MacPhail Joins the Phillies

2015 Chachi #47

Brewers 7, Phillies 4
Game 78 - Monday Night, June 29th in Philadelphia
Record - 27-51, 5th Place, 16 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The last place Brewers outslugged the last place Phillies, and the Brewers pitchers kept the Phillies off the board for the last seven innings in a 7-4 victory.

What It Means:  Pretty much more of the same stuff.

What Happened:  Starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan saw his ERA increase to 5.76 by allowing six runs in five innings.  The Phillies jumped out to a 4-1 lead after two innings, but couldn't put anything else together the rest of the game.  Cesar Hernandez, now the everyday second baseman with Chase Utley out, stayed hot with two more hits.

Field Report/Featured Card:  My friend Tom and I took in this game from the Hall of Fame Club and we sat below the booth where soon-to-be club president Andy MacPhail was enjoying (?) the ballgame.  MacPhail was introduced at a press conference yesterday afternoon as Pat Gillick's replacement in the front office at the conclusion of the 2015 season.  It was a fairly monumental day for the franchise, and the Phillies website does a better job of summarizing the happenings than I would here and here.

I debated whether or not MacPhail should be part of the regular Chachi set this year, and I ultimately decided to go ahead and give him a card.  There was precedent to do this in the hallowed history of the Chachi sets, as both Gillick and Ruben Amaro, Jr. had received their own Chachi cards upon assuming the role of the team's general manager.  I figured MacPhail's hiring was bigger and more consequential than those hirings, so he gets a card.

And Andy, if you happen to read this:  Call or e-mail me.  I have ideas.

2005 Chachi #61

2008 Chachi #85

Planning the 2016 Chachi Set - Part Two

1982 Topps #713

1984 Topps #358

1986 Topps #183

1987 Topps #755

I'm continuing to take a look at the candidates for the 2016 Chachi set.  Here are my quick thoughts on each of the remaining Topps baseball card designs between 1980 and 1989 that haven't yet been used for a Chachi set.  Part One, looking at the remaining designs from 1970 to 1979 can be found here.  What does everyone else think?

1980 Topps - Design already used for the 2009 Chachi set.

1981 Topps - Design already used for the 2006 Chachi set.  Here's a little secret though . . . If I ever feel the need to go back and use a design for a second time, this would be the set I'd go back to.  I just love the little hats.

1982 Topps - I had once openly mocked this set's design as I just didn't think the pink and orange color scheme that Topps chose for the Phillies in this set would ever work with modern photos.  I'm completely re-thinking that prejudice and I'm shocked that this set has now crept to the top of the "defiintely possible" list for the 2016 Chachi set.

1983 Topps - Design already used for the 2011 Chachi set.

1984 Topps - I don't mind this design, but I'll let you know that finding two photos of some of the more obscure Phillies for the 2011 Chachi set was a royal pain.  (I'm looking right at you, Mike Zagurski.)  I can't imagine the 2016 Phillies are going to field a team of well known players with readily available photos, so I may need to pass on this design for a few more years.

1985 Topps - Design already used for the 2015 Chachi set.

1989 Topps #438

1986 Topps - I wouldn't have a problem using this set's design, but there are too many other sets available that I like more than this one.

1987 Topps - This is a great design and I'd love to finish up my project of creating a 1987 Topps style font.  I've got a good start on this project, but I just need to find a spare day to wrap it up.  I'll use this design at some point, but probably not in 2016.

1988 Topps - Design already used for the 2014 Chachi set.

1989 Topps - This set's design has never been one of my favorites, and it would be tough to replicate the script font used for the each team's name.  I've tried creating custom 1989 Topps cards before and I had a tough time with the spacing of the letters in each player's name.  Cross this one off the list for the foreseeable future.

