The 1951 Philadelphia Phillies finished in fifth place. The team had won the 1950 National League pennant but in the United Press' annual preseason poll of sportswriters, only 18 out of 168 writers picked the team to repeat as pennant winners; the Giants received 81 votes and the Dodgers 55. Those two teams wound up tied, with the Phillies 23 games behind.
Offseason
Prior to 1951 season: Ray Semproch was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.
Preseason
The Phillies held spring training in Clearwater, Florida, stayed at the Fort Harrison Hotel, and played at Clearwater Athletic Field. It was the team's fifth successive year training in Clearwater.
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions
June 11, 1951: Ted Kazanski was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.
All-Star Game
The 1951 All-Star Game was originally awarded to the Philadelphia Phillies. The City of Detroit was celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1701 and requested to host the year's All-Star Game. Although the National League was scheduled to host the game in '51, the game was moved to Detroit's Briggs Stadium to coincide with the city's celebration. The Phillies instead hosted the 1952 All-Star Game at Shibe Park.
Game log
|- style="background:#bfb" | 1 || April 17 || @ Dodgers || 5–2 || Robin Roberts (1–0) || Carl Erskine (0–1) || None || 19,217 || 1–0 |- style="background:#fbb" | 2 || April 18 || @ Dodgers || 3–4 || Preacher Roe (1–0) || Jim Konstanty (0–1) || None || 15,415 || 1–1 |- style="background:#bbb" | – || April 19 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain); Makeup: May 31 |- style="background:#fbb" | 3 || April 20 || Braves || 1–2 || Max Surkont (1–0) || Ken Heintzelman (0–1) || None || 17,423 || 1–2 |- style="background:#fbb" | 4 || April 21 || Braves || 6–8 || Vern Bickford (1–1) || Robin Roberts (1–1) || George Estock (1) || 10,945 || 1–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 5 || April 22 || Braves || 6–5 || Bubba Church (1–0) || Johnny Sain (0–1) || None || 11,261 || 2–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 6 || April 23 || Giants || 8–4 || Jocko Thompson (1–0) || Jim Hearn (1–1) || None || 17,283 || 3–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 7 || April 24 || Giants || 6–4 || Bob Miller (1–0) || Roger Bowman (0–1) || Jim Konstanty (1) || 16,274 || 4–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 8 || April 25 || Giants || 2–1 || Ken Heintzelman (1–1) || Larry Jansen (1–2) || None || 5,257 || 5–3 |- style="background:#bfb" | 9 || April 26 || Dodgers || 2–0 || Robin Roberts (2–1) || Chris Van Cuyk (0–1) || None || 30,161 || 6–3 |- style="background:#fbb" | 10 || April 27 || Dodgers || 5–11 || Joe Hatten (1–0) || Bubba Church (1–1) || Carl Erskine (1) || 9,267 || 6–4 |- style="background:#fbb" | 11 || April 28 || @ Braves || 0–3 || Max Surkont (3–0) || Russ Meyer (0–1) || None || 7,848 || 6–5 |- style="background:#fbb" | 12 || April 29 (1) || @ Braves || 0–1 || Vern Bickford (3–1) || Jocko Thompson (1–1) || None || see 2nd game || 6–6 |- style="background:#bfb" | 13 || April 29 (2) || @ Braves || 10–9 || Leo Cristante (1–0) || Blix Donnelly (0–1) || Jim Konstanty (2) || 18,518 || 7–6 |-