Game 140 - Suarez Pitches Phils to Series Win Over Brewers

Philadelphia Phillies	2
Milwaukee Brewers	0

2024 Topps Heritage
Image Variation #685

Thursday Night, September 4th

American Family Field - Milwaukee, WI
81-59, 1st Place, 6 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez was on in this 2-0 combined shutout win over the Brewers.

What It Means:  This was a great series win against the only team in the National League with a better record than the Phillies.  If the season ended today, the Brewers and Phillies would both have byes in the first round of the playoffs.

What Happened:  Suarez improved to 11-6, allowing six hits and walking a pair in his six shutout innings.  He struck out four.  David Robertson, Matt Strahm and Jhoan Duran shut down the Brewers over the final three innings.  Scoreless through six innings, Alec Bohm tripled with one out in the seventh and scored on Trea Turner's line single to left.  An insurance run was added in the top of the ninth when Bryson Stott doubled home Harrison Bader, who had doubled to start the inning.

Featured Card:  It's got to be Suarez, presumably the team's number two starter heading into the postseason, behind Cristopher Sanchez.  I recently added this image variation card from last year's Topps Heritage set.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 39 - Suarez Stellar Against Guardians

Philadelphia Phillies	7
Cleveland Guardians	1

2024 Topps Heritage #685

Saturday Night, May 10th

Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
23-16, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez returned to his All-Star form and the Phillies exploded for six runs in the eighth inning in this 7-1 win over the Guardians.

What It Means:  The Phillies will go for a series win tonight against the Guardians in the ESPN Sunday Night game.

What Happened:  Suarez looked smooth through seven innings, needing only 82 pitches to shut down the Guardians and hold their line-up to three hits.  He struck out five and walked a batter on the way to his first win of 2025.  In the fourth, Trea Turner singled, Bryce Harper doubled and Kyle Schwarber singled home Turner for the game's first run.  Guardians' reliever Joey Cantillo got hit around a bit in the eighth.  Harper greeted him with a two-run home run after Cantillo relieved Jakob Junis.  What followed quickly put the Phillies up by a 7-0 score - Schwarber singled, Nick Castellanos singled, Max Kepler doubled, J.T. Realmuto walked, Brandon Marsh singled and Edmundo Sosa singled.

Featured Card:  Here's Suarez's 2024 Topps Heritage card, from the High Numbers series not released until last month.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 23 - First Win Elusive for Nola

Philadelphia Phillies	4
New York Mets	5

2024 Topps Heritage #596

Monday Night, April 21st

Citi Field - Flushing, NY
13-10, 2nd Place, 3 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola fell to 0-5 and a late game comeback wasn't enough for the Phillies in this 5-4 loss to the first place Mets.

What It Means:  I hate the Mets.

What Happened:  Nola gave up a pair of home runs in the first two innings to Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.  It was briefly 5-0 Mets in the third inning after Juan Soto hit what was originally called a three-run home run, but replays showed the ball as clearly foul.  Nola departed with one out in the seventh inning, having settled down and allowed seven hits overall while striking out six.  Jose  Ruiz entered the game, inheriting runners on first and second from Nola, and quickly gave up a three-run home run to Lindor.

The Phillies scored all their runs in the ninth.  Max Kepler led off with a double and scored on J.T. Realmuto's RBI single.  Alec Bohm reached on a single, and the Mets brought in closer Edwin Diaz.  Bryson Stott gave us some temporary hope when he launched a three-run home run off Diaz to bring the deficit to just a run.  But Diaz quickly struck out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to end the ballgame.

Featured Card:  Posting a card for Nola in the hopes he turns it around with his next start.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 18 - Wind, Wildness and Walks Doom Phils

San Francisco Giants	11
Philadelphia Phillies	4

1975 Topps #240

Wednesday Night, April 16th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
10-8, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola suffered through what he deemed his worst start ever, and the game quickly got away from the Phillies, as they lost to the Giants, 11-4.

What It Means:  It was unusually windy at the ballpark and playing conditions weren't ideal, but the Giants managed to outplay the Phillies with the help of nine walks from the pitching staff.

