The combined record of the teams Wigginton has played for during his career is 840-1,100.
"I think the most exciting part for me is the chance to win," he said. "It was one of the reasons I thought I signed with Colorado last year, but it just didn't work out.
"Now, here I am getting an opportunity with a Philadelphia team that won 100 games last year. Everybody knows about the starting pitching, and they've always had a lot of gamers and guys who play the game the right way."
Wigginton's desire to play the game the right way was one of the things that attracted the Phillies.
"The reason we targeted him is because across the board we've always thought of him as a perfect Philly-type guy," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said after arriving in Clearwater, where pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout Sunday. "I can remember [the late] John Vukovich talking about how much he liked him when he was with the Pirates. Our scouts throughout the years always talked about him, and Howie Freiling, our special-assignment scout, knows him really well."
Wigginton's versatility is another reason Amaro acquired him from the Rockies for a player to be named or cash.
"We wanted a guy with some thump off the bench who could play an extended period of time," Amaro said. "He gives us another dimension if [Placido Polanco] needs a blow or if we want him to fill in for Ryan [Howard] at first base. He can also play second base. In fact, some of our scouts think that might be his best position. We wanted someone who could give us a little more offense than Wilson Valdez in that role."
Amaro said he suspects Wigginton will get at least a few starts at first base while Howard recovers from foot surgery in April. Manager Charlie Manuel said he also is considering giving some playing time at first to Jim Thome and John Mayberry Jr.
