2010 Chachi Ex-Phillies

2010 Chachi Ex-Phillies #X1 Brett Myers

2010 Chachi Ex-Phillies #X2 Pedro Martinez

Twenty-eight people cast their votes in the poll to help decide which Topps set should be used as the basis for the 2010 Chachi set. Amazingly enough, the results fell in line with how I was hoping the poll would turn out (voters could vote more than once):

1974 Topps - 11 votes

1983 Topps - 10 votes

1971 Topps - 8 votes

1982 Topps - 2 votes

To commemorate the 1974 Topps set's victory, I'm featuring the first two ex-Phillies of the offseason. Brett Myers and Pedro Martinez filed for free agency on Friday, and they join Miguel Cairo and Pedro Feliz as members of the 2009 NL Champs who most likely won't return next year. I thought Brett Myers had pitched his final game as a Phillie back in May, but to his credit, he worked his way back from injury. It was a fun ride with Pedro, although I'm not convinced he was the right choice to start Game 6.

There's still some unfinished business with the 2009 Chachi set - I need to complete the World Series cards (unfortunately) and a checklist is needed. The 2010 Chachi set will debut on Opening Day, April 5, 2010.

2010 Chachi Set Poll

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Conclusion
In which a poll appears

1971 Topps #233 Larry Bowa
1974 Topps #214 Billy Grabarkewitz
1982 Topps #480 Steve Carlton
1983 Topps #780 Gary Matthews

So there you have it. The 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee narrowed the choices for next year's Chachi set down to the 1971, 1974 and 1983 Topps sets. (The 1982 Topps set is also in the final four, but the chairperson of the committee has realized the error of his ways.) We think we've picked our favorite, but we're interested in the input from the readers of this blog. Therefore, I've added a poll (look left) which will remain open until the end of the World Series. I must stress however, the poll's outcome will not be the deciding factor in choosing the final 2010 Chachi set design. It will be a big factor, but not the deciding factor.

I'd also appreciate reader's comments as to why they chose a certain set over another set. Why did you vote the way you did? Do you have any special memories of collecting these sets? Is anyone as upset as Doug is about 1982 Topps beating out 1987 Topps? The Committee thanks you in advance for your comments and feedback.

2010 Chachi Prototype #SV Shane Victorino

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 16
In which the final candidate is revealed

The 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee members were tired and ready to adjourn. I had left them in a state of befuddlement with the inclusion of the 1982 Topps design as a final four candidate. There was one final set to consider - the 1983 Topps set.

Pros: Two pictures! A clean design and a color scheme that does not offend the eyes. There could be an interesting 2010 Chachi insert set using the "Super Veteran" subset from the '83 Topps set. The set featured Record Breakers and Team Leaders and League Leaders and All-Star cards. Is this it? Is this the design of the 2010 Chachi set?

Cons: Again, I'm drawing a blank.

The Committee members are torn. We like the 1971, 1974 and 1983 designs the best out of the final four contenders.

Next: A poll appears.

2010 Chachi Prototype #JB Joe Blanton

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 15
In which mistakes may have been made

Committee members stared at me with puzzlement as I presented the 3rd candidate for the 2010 Chachi set. Upon reflection, I now realize the pink and orange of the 1982 Topps design does not go so well with the bright red of the current Phillies uniforms. Doug, still upset at the removal of 1987 Topps from consideration, actually threw a Wonder Pet at me this time. It was probably justified.

Pros: The In Action cards? Moving on . . .

Cons: Pink, orange and red together on a baseball card.

2010 Chachi Prototype #GD Greg Dobbs

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 14
In which finalist #2, a possible favorite, is revealed

The second of the 1970s Topps sets under consideration for the 2010 Chachi set is 1974 Topps. This set has a soft spot in my baseball card collecting heart as it was the second set my Dad and I tackled after completing the 1975 Topps set. I purchased the majority of the commons from Diamond Dust at the Ocean City Baseball Card shows of the mid-80s. A huge chunk of the set was delivered by Santa on Christmas Day 1987. But the 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee reminds me we need more analysis and less nostalgia. So we forge onwards.