What Happened:  Nola fell to 0-4, allowing seven runs (six earned) in 5 1/3 innings, while striking out eight and walking four.  He spotted the Giants four runs in the first, including a run that scored on a bases loaded walk.  The Phillies scored two runs on bases loaded walks in the bottom of the first from Giants' starter Robbie Ray.  There was some brief hope after Bryce Harper tied the game in the fourth with a two-run home run.  But the Giants would score seven unanswered runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.  Joe Ross continued to struggle, giving up a four spot in his one inning of work.  The Phillies offense was 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Let's cheer up the vibe here a little with one of my favorite Giants cards in my Phillies Collection, featuring the former Secretary of Defense.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 6 - Walker Shuts Down Rockies, Phils Sweep

Colorado Rockies	1
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2024 Topps Heritage #384

Game 6

Thursday Afternoon, April 3rd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
5-1, 1st Place, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Taijuan Walker threw one of the best games of his Phillies career, and Jose Alvarado wriggled out of his own trouble in the ninth as the Phillies won the game, 3-1, sweeping the series against the Rockies.

What It Means:  Now comes the real test as the undefeated Dodgers come to town for a three-game weekend series.

What Happened:  Walker tossed six shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out four before handing it over to the bullpen.  Alvarado allowed a run on three hits and a walk in the ninth but ended up striking out the side for his first save of the season.  Bryce Harper doubled home Kyle Schwarber in the fifth for the game's first run.  Schwarber hit his fourth home run in the seventh, and J.T. Realmuto scored on a wild pitch in the eighth to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead.

Featured Card:  Good for Walker.  He certainly seems like a good guy, and his tenure this far in Philly has been less than stellar.  He'll likely get at least a few more starts before Ranger Suarez's back is healthy enough for his return.  This is his 1975 Topps inspired card from last year's Topps Heritage set.

Field Report:  Jenna and I opted to skip the second half of our work days to attend our first game of the 2025 season.  As has been tradition in recent years for our first trip to the ballpark of the season, we spent a lot of the game leisurely walking the concourse, taking in the sights, sounds, food and drink.  I signed us up for the Phillies Club 215 (the teen club . . . shhh) so that I could again reap a few Phillies goodies and collect the only team-issued baseball card set now being produced by the club.  After that, we enjoyed lunch at Pass and Stow, perused the team store and found a pair of comfortable Adirondack chairs by the Kona Big Wave Bar where we watched/listened the game.  We'll actually make it to our seats next time.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

Spring Training Game 1 - Baseball is Back!

Philadelphia Phillies	6
Detroit Tigers	7

2024 Topps Heritage #476

Spring Training Game 1

Saturday Afternoon, February 22

Joker Marchant Stadium - Lakeland, FL

Record - 0-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies dropped the Grapefruit League lid-lifter late, falling to the Tigers by a score of 7-6.

What It Means:   I started composing these Phillies game summary posts at some point during the 2009 season, and I briefly considered stopping the daily routine following the 2024 season.  I know I'm not breaking any news here, and my readership is several dozen views a post, at best.  (And who know how many of those are just bots?)  But this blog brings me joy, always has, and my brief hesitation to continue this daily practice throughout 2025 was quickly put aside when I realized how much I'd miss doing this.  I also realized how much I needed to keep doing this.

Our country is an embarrassing mess.  The Phillies, baseball cards, and by extension this blog, give me a daily respite from the doom-scrolling that might otherwise occupy what free time I have.  I don't have any grand answers, and I wish I did, but I can be kind to others suffering or sad and try to help.  I can continue to support the causes and organizations that provide much-needed empathy and make a difference to our communities.  I can share some Phillies highlights and a baseball card on a daily basis, ensuring my mental health is getting some attention.  We can and we will keep moving forward.  Play ball.

What Happened:  Non-roster invitee Nabil Crismatt got the start for the Phillies, and he pitched two scoreless innings.  Relievers Jose Cuas, Austin Schulfer and Wesley Moore let the Tigers chip away at what had been a 6-1 Phillies lead heading to the bottom of the sixth.  Buddy Kennedy had the first home run of the spring for the Phillies in the fifth, and catcher Josh Breaux added a solo shot in the sixth.

