Russell made the Phillies in 1984 as a 23-year-old outfielder with impressive power (27 HR at Portland the year before), but never got his batting average high enough to stay in the lineup. He began catching in 1986 and hit .241 with 13 HR and 60 RBI, but the arrival of Lance Parrish in 1987 curtailed his playing time. He spent the remainder of his career as a little-used backup.