Brewers at Phillies: June 29th to July 2nd

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:05, Thursday 6:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Brewers 29-48, 5th Place in the N.L. Central, 22 1/2 games behind the Cardinals
Phillies 27-50, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 15 1/2 games behind the Nationals

Brewers Probables:  Jimmy Nelson (4-8, 4.34), Taylor Jungmann (2-1, 2.74), Kyle Lohse (4-9, 6.28), Matt Garza (4-10, 5.52)
Phillies Probables:  Sean O'Sullivan (1-5, 5.34), Cole Hamels (5-6, 3.26), Aaron Harang (4-10, 3.56), Adam Morgan (1-0, 1.59)

At the Ballpark:  The Phillies' annual two (extremely impressive) fireworks shows take place on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Brewers Leaders
Average:  Adam Lind - .291
Runs:  Ryan Braun - 42
Home Runs:  Ryan Braun - 15
RBIs:  Ryan Braun - 49
Stolen Bases:  Jean Segura - 10

Wins:  5 tied with - 4
ERA:  Mike Fiers - 4.14
Strikeouts:  Mike Fiers - 93
Saves:  Francisco Rodriguez - 15

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Ben Revere - .289
Runs:  Ben Revere - 40
Home Runs:  Ryan Howard - 13
RBIs:  Ryan Howard - 36
Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 18

Wins:  Cole Hamels - 5
ERA:  Cole Hamels - 3.26
Strikeouts:  Cole Hamels - 106
Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 14

1985 Topps #203

1985 Topps #556

1985 Topps Appreciation:  Bob McClure and Sixto Lezcano were teammates on the Brewers between 1977 and 1980.  Lezcano came to the Phillies in late August 1983 as an added bat off the bench for the pennant run and an occasional late-inning defensive replacement in the outfield.

McClure is the Phillies current pitching coach, although given the inevitable shake-up that's coming to the Phillies front office and coaching staff I hope he doesn't have a long-term lease on his place of residence in Philadelphia.

2015 Phillies Team Issue 2 #45 Pete Mackanin CO

Phillies 8, Nationals 5 (Game 2)
Game 77 - Sunday Afternoon, June 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 27-50, 5th Place, 15 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The offense, led by Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera, pounded out 16 hits in the 8-5 win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  Interim manager Pete Mackanin earns his first win at the helm for the Phillies.  The last place Brewers visit Citizens Bank Park for four games beginning tonight.

What Happened:  Franco went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs, while Herrera went 3 for 5 with two runs scored.  Cesar Hernandez had his second career four-hit game.  Every starter in this game, including starting pitcher Severino Gonzalez, had a hit with the exception of the struggling Carlos Ruiz.

Gonzalez became the second Phillies starting pitcher, along with Adam Morgan, to win a ballgame since May 24th.  That's a span of 32 games.

Featured Card:  Mackanin had absolutely no clue he'd be managing the Phillies when he woke up on Friday morning.  This is his latest Phillies card, listing him as the third base coach, from the team's second series photo card set.  I'm very curious to see if a new set pops up at the ballpark this week, or if they'll go through the trouble of pulling the Ryne Sandberg card.

Transaction:  With the unexpected double header, the Phillies recalled Gonzalez and then immediately optioned him back to Lehigh Valley following the game.

1970 Topps #149 Billy Champion

Nationals 3, Phillies 2 (Game 1)
Game 76 - Sunday Afternoon, June 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 26-50

One Sentence Summary:  Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals cruised to a 3-2 win over the Phillies in the first game of a double header.

What It Means:  With the rain-out yesterday, the Phillies and Nationals played two on Sunday.

What Happened:  Strasburg allowed two runs on four hits while striking out nine.  A costly error from Jeff Francoeur and a passed ball by Cameron  Rupp (actually a wild pitch from Jake Diekman) led to two unearned Nationals runs.

Featured Card:  The 2016 Chachi Set Planning Committee had some extra time this morning to meet, and it looks as if we might be leaning towards the 1970 Topps design for the 2016 Chachi set.  The fine proprietor of The Shlabotnik Report has weighed in with his thoughts (and a font tip - Koffee - thank you very much) but we're waiting to hear from everyone else.  What do you think?

Planning the 2016 Chachi Set - Part One

1970 Topps #486

1971 Topps #77

1972 Topps #43

1978 Topps #715

The 2016 Chachi Set Planning Committee is meeting much earlier this year than in normal years, given that we've all just about had it with the 2015 edition of these Philadelphia Phillies and we're already daydreaming about 2016.  As we've done a few years in the past, we've decided to share our thought process with you, those dozens of (tens of? few?) Chachi set fans who eagerly await the announcement of the next year's design each August or September.