Featured Card:  Kennedy's two-run home run gave the Phillies a 5-0 lead.  A few innings earlier, in the third, Max Kepler collected his first hit in a Phillies uniform, driving home a pair with a single to center.  Kepler has been penciled in as the team's regular left fielder, and it was good to see him start strong.  This is the only card of his in my Phillies Collection so far, from last year's Topps Heritage set.

Camp Head Count:  66

As spring training games began, the Phillies officially had 66 players in camp - 40 on the 40-man roster and 26 non-roster invitees.  Weston Wilson (inf) is the first player to succumb to injury, and an oblique injury will keep him on the shelf for about six weeks.

2024 Chachi #56 Carlos Estevez

#53 / Carlos Samuel Estevez / Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'6"  Weight:  277
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  December 28, 1992, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Phillies for George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri, July 27, 2024

Major League Teams:  Colorado Rockies 2016-17, 2019-22; Los Angeles Angels 2023-24; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

Postseason Appearances:  Colorado Rockies 2017; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Topps Heritage #498

Former All-Star Carlos Estevez was acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline and immediately given the club's closer role.  Manager Rob Thomson had been using a closer by committee approach throughout the season, with Jose Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm all getting save chances.  Estevez provided some stability in the bullpen in his short tenure with the Phillies, recording six saves in eight opportunities.  He was 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 20 appearances, striking out 18 and walking seven in 21 innings pitched.  His enduring legacy however will be the grand slam he surrendered to Francisco Lindor in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Mets, effectively ending the Phillies season in heartbreaking fashion.  The Mets would go on to win that game, 4-1, and advance to the NLCS.  Estevez is a free agent as of this writing in late December. 

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2016 Topps Heritage #647
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2023-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #498
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  2 as of 12/23/24, 2 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2024 Chachi #56

2024 Chachi #70 - NLDS Game 4

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #55 Kolby Allard / 2024 Chachi #57 Tanner Banks

2024 Chachi #25 Gregory Soto

#30 / Gregory Soto / Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  234
Opening Day Age:  29

Born:  February 11, 1995, Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Kody Clemens to the Phillies for Nick Maton, Donny Sands and Matt Vierling, January 7, 2023

Major League Teams:  Detroit Tigers 2019-22; Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24; Baltimore Orioles 2024

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023; Baltimore Orioles 2024

2024 Topps Heritage #144

After Gregory Soto was traded to the Orioles on July 30th for Moises Chace and Seth Johnson, it came to light the reliever had not bee happy with his role in the Phillies bullpen as a non-closer.  He had pitched relatively well for the club in 2023, but his 4.62 ERA in 60 1/3 innings likely didn't lend itself to a higher leverage role.  Soto was 2-4 for the Phillies in 2024 with a 4.08 ERA in 35 1/3 innings pitched when he was dealt to Baltimore.  He struggled with the Orioles and saw his ERA go up to 5.09 in his 23 games back in the American League.  Soto and Seranthony Dominguez will likely both be back in the Orioles bullpen in 2025.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2018 Bowman Draft #BD-53
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2019, 2022-2023
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #144
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  7 as of 12/21/24, 2 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi New Additions #6

2023 Chachi #23

2024 Chachi #25

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #24 Luis F. Ortiz / 2024 Chachi #26 Matt Strahm

2024 Chachi #9 Johan Rojas

#18 / Johan Stiven Rojas / Center Field

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  165
Opening Day Age:  23

Born:  August 14, 2000, San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent, January 18, 2018

Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

2024 Topps Heritage #171

Johan Rojas was the Phillies' opening day center fielder, but a slow start and shaky defense led to a demotion to Lehigh Valley in mid-June.  He'd be back up relatively quickly due to an injury to Bryce Harper, batting .252 through the end of the season and improving on his defense.  Rojas made 102 starts in center field, more than any other player, and it would seem he'll battle Brandon Marsh for playing time in center in 2025.  For the season, he batted .243 with three home runs, 32 RBIs and 25 stolen bases, second most on the club.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2021 Bowman Heritage #156
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2024
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #171
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  26 as of 12/20/24, 14 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #48

