Granny Hamner made his debut for the Phillies at age 17 during World War II, but he was clearly talented and by the 1948 season he secured his role as the Phillies’ starting Shortstop and from 1949 to 1954 he was in the top ten in Defensive bWAR and thus provided good defense for the “Whiz Kid” teams of the early 1950’s Hamner was named an All-Star three years in a row (1952 to 1954) and had six straight 150 Hit seasons (1949 to 1954).  He would have 1,518 Hits overall for Philadelphia.