I still have quite a few Topps baseball card designs to choose from between the years of 1970 and 1989, and I haven't yet reached that point where I'm willing to entertain set designs from 1990 onwards.  The Planning Committee and I have our favorites among the remaining designs, but I wanted to seek input from others as to the 2016 set's design.

This is part one of a three-part post, first looking at the Topps baseball card designs from 1970 to 1979.  Please leave a comment, share with others and let us know what you think!

1970 Topps - This is in my personal top four.  It's a simple design, easy enough for me to replicate given my basic knowledge of graphic design software.  (Even though I don't think I have the cursive font matched up exactly right on the prototype I'm working on.)  But it might be a little too simple, or perhaps a little too bland?

1971 Topps - This design really intrigues me as well, and I'm come very close to using it in the past.  I'm motivated to use this design for a set before Topps gets to it in 2020 for its Topps Heritage set.

1972 Topps - I love this set and I love this design, but I have no interest in using the design for a Chachi set.  I like to customize the designs for cards for my kids and special occasions, and this very unique design doesn't really lend itself to much customization.  (Unless you're this guy, who has way more talent than I do.)

1973 Topps - Design already used for the 2013 Chachi set.

1974 Topps - Design already used for the 2010 Chachi set.

1975 Topps - Design already used for the 2005 Chachi set.

1976 Topps - Design already used for the 2007 Chachi set.

1977 Topps - Design already used for the 2008 Chachi set.

1978 Topps - I've definitely threatened to use this design in the past, but similar to the 1972 Topps set, I fear I couldn't pull it off.  The script font for the team names is troublesome and although most post-1978 expansion team names are now available (with the exception of the Marlins), I wouldn't be able to customize the cards for my kids.  This is a minor hurdle to get over, which also places this set's design in my personal top four.

1979 Topps - Design already used for the 2012 Chachi set.

Of the designs remaining between 1970 and 1979, the realistic candidates are 1971 and 1978, with 1970 in there as a possibility.  I'll have a post up soon looking at the Topps baseball card designs from 1980 to 1989.

2015 Chachi #45 Adam Morgan

#39

Adam Christopher Morgan

Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  195

Born:  February 27, 1990, Tampa, FL

Home:  Marietta, GA

Drafted:  Selected by the Phillies in the 3rd round of the June 2011 draft

Teams:  Phillies 2015

Acquired:  Via draft

2012 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #23

2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop #CC-PP5

9 Morgan Baseball Cards in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  2012 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #23
First Phillies Card:  2013 Bowman Chrome Cream of the Crop Mini Refractors #CC-PP5
First Phillies Topps Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
Latest Card:  2015 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #19

First Chachi Base Card:  2015 Chachi #45

Morgan Games I've Attended per Hardball Passport

N/A

Cards and game statistics through 6/26/15.

Skipper Sandberg Resigns

2015 Phillies Team Issue 2 #23

Nationals 5, Phillies 2
Game 75 - Friday Night, June 26th in Philadelphia
Record - 26-49, 5th Place, 15 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Max Scherzer took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as the Nationals easily defeated the Phillies, 5-2.

What It Means:  Interim manager Pete Mackanin is 0-1.

What Happened:  Scherzer, who no-hit the Pirates in his last start, lost a perfect game when Freddy Galvis doubled to right with one out in the sixth.  Aaron Harang lost his seventh straight game.  Ben Revere hit his first career pinch-hit home run in the eighth.  Domonic Brown had an awful game in the field (dropped a fly ball leading to an unearned run) and on the basepaths (caught in a run down between third and home - to end the game - after ignoring a stop sign).

2015 Chachi #46

Featured Cards:  At 3:30 in the afternoon, 3 1/2 hours before game time, the Phillies hastily called a press conference so that Ryne Sandberg could announce he's quitting as the team's manager.  Sandberg's reasons for resigning were (1) he hates losing and (2) he knew a shake-up was coming soon and he didn't want to be in the way of the new regime.