2024 Chachi #9

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #8 Brandon Marsh / 2024 Chachi #10 Zack Wheeler

2024 Chachi #6 Bryson Stott

#5 / Bryson Jeremy Stott / Second Base

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  26

Born:  October 6, 1997, Las Vegas, NV
Acquired:  Drafted by the Phillies in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 2019 amateur draft, June 3, 2019

Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Topps Heritage #419

In his third full season as a regular in the Phillies' line-up, and his second season as the everyday second baseman, Bryson Stott played in 148 games, batting .245 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs.  Along with most of the regulars, Stott struggled in the NLDS against the Mets, batting .182 (2 for 11) in the mostly forgettable four-game series.  He did provide one of the few Phillies highlights of the postseason, hitting a key triple in the eighth inning of Game 2.  The Phillies would eventually win that game on a walk-off single from Nick Castellanos, their only win of the postseason.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Draft #BD-79
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2022-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #419
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  74 as of 12/20/24, 17 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi Almost #3 
2022 Chachi #8

2022 Chachi Friendly Encounters #15

2023 Chachi #6

2023 Chachi #61 - NLWCS Game 2

2024 Chachi #6

2024 Chachi #68 - NLDS Game 2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #5 Alec Bohm / 2024 Chachi #7 Nick Castellanos

The Philly Show Report - 12 Years Gone in a Flash

Last Sunday, Doug and I made the hour-plus drive to Oaks, Pennsylvania for the latest installment of The Philly Show, now a major sports card and memorabilia event with eBay as its corporate sponsor.  Doug's first winter track meet of the 2024-25 season precluded us from going on Saturday and obtaining a So Taguchi autograph, but the word was Sunday's crowds were much smaller and more manageable.  Our oldest son is in his senior year of High School, so it shouldn't have caught me off guard when he commented on the way into the show, "This could be my last one of these for a while."

His first baseball card show was somehow already 12 years ago.  It's been a blur since then.

His interests have changed over the years of course, and in the past his disposable income would have gone to low-numbered autographed or relic cards of recent, fringe Phillies players.  And while he did find a few moderately priced cards of Bailey Falter, Weston Wilson and Hans Crouse that gave him a smile, he ultimately opted to hang on to his money for gas, food, dates and other stuff a typical 18-year-old would spend his money on.  Still, I was glad to have him with me and I enjoyed what could have definitely been our last baseball card show together for a little bit.

The Oaks show floor is massive, and it's expanded since our last visit, last December.  We were there for a little over two hours and I saw maybe 40% or so of the show's offerings.  But I had some goals in mind, and having attained those goals, and run out of money, I was fine with the abbreviated visit.

• 1969 Topps Commons:  I pulled up a folding chair one more time at Uncle Dick's Cards, picking up where I had left off a year ago, and pulling commons I needed between card #500 and the final card in the set, #664.  I crossed 98 more cards off my list, and bundled in the Rollie Fingers rookie card for good measure and at a good price, given the stack of commons I had already committed to buy.

• 1969 Topps Stars:  Along with the Fingers card, I found a dealer with good prices on the Ted Williams and Brooks Robinson All-Star cards.

• 1955 Bowman Wrapper:  My sole non-focused purchase was a fairly beat-up 1955 Bowman wrapper.  Once I finish up my 1956 Topps blog, likely at some point in 2025, I'll officially begin collecting the 1955 Bowman set.  This wrapper will look great in the front of that set's binder.

• 1935 Diamond Stars Jimmie Foxx:  My monster purchase was the Foxx card from the Diamond Stars set I'm collecting, and slowly getting close to completing.  Doug gets credit for finding the slabbed Foxx card in his journeys.  The card was priced at almost twice what I ended up paying for it, and it won't officially enter my collection until Santa presents it on Christmas morning as my major gift for the year.

• 1969 and 1959 Topps Semistars:  Nearing the end of our stay, I added 14 semistars to our 1969 Topps set and six commons to our not-yet-collecting 1959 Topps set.