Pros: More lively than 1973 Topps, yet in a classy way. The requisite team cards, leader cards, and Postseason cards are all there. There's the first ever Topps Traded set to use as inspiration for possible 2010 Highlight cards and there's the "floating heads" coaches cards. Most importantly, this set makes me happy.

Cons: I'm drawing a blank. Could this be the 2010 Chachi set design? Two more candidates await consideration . . .

2010 Chachi Prototype #JR Jimmy Rollins

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 13
The first of the final four

If you've been following along, you'll have figured out there's only four Topps sets I have not yet referenced in the previous 12 parts of 2010: A Chachi Odyssey. The 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee chose the 1971 Topps set as the first of its four finalists.

Pros: Sharp, classic design and I love the way the red Phillies uniform contrasts with the stark black border. This is the set I'm currently collecting, and there would be a nice feng shui to collecting the original and creating the new throughout the upcoming year. There are plenty of subsets within the original '71 Topps set for my Chachi set subsets - leader cards, team cards, multi-player cards and Postseason cards.

Cons: How much 1971 Topps is too much? Will the black borders burn me out mid-way through the summer of '10? Also, it's a minor point, but I'd need to create my own record breaker/highlight template as the 1971 Topps set doesn't include a highlights subset.

2010 Chachi Prototype #CL Cliff Lee

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 12
In which the Committee makes a difficult decision

After much deliberation, we finally agreed to remove the 1987 Topps set from consideration for the 2010 Chachi set's design. This one was tough, and there was some arguing for the first time among the Committee members. At one point, Doug threw a Wonder Pet and put himself into Time Out to cool off. No one said this was going to be an easy task. Finally, we agreed to remove the set, but only after noting in the minutes to the meeting that the 1987 Topps set will be the first set considered when the 2011 Chachi Set Planning Committee gathers.

Pros: Who doesn't like wood-grained themed baseball cards? This set would definitely look appealing representing the Phillies roster in 2010 on the Phillies Wall.

Cons: In the end, we just liked the remaining four choices better. It didn't help that this set lacks each player's position on the front of the card.

Coming next . . . the four finalists are revealed.

2010 Chachi Prototype #JW Jayson Werth

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 11
In which certain contenders are eliminated

The 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee next eliminated the 1985 Topps set from consideration for the 2010 Chachi set.

Pros: Another great set from my childhood. I like the way the newer Phillies logo looks on this card, and I've tweaked the color of the team name block from the original maroon to the more modern/retro red.

Cons: I guess the design is a little boring. When I was going over the Topps sets I wanted to use for the 2010 Chachi set, I automatically wrote off the '85 set in my mind. Trying to come up with the "cons" of the set, I'm hard pressed to figure out why I was so quick to eliminate the set. However, the committee has spoken and the '85 Topps set goes back into the pile for 2011 consideration.

2010 Chachi Prototype #RH Ryan Howard

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 10
In which certain contenders are eliminated

What two colors come to mind when you think of the Phillies? If you answered purple and green, you'll love the Phillies cards from the 1988 Topps set. This set is growing on me, but not enough to honor it with its own Chachi set in 2010.

Pros: It's got a basic design and I like the way the player's heads rise above the team name on the card.

Cons: As if the aforementioned purple and green color scheme wasn't enough, there were other factors contributing to this set's dismissal from consideration. The player's position isn't featured on the front of the card. The lack of many subsets within this set would make it difficult to create the annual Chachi set coaches cards, or the leader cards or the team card. Finally, there are just other Topps sets I like better.

2010 Chachi Prototype #EB Eric Bruntlett

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 9
In which certain contenders are eliminated

This elimination may be a little controversial, but the 1972 Topps set was given the boot from consideration for the 2010 Chachi set.

Pros: It's 1972 Topps. It's super groovy and far out. Can you dig it?

Cons: I'll be the first one to say I love this baseball card set. It's quirky, it's got bizarre subsets (Pictures of Awards, Boyhood Photos, In Action cards that in some cases display no action) and who could argue with the Electric Company vibe of the design? In the end, I just don't know if I have it in me to create a 70 to 80-card Phillies set using just this design. And the card fronts don't feature the player's position - a virtual must for any good Chachi set.