Sandberg joins Eddie Sawyer and Bob Skinner as Phillies managers to have resigned and he leaves with a 119-159 (.428) record as manager.  That's actually the worst winning percentage for a Phillies manager since Skinner's .423 in 1968 and 1969.  Mackanin steps in as the interim manager (for now) with assistant hitting coach John Mizerock taking over as the third base coach.

This was a shocking development, as most of us assumed the 3:30 press conference was to announce the arrival of Andy MacPhail to the front office to attempt to right the sinking Phillies ship.  I certainly understand Sandberg's motivations and the whole ordeal is just one more strike against this already awful season.

The card at the top is Sandberg's likely last card featuring him as a manager of the Phillies, and Mackanin earns an interim manager card in this year's Chachi set.

Nationals at Phillies: June 26th to June 28th

Friday 7:05, Saturday 3:05 and Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Nationals 40-33, 1st Place in the N.L. East, 3 1/2 games ahead of the Mets
Phillies 26-48, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 14 1/2 games behind the Nationals

Nationals Probables:  Max Scherzer (8-5, 1.76), Gio Gonzalez (5-4, 4.41), Stephen Strasburg (4-5, 5.90)
Phillies Probables:  Aaron Harang (4-9, 3.41), Adam Morgan (1-0, 1.59), Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.30)

At the Ballpark:  It's a good weekend to be a kid at Citizens Bank Park.  All kids will receive a W.B. Mason Phillies collectible truck on Saturday night and then they'll get a Phanatic alternate Phillies jersey on Sunday afternoon.

Nationals Leaders
Average:  Bryce Harper - .340
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 53
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 24
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 58
Stolen Bases:  Denard Span and Michael Taylor - 8

Wins:  Max Scherzer - 8
ERA:  Max Scherzer - 1.76
Strikeouts:  Max Scherzer - 123
Saves:  Drew Storen - 21

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Ben Revere - .292
Runs:  Ben Revere - 39
Home Runs:  Ryan Howard - 13
RBIs:  Ryan Howard - 36
Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 18

1985 Topps #501

Wins:  Cole Hamels - 5
ERA:  Cole Hamels - 3.26
Strikeouts:  Cole Hamels - 106
Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 13

1985 Topps Appreciation:  On July 24, 1986, the Phillies traded Tom Foley and Lary Sorensen to the Montreal Expos for Dan Schatzeder and Skeeter Barnes.  The true tragedy of this deal is that Barnes never got a chance to play for the Phillies, finishing out his 1986 season with the Portland Beavers.  He became a free agent following the season, signing with the Cardinals and ending any hope of the Phillies franchise having two Skeeter's in its all-time player roster.

The other Skeeter, of course, being Skeeter Newsome, who played parts of two seasons with the Phillies in 1946 and 1947.

1974 Johnny Pro Phillies - Complete Set (at least by my standards)

Several years ago, I began a quest to collect a complete Phillies team set of 1974 Johnny Pro Phillies cards.  I was able to easily (and cheaply) add 11 of the 12 cards to my collection, but the twelfth card, the elusive (and expensive) Mike Schmidt card, remained the sole card I needed to complete this team set.

To provide a little more background on this set, here's what I wrote about it back in November 2012:

I wasn't aware of the awesomeness of the 1974 Johnny Pro Phillies set until adding the Bill Robinson card to my collection last month at the Valley Forge card show.  Johnny Pro Enterprises (not sure what they did back in the day) issued two regional baseball card sets in the early '70s.  Their first set was released in 1973 and featured 28 different Orioles cards on a green background.  In 1974, Johnny Pro issued 12 Phillies cards on a white background.

The player photos on these cards were designed to be perforated and displayed in a stand that could also be punched out of the white background.  Which brings us to the reason for this post.

A few weeks ago, I was browsing eBay and came across a partial set of eleven 1974 Johnny Pro Phillies cards for sale, but the photos had long ago been separated from their original white backgrounds.  The picture accompanying the auction is shown at the top of this post.  Most importantly to me, included in the lot was the Schmidt card I needed.  I was one of only two bidders, and I was a little surprised my low bid actually won the auction.  Sure, the Schmidt card is missing its background, but I'm now considering my 1974 Johnny Pro Phillies set to be complete.

A few of these cards may need to be upgraded at some point, but the full gallery of this terrific oddball set from 1974 is presented below.

