Game 109 - Phils Blow Six-Run Lead in Loss to Fish

Philadelphia Phillies	6
Miami Marlins	8

1987 Topps Glossy Send-Ins #1

Wednesday Afternoon, July 29th

loanDepot park - Miami, FL
57-52, 2nd Place, 6 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies held a 6-0 lead at one point, which was steadily blown by Jesus Luzardo, Seth Johnson and Jonathan Bowlan as the Marlins came back to win, 8-6.

What It Means:  Definitely the worst loss of the trip.

What Happened:  Bryson Stott hit a two-run double in the third and Bryan De La Cruz added a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.  A solo home run from Trea Turner, an RBI triple from Bryce Harper and an RBI single from Alec Bohm gave the Phillies a 6-0 lead in the top of the fifth.  And then things started to unravel.  

Luzardo allowed three runs in the bottom of the fifth.  He departed in the seventh with one out and two runners on, and the Phillies holding a slim 6-4 lead.  Interim manger Don Mattingly opted for Johnson in the high leverage situation, with Johnson allowing both inherited runners to score, tying the game.  In the bottom of the eighth, Griffin Conine hit a two-run home run off Bowlan, breaking the tie and ultimately sending the Marlins to the victory.

Featured Card:  It doesn't seem as if Mattingly is a very good manager?  His bullpen usage has been strange and unpredictable, his line-ups have been odd and he recently clashed with Harper through the media.  There's a slim chance he's back in 2027 if the Phillies make the postseason and zero chance if they don't.

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All-Star Game Experience - Absolutely Amazing / All-Star Game - Complete Dud

2026 Chachi #59

2026 Chachi #58

2026 Chachi #56

2026 Chachi Friendly Encounters #7

American League All-Stars	4
National League All-Stars	0

Tuesday Night, July 14th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

One Sentence Summary:  Citizens Bank Park was electric during the pregame ceremonies and for all the other mid-game festivities, but the 96th All-Star Game itself was fairly boring, as the American League pitching completely shut down the National League, 4-0.

What It Means:  There was absolutely nothing during the game for a Phillies fan (or a National League fan for that matter) to cheer for.  Still, it was worth the six-year wait between the announcement of the game in 2019 and the playing of the game in 2026.

What Happened:  Cristopher Sanchez struck out Mike Trout to start the game, then allowed a single to Yordan Alvarez, walked Shea Langeliers and walked Bobby Witt, Jr. to load the bases.  Cody Bollinger brought home two runs with a single to center, eventually earning him the game's MVP honors.  Ben Rice singled to give the American League a 3-0 lead and that was pretty much the ballgame.  Sanchez would be saddled with the loss and a 27.00 ERA for his one inning of work.  The National League All-Stars managed three singles, never advancing a runner to second base.  Miguel Vargas hit a solo home run for the American League in the eighth.

Sanchez had a crappy night, and the other Phillies All-Stars, other than pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Jhoan Duran, didn't fare much better.  Kyle Schwarber led off as the DH, replacing the injured Shohei Ohtani.  Schwarber struck out swinging again Dylan Cease in the first and grounded out to second in the third.  Brandon Marsh started in right field, batting seventh.  He struck out twice - against Parker Messick in the second and Nick Martinez in the fifth.  Bryce Harper pinch-hit for Schwarber in the sixth, striking out in his only at-bat against Cade Smith.

Jesus Luzardo had the best night of all six Phillies All-Stars.  Entering in the fourth, Luzardo struck out Riley Greene and then induced two quick ground outs from Ernie Clement and Trout.  He threw a total of six pitches.  Jhoan Duran entered with one out in the top of the ninth, jogging to the mound in the dark while we all waited for his signature entrance music to start.  It eventually started, albeit late, and Duran needed just four pitches to retire Travis Bazzana and Ceddanne Rafaela after Randy Arozarena had reached on a single.

2026 Chachi #61

2026 Chachi #57

2026 Chachi #60

2026 Chachi #55

Featured Cards:  Since I started creating Chachi cards in 2005, a mainstay of my sets are the annual All-Star cards, and this year is no different.  I created cards for the six Phillies All-Stars, along with Don Mattingly, who served as a bench coach.

