez being ranked 20 spots higher than Bake McBride is a disgrace.

5. Jeff Y. Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 7:16 am

   What a great looking 1973 card. They don’t make them like that anymore.

6. Jeff Y. Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 7:18 am

   I agree, Bake was a better player than Willie, by far.

7. Monktavian Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 9:16 am

   Willie played on some awful teams. In fact he was the ONLY entertainment some nights at the Vet when the Phils stunk out the place. He made every play fun and interesting.

8. maxhole Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 10:45 am

   yes! i’ve got joe morgan and frank robinson cards from card set

9. phils 50+ Says:
   January 28th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   He was my favorite player on those early 70’s teams. Not the best but colorful, the epitome of hot dog. My buddy and I were at the Vet inaugural game in 1971 and watched from the left centerfield bleachers as he dribbled a baseball on the turf while running out to his position. We were amazed by the bounciness of the turf and laughed at how Montanez enjoyed the show.

   One first baseman teammate of mine used to flip his glove just like Willie did. He was having fun playing the game, just like Montanez. I’ve been waiting to see where he stood in this group of 100. Sure, Shake and Bake was more talented, but Willie the Phillie was entertaining and left a huge impression on me and many other ex-ballplayers and fans.

10. ashmidt Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    willie the phillie. he was my favorite phillie in the early 70s. he got robbed for the rookie of the year award. i remember him and joe lis in a fight at home plate in a spring training game. they shared a baseball card in 1971. i came home from my honeymoon in hawaii, and they stopped in san fran and i bought a paper and found out about garry maddox for willie.and i was pissed. it didnt take too long for garry lee to win me over though. i never saw anyone dig in at the plate like willie. he sure was fun to watch. truely one of a kind.

11. NJ Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Bit before my time so have to ask… Did Willie have balls?

12. ashmidt Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    hey nj, i was debating to say it or not, yes willie had balls, he knew the pitcher was going to throw right at his head, after hot dogging it after a home run. and he would still dig in at the plate. and alot of times he the dirt, and would still get up

13. Dwayne Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    Anybody that played little league ball around the Philly area when Willie was here wanted to be him. I think that says it all.

14. PennJerseyForums Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    Are there any videos of Willie on YOUTUBE or anywhere else? I loved him.

15. Alex Straiton Says:
    April 22nd, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    Watch highlights of 1977 all-star game…..you get a couple of glimpses.

16. Turf Management NJ Says:
    July 15th, 2010 at 4:22 pm

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