Memory Lane
10/3/12 - Baseball Card Show Report - Valley Forge
11/8/12 - Two More Added
12/4/12 - Four More to Go

2015 Topps Stickers #194 Cole Hamels

Yankees 10, Phillies 2
Game 74 - Wednesday Afternoon, June 24th in New York
Record - 26-48, 5th Place, 14 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Cole Hamels struggled against the Yankees and the Phillies came back down to Earth in a 10-2 loss.

What It Means:  The Phils will enjoy an off day Thursday and then welcome the first place Nationals to town for a three game weekend series.

What Happened:  Hamels allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings.  Justin De Fratus also got hit hard, allowing four runs in the final two frames of the ballgame.  Maikel Franco cooled off with an 0 for 4 day.

Featured Card:  Each time Hamels starts a game for the Phillies, I honestly think it's his last one.

Transaction:  The Phillippe Aumont era is officially over.  Aumont elected free agency rather than accept his demotion back to the IronPigs after being designated for assignment.

Departed During Season
Grady Sizemore (6/1/15) - Released  (Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization 6/15/15)
Phillippe Aumont (6/24/15) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency

Arrived During Season
Kevin Correia (6/8/15) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the San Francisco Giants organization

2015 Topps Museum Collection #24 Maikel Franco

Phillies 11, Yankees 6
Game 73 - Tuesday Night, June 23rd in New York
Record - 26-47, 5th Place, 13 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  It was the Maikel Franco show (again) as the young third baseman drove in five runs (again) and led the Phillies on an 11-6 romp of the Yankees.

What It Means:  I wish I knew!  While violent storms were rolling through South Jersey Tuesday night, we (briefly) lost power and we were without cable, internet or cell service for the evening*.  I wanted desperately to listen to this game, but I was in the dark (literally).

What Happened:  Unbelievably but true, Franco became the first Phillies player with back-to-back five RBI games since the RBI became an official statistic in 1920.  Cesar Hernandez and Ben Revere both remained hot with three hits a piece and Cameron Rupp hit his first career home run.

Featured Card:  Of course Franco gets the honors for the second game in a row.

Transaction:  Following this game, Chase Utley was placed on the disabled list with ankle inflammation.  I find it intriguing that the Phillies are saying that Utley is out "indefinitely" which could be one way the club lets the struggling second baseman ride off quietly into the sunset.  Only time will tell.  Darin Ruf was recalled from the IronPigs to take Utley's spot on the roster.

*And last night too, but The Phillies Room World HQ is now back up and running!

2015 Donruss The Rookies #5 Maikel Franco

Phillies 11, Yankees 8
Game 72 - Monday Night, June 22nd in New York
Record - 25-47, 5th Place, 13 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez led the biggest offensive outburst of the season for the Phillies, as the team won in the Bronx, 11-8.

What It Means:  The Phillies have a two-game winning streak for the first time since June 2nd and 3rd.

What Happened:  Franco enjoyed his first career multi-home run game, with blasts in the first and sixth innings.  He'd finish the game having gone 4 for 5 with five RBIs and he also made a fantastic diving stop on a hard hit ground ball in the bottom of the sixth.  Hernandez knocked in a pair of runs and scored three times.  Ben Revere also had a three-hit night.  (The only hitless starter for the Phillies was DH Chase Utley who went 0 for 4, dropping his season average to .179.)

Featured Card:  There are plenty of 2015 Franco baseball cards out there, and I hope I keep getting to show them off this season!

2015 Chachi #44 Seth Rosin

#60

Seth Daniel Rosin

Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'6"  Weight:  250

Born:  November 2, 1988, Fargo, ND

Home:  Shoreview, MN

Drafted:  Selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the June 2010 draft

Teams:  Texas Rangers 2014, Phillies 2015

Acquired:  Returned by the Texas Rangers from the Rule 5 draft, April 11, 2014

2013 Topps Pro Debut #203

6 Rosin Baseball Cards in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  2013 Topps Pro Debut #203
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Topps Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
Latest Card:  2015 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #25

First Chachi Base Card:  2015 Chachi #44

Rosin Games I've Attended per Hardball Passport

N/A

Cards and game statistics through 6/20/15.