• 2024 Topps Factory Set / 2024 Topps Heritage Hobby Box:  And finally, before we made our way to the exit, I purchased an obligatory 2024 Topps factory set for Santa to also deliver on Christmas morning and we decided it would be fun to open a box of 2024 Topps Heritage once we were home.  (And I can confirm, it was fun.)

So that's a wrap on the first and only baseball card show we attended in 2024.  I'm excited for the 2025 baseball card shows, but I'm honestly more excited for whatever comes next for Doug in the coming year.

 

Congrats to Dick Allen - Hall of Famer!

On Sunday night, the 16-member Classic Baseball Era Committee finally inducted Dick Allen into the Hall of Fame.  Allen will posthumously be inducted this summer as part of the Class of 2025.  The Phillies Room is thrilled for Allen's family, the Phillies organization, and those who have continuously lobbied to have Allen immortalized in the Hall.  Finally!

1964 Topps #243

1965 Topps #460

1966 Topps #80

1967 Topps #450

1967 Topps #309

1968 Topps #225

1969 Topps #350

1970 Topps #40

1971 Topps #650

1972 Topps #240

1973 Topps #310

1974 Topps #70

1975 Topps #400

1976 Topps #455

2024-25 Offseason Begins - Early November Notes (Part 2)

2024 Topps Heritage #242

2024 Topps #571

2024 Choice Rocket City Trash Pandas #13

Once I started summarizing the player moves over the first week of the offseason, I realized I needed to break everything into two posts given the flurry of activity on Monday, November 4th.  (Part 1 of these Early November Notes can be found here.)

Devin Sweet (rhp) was acquired from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations and added to the 40-man roster.  Sweet has pitched in seven big-league games, all in 2023, with the Mariners and Athletics.

John McMillon (rhp) was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins.  He's appeared in 14 games with the Royals and Marlins over the past two seasons, and was the winning pitcher in the Marlins game against the Phillies on September 7th.

Alan Rangel (rhp) who appeared in 10 games for the IronPigs in 2024, and who had pitched in seven seasons in the Braves' minor league system, was added to the 40-man roster.

Clearing space on the 40-man roster, the Phillies outrighted Yunior Marte (rhp), Luis F. Ortiz (rhp), Freddy Tarnok (rhp), Kolby Allard (lhp) and Rodolfo Castro (inf), with all clearing waivers and becoming free agents.  Marte relieved in 63 games for the Phillies over the past two seasons, and was 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in 65 1/3 innings pitched.  Ortiz appeared in 15 games for the Phillies, with just one game this past season, and had a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings pitched.  He spent the bulk of 2024 on the injured list.

Tarnok never pitched for the Phillies.  Allard was a somewhat reliable emergency fifth starter for the club, going 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA, finding his most success in two starts in August.  Added to the NLDS roster, he didn't appear in any of the four games.  Like Ortiz, Castro was injured for a lot of 2024, and never got the call back to the majors.  In 14 games with the Phillies in 2023, he batted .100 (3 for 30).  Marte, Ortiz and Castro have their only Phillies cardboard appearances in the somewhat rare 2024 team-issued photo cards, shown below.

2024-25 Offseason Begins - Early November Notes (Part 1)

2024 Topps Heritage #79

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #7

2024 Topps Update #US232

2024 Topps Update #US239

The offseason officially began on Halloween eve, after the Dodgers stunned the Yankees in a 7-6 comeback victory, taking the World Series, four games to one.  As has been the case in recent years, I expect this blog will go mostly dormant over the winter months, as I continue to focus on my set-building efforts with my 1969 Topps blog, and as I near the end of my blog recounting how my Dad and I collected the 1956 Topps set over a 20-year period.

I'll check back in here every now and then with roster and transaction-related news, and I'd like to maybe work on updating my very out-of-date want lists over the winter months.  To kick off the three and half months of semi-hibernation, here's a look at the team's early offseason moves.

Minor League Free Agents:  Somewhat under the radar, three Phillies relievers became free agents on October 10th.  Dylan Covey (rhp), Nick Nelson (rhp) and Andrew Bellatti (rhp) all left the organization, with Covey quickly signing with the Mets.  Covey appeared in 28 games for the Phillies in 2023 and was 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 39 innings pitched.  He has nary a Phillies baseball card appearance.