Field Report:  Doug and I were there!  Doug completed the trifecta of Futures Game, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and this was the second All-Star Game I've attended.  My Dad and I were at Veterans Stadium, cheering on Ricky Bottalico, back in 1996.  We arrived right before 5pm and waited in a crazy long line out to the parking lot to eventually snake its way through the entrance when gates opened.  We surveyed the MLB All-Star Fan  Zone, set up outside the ballpark and complete with vendors, food trucks and photo opportunities, before heading into the ballpark proper.  After a 20 minute or so wait to get into the team store, Doug found the Ohtani Ring the Bell t-shirt he wanted and he posed for a quick picture with the Rangers' mascot, Captain.

We then did a full lap of the ballpark, getting stuck momentarily in an unmoving crowd in Ashburn Alley, and enjoying our obligatory meal at Bull's BBQ, before settling into our seats in Section 415, Row 2.  It was hot, but there was an occasional breeze in the higher section, something we rarely experience down in Section 315.

The pregame ceremony is always my favorite part of the All-Star Game, and I love the full team introductions.  I was happy to see all the represented teams once again wearing their actual uniforms and not MLB created abominations for the game.  We loved how the starting line-up signed their own version of a Declaration after being announced, and singers Jennifer Hudson and Patti LaBelle were amazing.  There were flyovers, fireworks and a dramatic reading from actor and Phillies fan Miles Teller.  Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton threw out the ceremonial first pitches, caught by Scott Rolen and Cole Hamels.

The Sandlot tribute in the middle of the fifth inning was also very impressive.  With Ray Charles, Jr. singing "America the Beautiful" and the ballpark lights dimmed, kids rode their bikes, played catch, practiced their swings and traded baseball cards down on the field with the All Stars.  What followed was so many fireworks in such rapid succession, Doug and I were convinced they might actual blow up the ballpark.

The game itself stunk.  Sanchez struck out Trout to start the first and then quickly gave up three runs, letting all the air out of the celebratory balloon.  But I loved every minute of it, and I'm thrilled I could share it with my son, just like my Dad had done 30 years earlier.

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Game 60 - Phils Handle Padres; #StrikeOutALS; Photo Cards Return!

San Diego Padres	2
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2026 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards

Tuesday Night, June 2nd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
31-29, 2nd Place, 9 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Bryce Harper hit a key two-run home run and Aaron Nola enjoyed a strong start in this 3-2 series opening win against the Padres.

What It Means:  There's still not a lot of offense or hits in bunches, but a win is a win.

What Happened:  Nola gave up a two-run home run and only three other hits while striking eight over five innings.  The bullpen did its job, with Jose Alvarado earning the win, Orion Kerkering and Brad Keller earning holds and Jhoan Duran earning his 13th save.  Harper hit his blast in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 2-2.  Alec Bohm grounded into a double play in the sixth, scoring Brandon Marsh with the go-ahead run.  Marsh was 4 for 4 in the game.

Featured Card / Field Report:  It was a special night at the ballpark as we celebrated the annual ALS Awareness Night on Lou Gehrig Day.  Patients, families and caregivers came together to be recognized before and throughout the game, with the added bonus of ALS United Mid-Atlantic receiving a sizable gift from the Phillies and the night's sponsor, Asplundh.  

I enjoyed the game with family from the sponsor's suite, and we enjoyed visits from Dickie Noles, Milt Thompson and Gary Mathews, as well as a pregame visit with Greg Luzinski.  The highlight for my Mom was her getting to see the Duran light show during his entrance in person.  

 

Additionally, and also exciting, is the apparent return of the team-issued photo card sets for sale the ballpark for $5 each.  I didn't see these sets for sale yet in the wild, but individual cards were used as identifiers within mystery grab bags sold at the game containing an autographed hat or ball.  Thanks to fellow long-time collectors Rick and Steve for the head's up on the apparent return of the set, missing since 2022.  At the top of the post is the Don Mattingly card from the set, found within one of the grab bags we purchased with an autographed Mattingly Phillies hat, and the first official Mattingly Phillies card.

Transaction:  Prior to the game, Nola (rhp) was activated from the paternity list and Nolan Hoffman (rhp) was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.

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Game 29 - The Mattingly Era Begins

San Francisco Giants	0
Philadelphia Phillies	7

1985 Donruss #7

Tuesday Night, April 4th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
10-19, Tied for 4th Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies played better baseball in interim manager Don Mattingly's first game at the helm, shutting out the Giants, 7-0.