2013 Topps Heritage Minor League #71 Adam Morgan (& Paul McCartney!)

Phillies 9, Cardinals 2
Game 71 - Sunday Afternoon, June 21st in Philadelphia
Record - 24-47, 5th Place, 13 1/2 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  Adam Morgan was stellar in his Major League debut and the offense came to life in a 9-2 Phillies win over the Cardinals.

What It Means:  The Phillies will try to win two in a row when they open a series against the Yankees in the Bronx tonight.

What Happened:  Morgan allowed a run and struck out six in his 5 2/3 innings of work.  Maikel Franco and Ben Revere each had three hits and Andres Blanco added a three-run pinch-hit home run in the seventh.  Cesar Hernandez had perhaps the biggest hit in this game, lacing a line drive single to right with two outs in the second that gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

Featured Cards:  Four of the nine Morgan baseball cards in my collection (to date) feature him with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, including this card from the 2013 Topps Heritage Minor League set.

2014 Topps Heritage
News Flashbacks #NF-TB

Bonus Beatles-Related Content:  Since my Mom first gave me her copy of the White Album when I was a wee lad, I've been a huge Beatles fan.  Some of my family and friends would argue that "huge" is a bit of an understatement as I've voraciously listened to all the music, read all the books and followed each of the Beatles' solo careers faithfully.  If you're interested, I recently put together a playlist in iTunes with Ringo Starr's 50 greatest solo songs (1970-2015).  But I digress.

On Sunday night, my wife and my two sons enjoyed Paul McCartney's concert at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.  It was my fourth time seeing Paul live (1989, 2005, 2010 and now 2015) and it was an amazing show.  Our youngest son Ben tired quickly and napped throughout most of the show while our oldest son Doug clapped and sang and shouted every few songs, "This is AWESOME!"  A splendid time was indeed had by all.

Phillies at Yankees: June 22nd to June 24th

Monday and Tuesday 7:05, Wednesday 1:05
Yankee Stadium - New York, NY

Phillies 24-47, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 13 1/2 games behind the Nationals
Yankees 38-31, 2nd Place in the A.L. East, 1 game behind the Rays

Phillies Probables:  Kevin Correia (0-1, 1.69), Sean O'Sullivan (1-5, 4.79), Cole Hamels (5-5, 2.96)
Yankees Probables:  Michael Pineda (8-3, 3.54), CC Sabathia (3-7, 5.31), Adam Warren (5-4, 3.62)

At the Ballpark:  The Yankees have give-aways scheduled for all three games against the Phillies.  Tonight is Alzheimer's Awareness night with the first 18,000 fans receiving a Yankees hat.  Tomorrow night's give-away is a collectible Yankees cup and the first 18,000 fans on Sunday will receive a Dunkin' Donuts gift card.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Ben Revere - .282
Runs:  Ben Revere - 34
Home Runs:  Ryan Howard - 13
RBIs:  Ryan Howard - 34
Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 17

Wins:  Cole Hamels - 5
ERA:  Cole Hamels - 2.96
Strikeouts:  Cole Hamels - 103
Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 13

Yankees Leaders
Average:  Alex Rodriguez - .282
Runs:  Brett Gardner - 49
Home Runs:  Mark Teixeira - 18
RBIs:  Mark Teixeira - 49
Stolen Bases:  Brett Gardner - 15

Wins:  Michael Pineda - 8
ERA:  Michael Pineda - 3.54
Strikeouts:  Michael Pineda - 87
Saves:  Andrew Miller - 17

1985 Topps #636

1985 Topps #284

1985 Topps Appreciation:  On June 30, 1984, the Phillies traded Marty Bystrom to the Yankees for Shane Rawley and Keigh Hughes.  Bystrom had been a hero for the 1980 World Champions, going 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in the crucial month of September.  But injuries seemingly derailed his career and he'd never quite recapture the glory he found in September 1980.

This deal is one of the few from the early 1980s that actually worked out in the Phillies favor.  Rawley was one of the team's most reliable starting pitchers between the lean years of 1984 and 1988.  Over 145 games, he went 59-48 and made the All-Star team in 1986.