Nelson and Bellatti were both key cogs in the team's 2022 bullpen, and then seemingly fell out of the Phillies' pitching plans the past two seasons.  Nelson was 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA in 52 games with the Phillies, and he pitched a scoreless, mop-up inning in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, won by the Astros, 7-0.  Bellatti appeared in 86 games, going 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 2022 and 2023.  He didn't allow a run in five postseason appearances and 4 1/3 innings pitched in 2022.  Both had cards in the team-issued photo card sets from 2022 and 2023.  Bellatti showed up in the 2023 and 2024 Topps Heritage sets, with both cards using the same photo.

On October 15th, Aramis Garcia (c) joined the ranks of minor league free agents.  Garcia appeared in three September games with the Phillies and was 0 for 7.  He appears in both editions of the 2024 Lehigh Valley IronPigs team sets.

Major League Free Agents:  Carlos Estevez (rhp), Jeff Hoffman (rhp) and Spencer Turnbull (rhp) all became free agents on Halloween.  I'd like to see Hoffman, and maybe even Turnbull, come back to the team.  Hoffman was an All-Star this year, and both he and Estevez struggled mightily in the NLDS.  Turnbull last pitched on June 26th, before injuries derailed his season.

Kingery Era Ends:  On November 1st, Scott Kingery (inf) was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations.  He last suited up for the Phillies for one game in 2022, and over his decade in the organization, he batted .229 with 30 home runs and 96 RBIs at the big league level before settling into a regular role with the IronPigs.  Kingery was the club's everyday shortstop in 2018, and the club had signed him to a $24 million contract covering the 2018 to 2023 seasons.  I have 93 (!) Kingery cards in my Phillies collection.

40-Man Roster / Transaction Flurry:  I'll break this into two posts, with a look at the flurry of moves made on Monday next.

Game 131 - Harper Walks It Off with Clutch RBI-Single in 10th

2024 Topps Heritage #405

Phillies 3, Astros 2 (10 Innings)
Game 131 - Monday Night, August 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 77-54, 1st Place, 6 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  With Zack Wheeler and the bullpen holding the Astros at bay, the Phillies won the huge first game of this series when Bryce Harper delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning.

What It Means:  I think the Phillies are back, and this is the kind of game they would have won before the post All-Star Game swoon.

What Happened:  Wheeler went six innings, allowing a pair of runs on six hits while striking out six.  Orion Kerkering, Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estevez and Matt Strahm followed with a scoreless inning each, with Strahm picking up the win.  Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Brandon Marsh got the Phillies on the board with his 13th home run of the season.  An inning later, Harper led off the sixth with a double and would score on a Nick Castellanos line drive single to center.

In the top of the 10th, Johan Rojas made a fantastic catch to preserve the tie.  In the bottom of the 10th, and with Kyle Schwarber at second as the ghost runner, Harper delivered his big hit to give the Phillies the win.

Featured Card:  Somehow I've not yet featured Harper's 1975 Topps-inspired card from this year's Topps Heritage set.

Transactions:  There were a flurry of transactions before this game.  Kolby Allard (lhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Weston Wilson (inf) was placed on the paternity list.  Max Lazar (rhp) and Buddy Kennedy (inf) were recalled.  Jose Alvarado (lhp) was placed on the restricted list for personal reasons with Michael Mercado (rhp) taking his place in the bullpen.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 126 - Like Remy, Phils Squeak By Braves

2024 Topps Heritage #105

Phillies 3, Braves 2
Game 126 - Wednesday Night, August 21st in Atlanta
Record - 74-52, 1st Place, 7 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  With the offense still scuffling, the Phillies manufactured a trio of runs in this much-needed 3-2 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  They'd go for the series win on Thursday night but (spoiler alert) fall short.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola battled through 5 1/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on eight hits, including a two-run home run to Orlando Arcia in the fourth inning.  The Phillies tied it up in the sixth, when Edmundo Sosa led off with a single, went to third on Johan Rojas' double and scored on a Kyle Schwarber groundout.  Rojas would cross the plate on a Trea Turner sacrifice fly.  In the eighth, Weston Wilson led off with a double and advanced twice on sacrifice flies from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.  Carlos Estevez made it interesting in the ninth, but induced a game-inning ground out to first from Whit Merrifield with the tying run on third, to end the game.