What It Means:  It was a weird day to be a Phillies fan.  Popular manager Rob Thomson was fired, and the clear consensus was that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was more to blame for the current debacle than Thomson.  Still, I can't argue against needing a change, and the easiest and quickest way to do that is to fire the manager.  Thomson will likely return to the organization at some point in a front office role.  Mattingly, a likely future Hall of Famer, becomes the 57th manager in franchise history and I was interested to learn he's the oldest ever to manage his first game with the club.  Mattingly had previously managed with the Dodgers (2011-15) and Marlins (2016-22).

What Happened:  Jesus Luzardo figured something out and threw seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight.  Orion Kerkering and Tim Mayza pitched the final two scoreless innings, striking out four combined Giants batters.  Trea Turner was 4 for 5, with Bryce Harper, Adollis Garcia and Alec Bohm all collecting doubles in the 11-hit game for the Phillies.

Featured Card:  On any other day, Luzardo would be the easy choice for featured card, but 11-year-old me would have been thrilled to learn the player on this highly coveted card would one day manage the Phillies.

Transaction:  Thomas was "relieved of his duties" per the official press release, which is a gentler way of saying fired.  Mattingly was promoted to interim manager, third base coach Dusty Wathan was promoted to bench coach and IronPigs' manager Anthony Contreras was promoted to third base coach.  Roster-wise, Jonathan Bowlan (rhp) was activated from the injured list and Nolan Hoffman (rhp) was optioned down.

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The Phillies Room: January Notes

1984 Donruss #248

2025 Topps Update #US47

2025 Topps Holiday #H33

2024 Topps Now Road to Opening Day Bonus #ODB30

Stay on target . . . getting closer . . .

January 5 - Donny Baseball Joins Phils:  It's fascinating to me when an iconic player known for his time with another organization is suddenly wearing the Phillies' red pinstripes.  After weeks of rumors, the Phillies made it official and named Don Mattingly their next bench coach.  Mike Calitri, who had been the bench coach for Rob Thomson since June 2022, has been moved into a new position as Major League field coordinator.

Mattingly had previously been the bench coach for the Blue Jays (2023-25).  He says he has no plans to manage again, and if that's the case, he'll retire with a 885-941 lifetime managerial record while leading the Yankees on an interim basis (2007), Dodgers (2010-15) and Marlins (2016-22).  Along with his recent stint with the Blue Jays, Mattingly coached with the Yankees (2004-07) and Dodgers (2008-10).  His son, Preston Mattingly, is the Phillies' current GM.

Mattingly spent 14 seasons with the Yankees (1982-95), winning a batting title in 1984 and MVP honors in 1985.  He was a nine-time Gold Glove winner, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and a six-time All-Star during a playing career that never saw the Yankees reach the postseason.

January 13 - Trade with Bucs Nets Shugart:  The Phillies acquired Chase Shugart (rhp), whose name will likely auto-correct to Sugar all season, from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league prospect Francisco Loreto (inf).  In 35 games last season, Shugart was 4-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 45 innings pitched.  Loreto, just 18 years old, played in 47 games for the FCL Phillies last summer, batting .237 with 10 doubles.

January 16 - Bichette to Mets / J.T. Returns:  Neither signing had been officially announced on this day, but it was widely reported that Bo Bichette was poised to sign a three-year deal with the rival Mets, while J.T. Realmuto (c) would return to the Phillies on a three-year contract.  The Bichette signing was a shock, as the Phillies had seemed destined to sign the infielder, and in fact had offered him a seven-year deal worth $200 million.  The Mets swooped in after losing the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes and offered Bichette three years at $126 million.  A few hours later, it was announced Realmuto was returning to the club on a three-year, $45 million deal.

January 20 - J.T. Officially Returns / Wilson Departs:  The Realmuto signing was made official and surprisingly, Weston Wilson (inf) was designated for assignment to open up a 40-man roster spot.  Two days later, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles.  In parts of three seasons with the Phillies, Wilson batted .242 in 100 games, with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.  He memorably hit a home run in his first at-bat on the same night Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter, back on August 9, 2023.  And on August 15, 2024, Wilson hit for the 10th cycle in Phillies history.