Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Game 37 - Sosa's Clutch Hit in 8th Leads to Comeback Win

Athletics  3 
Philadelphia Phillies  6 

2019 Topps Heritage #286
Wednesday Night, May 6th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
17-20, Tied for 2nd Place, 8 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  A four-run eighth inning capped by a go-ahead, two-run single from Edmundo Sosa, led to a 6-3 win over the Athletics.

What It Means:  The Phillies would go for the series sweep on Thursday night, but they'd fall quite a bit short.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler made his first home start since August 2, 2025, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four.  Brad Keller walked a tight-rope (again) in the ninth, loading the bases, before securing his third save.  The Phillies trailed 3-2 after six innings, following a solo home run from Adolis Garcia.  In the eighth, the Phillies loaded the bases on a Kyle Schwarber walk, a costly error from Jeff McNeil to put Bryce Harper aboard, and a Garcia single.  Sosa fell behind 0-2 and then fouled off four straight pitches before singling to center to score Schwarber and Harper.  Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford brought two more runs home later in the inning.

Featured Card:  I've been waiting to feature this card, and the starring roles played by Garcia and Sosa in this win was a good reason.  Both players came up through the Cardinals' system and they were reunited with the Phillies when Garcia signed with the club in the offseason.

Field Report:  Jenna and I enjoyed this game from Section 315, in front of a group of rowdy nurses, after enjoying a pre-game meal from Pass and Stow.


2026 Virtual Phillies Wall (Coming Soon) / 2026 Season Summary Index 2026 Chachi Set Checklist

Monday, June 9, 2025

Game 65 - Phils Swept Out of Pittsburgh

Philadelphia Phillies  1 
Pittsburgh Pirates  2 

2019 Topps Gallery
Heritage #HT-25
Sunday Afternoon, June 8th
PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA
37-28, 2nd Place, 4 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Paul Skenes made easy work of the scuffling Phillies offense and Cristopher Sanchez was the hardluck loser in this 2-1 loss to the Pirates.

What It Means:  The Phillies have lost nine of their last ten games, and they were swept by a not great Pirates team.  They've lost five games in a row, scoring just one run in four of those games.  They return home on Monday for three with the Cubs, followed by three more with the Blue Jays.

What Happened:  The Phillies managed a single run in this game when Brandon Marsh singled in the third and came around to score on Rafael Marchan's double to right, coupled with an error by Pirates' second baseman Nick Gonzales.  The only other hit from the Phillies was a double by Trea Turner in the ninth, but Alec Bohm grounded into a double play to end the threat and the ballgame.  Skenes was cruising and was oddly removed after 97 pitches, having given up the unearned run and striking out seven.  Sanchez just about matched him, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out nine.

Featured Card:  With the score tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Oneil Cruz walked, stole second and scored on Andrew McCutchen's single to right.  Now in his 17th season, McCutchen is batting .255 with five home runs and 21 RBIs.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Game 38 - Cleveland Rocks Nola, Phils

Philadelphia Phillies  0 
Cleveland Guardians  6 

2019 Topps Big League #354
Friday Night, May 9th
Progressive Field - Cleveland, OH
22-16, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola surrendered two costly home run and the Phillies offense managed six hits, dropping this series opener with a 6-0 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies have been shut out four times already this season.  Nola started two of those games.

What Happened:  Nola gave up home runs to Kyle Manzardo in the fourth, a solo shot, and to Angel Martinez in the fifth, a two-run homer.  He departed the game after five innings with his team trailing, 4-0.  Joe Ross gave up two more runs, including a Jose Ramirez solo home run, in the seventh.  Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos both had two hits for the Phillies but the offense overall went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  I managed to amass 20 Carlos Santana cards in my Phillies Collection based on the one year he played with the club in 2018.  This one, from the 2019 Topps Big League set, features a future Phillie more prominently than Santana.  Santana is a 16-year veteran, now in his third stint with Cleveland, and he's gotten off to a slow start, batting .229 with four home runs and 17 RBIs so far in 2025.

Friday, February 14, 2025

2025 Topps - The First Phillie!


I didn't hesitate earlier this year when the e-mail from Topps arrived in my inbox alerting me that boxes of 2025 Topps Series One were on sale from their website.  I've missed out in the past, having to go to the secondary market (eBay) and paying an upcharge when the need to open new baseball cards inevitably overpowered me in prior Februarys.  I didn't go crazy, adding just a hobby box and a blaster to my cart, and then waiting patiently for the February 12th release date.

The box was waiting for me when I arrived home on Wednesday, but sports practices required us to wait until Thursday to open the first packs of 2025 Topps as a family.  The first Phillie, this Alec Bohm card, came quickly within the first pack I opened.

Topps has been on a roll over the past several years, and with the exception of the misfire with 2020's design, the 2025 Topps design adds to four solid set designs in the past five years.  Updating my top ten gallery below, the 2025 set takes the place of the 2015 set in the #2 spot, with 2015 leaving the list after 10 years (!).  I've used this summary in the past to describe the new Topps flagship design, but this is what a baseball card in the year 2025 should look like - crisp, great photo, modern graphics, some non-intrusive glittery effects and a little bit of silver foil with the Topps logo.  I really like that we get the team's logo and name going up the side of a card, and the curved lines along the left border are a nice modern update to the 1982 Topps design.


We were particularly impressed with how Topps found a new way to display the player's position.  The diamond in the bottom right indicates where the player would stand on the field, and it's one of those things I can't believe we've not seen on a baseball card before.  The backs are nice and clean too, as has been the case in recent years, and kudos to Topps for once again making the card number easy to find and easy to read.  My only very minor complaint is that some of the teams have player's last names in black (not white) making those harder to read.  I would have preferred Topps go with all white for every last name for each team.

Revisiting my top ten ranking below, I might move 2022 and 2019 ahead of 2023.  I still don't like the bottom three, but 2021 may eventually take over the worst design spot in my mind.

Best - 2024 Topps #194
#2 - 2025 Topps #7
#3 - 2023 Topps #278
#4 - 2022 Topps #249
#5 - 2019 Topps #303
#6 - 2016 Topps #15
#7 - 2018 Topps #26
#8 - 2021 Topps #79
#9 - 2017 Topps #247
Worst - 2020 Topps #221

2025 Topps #7 Alec Bohm

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Game 128 - Walker's Outing Less Than Fastasmic

2019 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #10
Royals 7
Phillies 4
Game 128 - Friday Night, August 23rd in Kansas City
Record - 74-54, 1st Place, 5 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Salvador Perez and the Royals took some batting practice off Phillies' starter Taijuan Walker in this 7-4 series-opening loss.

What It Means:  Walker's spot in the rotation is tenuous at best, as he's now 3-5 with a 6.26 ERA in 13 starts for the season.  In his three starts since returning from the injured list, Walker is 0-2 with a 9.26 ERA.  In those three starts, he's pitched 11 2/3 innings, allowing 12 runs on seven walks and 16 hits.

What Happened:  The Phillies trailed 6-1 after three innings, and never really had a chance to get back into this game.  On a positive note, four Phillies had multi-hit games with J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh all adding doubles.

Featured Card:  Tyler Gilbert was called on to provide a few innings of mop-up relief following Walker's ouster.  He allowed a run on two hits and one walk and had one strikeout.  Gilbert was dealt by the Phillies to the Dodgers in February 2020 for Kyle Garlick, and he threw a no-hitter as a member of the Diamondbacks in 2021.  This is one of the minor league cards of his in my collection, from the 2019 IronPigs team set.

Transaction:  Austin Hays (of) was activated from the injured list and Cal Stevenson (of) was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Phillies at Twins - July 22nd to July 24th

1984 Topps Traded #22T
 
2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary Rookies #84R-JC

Monday and Tuesday 7:40, Wednesday 1:10

Target Field - Minneapolis, MN

At the Ballpark:  Tonight is St. Paul Saints night at the ballpark, with holders of a special theme ticket receiving a co-branded Saints/Twins jersey.  On Tuesday, on your way out of the ballpark, all fans will receive a Twins LED nightlight.

Philadelphia Phillies 63-36
1st Place in the N.L. East, 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (10-4, 2.76)
Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.70)
Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.54)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .297
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 66
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 22
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 71
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 22

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 11
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.70
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 126
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 13
Minnesota Twins 54-44
Tied for 2nd Place in the A.L. Central, 5 games behind the Guardians

Twins Probables
Bailey Ober (8-5, 4.14)
Simeon Woods Richardson (3-1, 3.51)
TBD

Twins Leaders
Average:  Carlos Correa - .308
Runs:  Willi Castro - 56
Home Runs:  Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Santana - 14
RBIs:  Carlos Correa and Ryan Jeffers - 47
Stolen Bases:  Willi Castro - 10

Wins:  Pablo Lopez and Bailey Ober - 8
ERA:  Joe Ryan - 3.65
Strikeouts:  Joe Ryan - 130
Saves:  Jhoan Duran - 15

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Game 67 - Phils Stumble in Boston

2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary Autographs
#84A-NP
Red Sox 8
Phillies 6
Game 67 - Wednesday Night, June 12th in Boston
Record - 46-21, 1st Place, 10 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' pitching had a rare off-night as the Red Sox won, 8-6.

What It Means:  It's been an amazing run for the Phillies so far in 2024, but they're not perfect and losses are still going to happen.

What Happened:  The Phillies held a 4-1 lead after four innings on RBIs from Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Whit Merrifield and David Dahl.  The wheels came off in the bottom of the fifth as the Red Sox started the inning with three straight singles and two runs scored on an errant throw from Merrifield.  Cristopher Sanchez was chased from the game and reliever Jose Ruiz gave up three more runs on a sacrifice fly and a two-run double by Emmanuel Valdez.  The Red Sox piled on in the sixth when David Hamilton hit a two-run home run off Spencer Turnbull.

Featured Card:  Former Phillie Nick Pivetta started this game, going four innings and allowing four runs on six hits and four walks.  Pivetta is 3-4 so far this season with a 3.88 ERA.  Since I've paying tribute all season to the 1984 Topps set, I thought this card was fitting for this post, and I can't honestly remember why or how I added this card to my collection.

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Phillies vs. Mets - June 8th to June 9th

2012 Topps Archives #161
 
2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #T84-90

Saturday 1:10 and Sunday 10:10

London Stadium - London, England

At the Ballpark:  The long-awaited and highly anticipated London Series is here, and my only hope is it doesn't slow down the Phillies' momentum.  The Mets are the home team for Saturday's game with the Phillies as home team for Sunday's game.  There are all kinds of things going on before, during and after these games with a website dedicated to the weekend's happenings.

The Phillies and Mets are the second set of teams to participate in the London Series, following the Cardinals and Cubs series last year.  MLB Ambassador and former Phillies great Chase Utley is in the middle of the action, and I'd expect to see other former Phillies pop up in London throughout the weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies 44-19
1st Place in the N.L. East, 8 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (9-1, 1.70)
Taijuan Walker (3-1, 5.73)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .291
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 44
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 14
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 50
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 17

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 9
ERA:  Ranger Suarez - 1.70
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 91
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 11
New York Mets 27-35
4th Place in the N.L. East, 16 1/2 games behind the Phillies

Mets Probables
Sean Manaea (3-2, 3.63)
Jose Quintana (1-5, 5.17)

Mets Leaders
Average:  Starling Marte - .276
Runs:  Pete Alonso - 36
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso - 14
RBIs:  Three tied with - 31
Stolen Bases:  Starling Marte - 10

Wins:  Reed Garrett - 5
ERA:  Luis Severino - 3.25
Strikeouts:  Luis Severino - 58
Saves:  Edwin Diaz - 5

Monday, June 3, 2024

Brewers at Phillies - June 3rd to June 5th

1984 Topps #374
 
2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #T84-4

Monday and Tuesday 6:40, Wednesday 4:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  On Wednesday, all fans in attendance will receive a pair of London 2024 Phillies sunglasses.

Milwaukee Brewers 36-23
1st Place in the N.L. Central, 7 games ahead of the Cardinals

Brewers Probables
Bryse Wilson (3-1, 3.19)
Colin Rea (4-2, 3.77)
Joe Ross (2-4, 4.50)

Brewers Leaders
Average:  William Contreras - .316
Runs:  William Contreras - 48
Home Runs:  Willy Adames and Rhys Hoskins - 9
RBIs:  William Contreras - 44
Stolen Bases:  Brice Turang - 20

Wins:  Jared Koenig - 5
ERA:  Freddy Peralta - 3.74
Strikeouts:  Freddy Peralta - 89
Saves:  Trevor Megill - 8
Philadelphia Phillies 41-19
1st Place in the N.L. East, 6 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.32)
Cristopher Sanchez (3-3, 2.83)
Aaron Nola (7-2, 3.03)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .304
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 44
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 14
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 49
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 16

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 9
ERA:  Ranger Suarez - 1.70
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 85
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 9

Friday, May 10, 2024

Phillies at Marlins - May 10th to May 12th

1984 Topps Traded #130T
    
2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #T84-10

Friday 7:10, Saturday 4:10 and Sunday 1:40

loanDepot park - Miami, FL

At the Ballpark:  There are a bunch of theme tickets available for Friday's and Saturday's games.  On Sunday, the first 3,500 fans will receive a Marlins Mother's Day clutch purse.

Philadelphia Phillies 26-12
1st Place in the N.L. East, 2 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (6-0, 1.72)
Taijuan Walker (2-0, 6.39)
Zack Wheeler (4-3, 1.64)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .346
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 30
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber - 9
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 32
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 10

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 6
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.64
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 63
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 7
Miami Marlins 10-29
5th Place in the N.L. East, 16 1/2 games behind the Phillies

Marlins Probables
Trevor Rogers (0-5, 6.15)
TBD
Braxton Garrett (0-0, 0.00)

Marlins Leaders
Average:  Luis Arraez - .299
Runs:  Luis Arraez and Bryan De La Cruz - 22
Home Runs:  Bryan De La Cruz - 8
RBIs:  Bryan De La Cruz - 21
Stolen Bases:  Jazz Chisolm - 8

Wins:  Three tied with - 2
ERA:  Ryan Weathers - 4.54
Strikeouts:  Ryan Weathers - 34
Saves:  Tanner Scott - 4

Friday, April 19, 2024

2024 Chachi #4 J.T. Realmuto


#10
Jacob Tyler Realmuto
Catcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  212
Opening Day Age:  33
Born:  March 18, 1991, Del City, OK
Acquired:  Traded by the Marlins to the Phillies for Will Stewart, Jorge Alfaro, Sixto Sanchez and international bonus slot money, February 7, 2019
Contract Status:  Signed through 2025
Major League Teams:  Miami Marlins 2014-2018; Philadelphia Phillies 2019-2024
World Series Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022

Informally known in Philadelphia as the BCIB (best catcher in baseball), J.T. Realmuto begins his sixth season with the Phillies after being acquired from the Marlins in February 2019.  He entered free agency following the 2020 season, re-signing with the Phillies for five years.  He's a three-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and a Gold Glove recipient in 2019 and 2022.  Realmuto enjoyed a career year for the National League Champions in 2022, batting .276 with career highs in home runs (22), RBIs (84) and stolen bases (21).  He started 130 out of 162 games in 2022 behind the plate, and caught every inning of all 17 Phillies postseason games.  Realmuto was just as durable in 2023, again making 130 starts behind the plate and helping to lead the Phillies to the NLCS.

2015 Topps Update #US398
2018 Topps #79
2019 Topps Update #US66
2022 Topps #180
2024 Topps #194

Other Notable Baseball Cards

First Mainstream Card:  2011 Topps Pro Debut
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2015-2024
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2024 Topps Heritage #159
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  132 as of 4/18/24.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2023 Chachi #44 - Hits for Cycle HL
2024 Chachi #4

Monday, April 8, 2024

Game 9 - Phils Can't Complete Sweep

2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball
35th Anniversary #T84-3
Nationals 3
, Phillies 2
Game 9 - Sunday Afternoon, April 7th in Washington
Record - 4-5, 2nd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Baserunning blunders and a lack of clutch hits doomed the Phillies in this 3-2 series ending loss to the Nationals.

What It Means:  They're off to St. Louis to open a three-game series against the Cardinals on Monday night.

What Happened:  Christopher Sanchez was effective in his 4 1/3 innings, but it seemed as if he was constantly trying to work out of trouble.  He was charged with three runs on six hits and three walks, taking his first loss of the year.  The top of the line-up was a combined 2 for 20, with reserves Whit Merrifield and Edmundo Sosa generating the only offense for the day.  In the second, Merrifield singled, stole second and came home on Sosa's single to left.  In the fifth, Sosa briefly tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run to center.  Trea Turner seemed to hit a home run in the ninth, but Jesse Winker made a leaping grab at the wall for the inning's first out.

Featured Card:  The set I'm highlighting this year with my custom Chachi cards and each series preview post is the 1984 Topps set.  Whenever I don't have an obvious selection for a game summary post, like this one, I'll feature a card that didn't make the cut for this season's upcoming series preview posts.  First up is this insert from 2019 Topps featuring current struggling Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

The First Phillie - 2024 Topps!


Topps mixed things up this year, making collectors wait until January 11th to reveal the design of its 2024 flagship set.  In year's past, the design was released in August or September and when the season came to a close with no announcement and no inkling as to what the 2024 Topps cards would look like, I was a little worried.  I prepared myself to be underwhelmed whenever the design was finally released.

My first thought on seeing the design in mid-January:  These are cool.  My second thought:  The neon-like team name is fantastic, and how has Topps not done this before?  This is what a baseball card in 2024 should look like.  It's a modern look with the foggy border elements Topps likes so much from recent years, but collectors are given a solid photo, a unique way of presenting the team name, the team logo and clearly legible names and positions.  It's a great looking card, and it springs to the top of my list of favorite Topps flagship releases over the past 10 years.

The set was officially released on Valentine's Day, but I didn't open my first packs until February 19th.  My wife Jenna found three blaster boxes at our local Target that day, and I happily opened all three after dinner.  In the past, we've made a big show of the first packs of the year, but this year was a little more subdued.  The First Phillie hunt was extremely anti-climatic, as J.T. Realmuto was staring at me atop the first plastic-wrapped bunch of 59 cards I took from the first box I opened.

This is an exciting design, and Topps clearly creates its base cards now to work well with multiple parallel versions.  It wasn't until I had the cards in hand that I realized the team name and photo borders have foil-like features to them.  Scans don't do the cards justice, as these elements can't really be seen unless you're holding them.  I had a blue-bordered Alec Bohm card in one of my three boxes, and I like the full blue border more than the smoky black and white border on the normal base cards.  That's my only complaint, and if I had designed the cards, each card would have a border color corresponding to the player's team.  I like the backs too - very clean, with complete career statistics as has always been the norm with Topps flagship sets.

Finally, it's a promising sign of things to come that three of my top four sets over the past 10 years are all recent releases.  With 2014 dropping off the list, here's a look at my updated rankings:

Best Five:  2024, 2015, 2023, 2022, 2019
Bottom Five:  2016, 2018, 2021, 2017, 2020

Best - 2024 Topps #194
#2 - 2015 Topps #309
#3 - 2023 Topps #278
#4 - 2022 Topps #249
#5 - 2019 Topps #303
#6 - 2016 Topps #15
#7 - 2018 Topps #26
#8 - 2021 Topps #79
#9 - 2017 Topps #247
Worst - 2020 Topps #221

2024 Topps #194 J.T. Realmuto