Featured Card:  Wilson has been one of the lone bright spots in the Phillies line-up the last few weeks, and he was 2 for 3 while scoring the winning run in this game.  He was batting .362 following this game and up to this point was batting .579 (11 for 19) with three doubles, a triple and a home run in August.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 115 - Big Sixth Inning Leads Phils Over Snakes

2024 Topps Heritage #159

Phillies 6, Diamondbacks 4
Game 115 - Late Thursday Night, August 8th in Phoenix
Record - 69-46, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' offense stayed hot, banging out 14 hits and winning this series opener against the Diamondbacks, 6-4.

What It Means:  The Phillies have a three-game winning streak going, and the Mets have passed the Braves in the standings.

What Happened:  Trailing 1-0 heading to the sixth inning, the Phillies' bats finally woke up in the desert.  Nick Castellanos reached when he was plunked on an up and in pitch and Weston Wilson doubled him home to tie the score.  Trea Turner followed with a two-run single after Johan Rojas and Kyle Schwarber had walked to load the bases.  Bryce Harper added the inning's fourth run with a single to center, scoring Schwarber.  The Diamondbacks gained back a pair when Jake McCarthy hit a two-run home run off Orion Kerkering in the bottom of the sixth.  

J.T. Realmuto provided some breathing room with a solo home run in the seventh and Edmundo Sosa contributed an RBI-double in the ninth.  Carlos Estevez was a little wild in the ninth, but the new closer settled in and recorded his first save with the Phillies.

Featured Card:  Realmuto has had an off-year offensively, but his home run last night, only his eighth of the season, came at a great time.  Realmuto marked 10 years of big league service yesterday, a true milestone for one of the best catcher's in baseball.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 107 - Phils Lose Heartbreaker on Trade Deadline Day

2022 Topps Update #US146

2024 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #4

2024 Topps Heritage #144

2022 Choice South Atlantic League Top Prospects

2023 Choice Delmarva Shorebirds #24

Yankees 7, Phillies 6 (12 Innings)
Game 107 - Tuesday Night, July 30th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-42, 1st Place, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  In one of the more painful losses of the season, the Phillies couldn't keep rallying past the Yankees, losing 7-6 in 12 innings.

What It Means:  It's really not going well.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on seven hits, and departed with the Phillies holding a 4-2 lead.  Matt Strahm allowed a three-run home run to Jazz Chisolm in the top of the seventh, giving the Yankees the lead.  In the ninth, the Phillies battled back to tie the game when pinch-runner Johan Rojas scored on a wild pitch from Yankees' closer Clay Holmes.  J.T. Realmuto and Bryson Stott had both singled to start the mini-rally.  The Phillies loaded the bases in the 10th, but did not score.  The Yankees took the lead in the top of the 11th, but the Phillies again rallied to tie the game when Austin Hays singled home ghost runner Stott in the bottom of the 11th.  The Yankees pulled ahead for the final time in the top of the 12th against reliever Orion Kerkering, and the Phillies went down quietly in the bottom of the 12th.

Featured Cards/Transactions:  Prior to this debacle, Dave Dombrowski pulled off two more deals before the 6pm trade deadline.

Tanner Banks (lhp) was acquired from the Chicago White Sox for prospect William Bergolla (inf).  Banks is nearly unhittable when facing left-handed batters, and in 41 games and 48 innings with the White Sox this season, he had been 2-2 with a 4.13 ERA and a pair of saves.  Bergolla was batting .295 with 18 stolen bases for high-A Jersey Shore.

Gregory Soto (lhp) was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles for pitching prospects Seth Johnson (rhp) and Moises Chace (rhp).  The Phillies decided to move on from Soto, picking up two promising arms in the process.  In 1 1/2 seasons and 112 games with the Phillies, Soto was 5-8 with a 4.42 ERA and five saves.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist