Career
Born in Rural Retreat, Virginia to Andrew Phillippe and Jane Margaret Hackler, Phillippe first appeared in pro baseball with the National League"s Louisville Colonels in 1899. He had a 21–17 record that year, which was highlighted by a no-hitter in his seventh career game. The Colonels disbanded after the season, before which owner Barney Dreyfuss moved a number of Louisville players, including Phillippe, to the Pirates, a team Dreyfuss co-owned.
Phillippe earned the honor of starting the first World Series game for the Pirates against the Boston Americans in 1903.
His five decisions in the World Series are still a record for a pitcher. He missed half of 1904 due to a sore arm, before winning 20 for a sixth time in 1905.
His years as an ace ended in 1908, when he suffered from another sore arm and missed nearly the entire season. Phillippe returned in 1909 to play a bit role on a Pirate team which went 110–42.
In 1910, he was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a 14–2 record.
He retired after the 1911 season after making only three appearances that year. In 1912, he managed the Pittsburgh Filipinos, which were named after him, and began play in the United States Baseball League. The team then moved to the new Federal League in 1913 and, for a short time, was later renamed the Pittsburgh Stogies.
The Filipinos finished in first place during the league"s inaugural season, which lasted only one month, with a 19-7 record.
Phillippe was widely renowned for his control. Number pitcher who has debuted since 1893 (when the pitching mound was moved to its present distance of 60 feet and 6 inches away from home plate) has averaged fewer walks per nine innings than Phillippe.
He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.