2010 Chachi Prototype #CH Cole Hamels

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 8
In which certain contenders are eliminated

The 1970 Topps set was the first to go as a contender for the 2010 Chachi set. This set intrigued me especially since the proprietor of White Sox Cards clued me in on the font most likely used for the set - a quaint little cursive font called Koffee.

Pros: I like the Koffee font. It's different and cool. The 1970 Topps set has a few of the requisite cards needed for a good Chachi set - the team card, multiple-player rookie cards for my coaches' cards, good checklists, leaders cards, even fancy black and white Postseason cards.

Cons: The design is a little drab, isn't it? If this is the design I'm going to be looking at all year on my Phillies Wall I want it to at least be a little more cheery.

2010 Chachi Prototype #CU Chase Utley

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 7
In which past 1980s Topps sets are rejected outright

We've eliminated three sets from the '70s, so it's time to take a few sets from the '80s off the table. I'm looking at you, 1986 Topps. This just isn't an eye-pleasing set, in my humble opinion. What appears to be a take on the famous 1975 Topps design, but in black and white, just fell flat. It was a cool set when it came out, but the design hasn't withstood the test of time.

The same can be said for the 1984 Topps set. I loved the 1983 Topps design (foreshadowing), but I was a little disappointed the first time I opened a wax pack of 1984 Topps. (Undoubtedly brought home from one of my Dad's Wawa trips.) The 1984 design just seemed like a reboot of the classy 1983 design, but with squares.

The 1989 Topps set never even had a chance. For those of you keeping score at home, here's where we stand:

Topps sets already used - 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981

Topps sets eliminated from contention - 1973, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1989

Topps sets under consideration - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988

Next, the 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee will begin to whittle down the "under consideration" list . . .

2009 Chachi Prototype #ST So Taguchi

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 6

In which past 1970s Topps sets are rejected outright

The 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee felt the best place to start when choosing the Topps set to represent the upcoming 2010 Chachi release was to eliminate the designs we felt certain we wouldn't be using. (Doug felt the best place to start was with a quick run around the house with his Mater and Lightning McQueen cars, but we quickly realized this was getting us nowhere.)

The 1973 Topps set is a great set burdened with a boring design. Ditto the 1978 Topps set, although I originally toyed with the idea of using the 1978 design as the basis for the 2009 Chachi set. I had used the 1976 and 1977 designs over the past few years and I didn't want to jinx the team by breaking the chain. Saner minds prevailed and I realized the design I chose for the 2009 Chachi set would not change the course or the fate of the 2009 Phillies.

The 1979 Topps set is a also a great set as a whole, but I've always been a little bored with its design. Thus we eliminated the 1973, 1978 and 1979 Topps sets from contention for the 2010 Chachi set.

2005 Chachi #63 Checklist 1-63

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 5

I topped off the entire inaugural set with the only respectable way to end any good baseball card set - with a checklist. Sets followed in 2006, 2007 and the magical year of 2008. We moved out of The Crick in 2006, we welcomed Doug to our little family, The Phillies Room got a new (and better) home and the Phillies Wall continues to be updated year-round. Earlier this year, I took the plunge into the blogosphere and decided to share my creations with folks who would appreciate the home-made baseball cards a little more than the casual observer.

Which brings us to today. After my moving soliloquy, the 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee is now ready to commit and forge ahead with picking a past Topps design to host the 2010 Chachi set. The following designs have been previously used and as such are out of contention for the 2010 set: 1975 Topps, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1980 Topps and 1981 Topps. Over the next few posts, we'll share the 2010 Chachi set rejects as well as the finalists for the 2010 set. A poll may appear, consideration will be given to comments received and the final design will be chosen at some point before the end of the 2009 Postseason.

That's right. I make my own baseball cards.

2005 Chachi #33 Ugueth Urbina

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 4

Thus the set was christened the 2005 Chachi set. In mid-June 2005, we had company over and they were given the obligatory tour of The Phillies Room (The Crick's first floor). As their attention turned to the Phillies Wall, one guest innocently queried, "How is it you already have a Ugueth Urbina Phillies baseball card? He was just acquired a few days ago."

I smiled casually as I responded, "Oh that? I make my own baseball cards." That's right casual observer of the Wall, I make my own baseball cards. Others wait for new players to appear on new teams through the usual baseball card channels. I wait for no one. I make my own baseball cards. I expected praise. I expected complete and total fawning over my mad graphic design skills. Instead, I received a skeptical look and a "Hmm, yeah . . . Hey is that a Jim Thome bobble head?"

Undeterred, the set continued to grow. Highlight cards were created to capture memorable moments from the season, team leader cards featured the year's best in terms of offense and pitching and I topped off the entire inaugural set with the only respectable way to end any good baseball card set . . . To be continued.

2005 Chachi #11 Jose Offerman

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 3

The most vexing new member of the Phillies, who most likely would never be featured on a Phillies baseball card . . . new utility infielder/pinch-hitter Jose Offerman. The Wall now had too many holes, so drastic measures were needed. Then and there, I decided to make my own baseball card set. I would make it stronger and faster than the other insufficient baseball card sets. I would scoff at the 2005 baseball card sets as they were released without their Clay Condrey, Matt Kata or Eude Brito cards. My Phillies team set would feature them all, and best of all, I would create my new set using my favorite baseball card design of all-time - that of the 1975 Topps set.

Using basic graphic design software, a scanner, a little twine and spare coat hangers, the set slowly came together. Holes were filled on the Wall. The empty sleeve reserved for situational reliever Aaron Fultz now hosted an actual Aaron Fultz baseball card. No more would I look away disgustingly at empty spots dotting the 25-man roster. All I needed was a name for my set, my creation. (At this point in my narrative, I realized 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee member Doug had wandered off and he was attacking his 1988 Score Juan Samuel card with Buzz Lightyear. I pressed on undaunted. Back to the Spring of 2005 . . . )

Somewhere outside The Crick, a motorcycle backfired (again). Our puppy Chachi proceeded to completely go bonkers-bananas and bark bark bark unrestrained at the offending motorcycle. The name of my set came to me then . . . To be continued.

2005 Chachi #1 Jimmy Rollins

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 2

It was a dark and stormy night in the Spring of 2005. We were still living in what we affectionately refer to now as The Crick. Our small town house was rattled nightly by the sound of our ill-reputed neighbors rolling what sounded like bowling balls down their stairs. In between sounds of backfiring motorcycles and rolling bowling balls, I struggled with a problem.

Since the early '80s, I had maintained a Phillies Wall. Either on a bulletin board in my 12th Street bedroom, on the back of a closet door or now in the first incarnation of The Phillies Room - otherwise known as the first floor of The Crick. The Phillies Wall faithfully and accurately reported the current Phillies roster seven days a week, twelve months a year using baseball cards of the current roster. If a roster move was made, the Wall was updated with the appropriate player's baseball card. The Wall never failed. The Wall was a constant. Even during the Dark Times of the early '00s, the Wall was updated.

Back to The Crick and the crux of my problem: I had little to no funds for acquiring new Phillies baseball cards at the time. I was hard pressed to update the Wall with recent cards of Placido Polanco, Kenny Lofton and the most vexing new member of the Phillies, who most likely would never be featured on a Phillies baseball card . . . To be continued.

2005 Chachi #00 Chachi Passaro

2010: A Chachi Odyssey, Part 1

With a precious few games remaining on the 2009 regular season schedule, and the Phillies clinging to their precarious lead in the NL East, the 2010 Chachi Set Planning Committee recently held its first meeting. The goal of the meeting was to decide which past Topps set should be used as the basis for the upcoming 2010 Chachi release. At its outset, the meeting did not go well.

Doug was insistent on using either the 1990 Donruss (with the original orange borders) or the 1988 Score design (with either purple or green borders) for the set. Jenna wondered aloud what a 2010 set comprised of just Greg Dobbs or Rheal Cormier would look like. Chachi preferred a set of just him in various states of sniffing, scratching or resting. I did the only thing I could to regain control of the meeting by reminding everyone present of the original purpose and meaning of the Chachi set. As I spoke, the committee members stared at me in rapt attention and with reverence as I recounted the definitive Chachi set origin story.

It was a dark and stormy night in the Spring of 2005 . . . To be continued.