The Phillies Room: 2011

Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Game 91 - Flush It

Philadelphia Phillies 1

Kansas City Royals 15

2010-22 Philadelphia Phillies Alumni Photocards
Monday Afternoon, July 6th

Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City, MO
50-41, 2nd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Christopher Sanchez and the Phillies were stunningly demolished by the Royals in this 15-1 lopsided loss.

What It Means: This wasn't at all what was expected when Sanchez took the mound against the last place Royals. The Phillies are right back at it on Tuesday, opening a three-game set in Cincinnati against the Reds. I would think there will be some bullpen roster moves made prior to the start of that series.

What Happened: Sanchez was in trouble from the start, and he'd allow nine runs on 12 hits in a shortened 3 1/3 inning outing. A costly error by Trea Turner prolonged that inning and indirectly led to the Royals scoring their first six runs. The Royals would score in every inning of this game, the first time that had happened to the Phillies since 1923. They'd bang out 22 hits, requiring Garrett Stubbs to pitch the final inning for the Phillies. The offense was 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, leaving 15 runners on base in total.

Featured Card: This game was gross, so let's pay tribute to former Phillies reliever Al Holland, who passed away recently at the age of 73. Holland was a hero for the National League Champion club in 1983, and he enjoyed the finest seasons of his 10-year playing career with the club between 1983 and 1985. 55 of his 78 career saves came while with the Phillies, and he had been a fixture at Alumni Weekends up until the past few years. This is his team-issued photo card from one of my favorite sets of all-time - the Phillies Alumni photo card set, released with a variety of backs, copyright dates and occasionally different photos for the same subjects, between 2010 and 2022. Thanks for everything, Mr. T!

2026 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2026 Season Summary Index / 2026 Chachi Set Checklist

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Game 51 - Sanchez's Latest Gem Wasted in Loss

Cleveland Guardians 1

Philadelphia Phillies 0

2011 Total Philadelphia Phillies Postcards
Friday Night, May 22nd

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
25-26, 2nd Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Christopher Sanchez's eight shutout innings was wasted in this 1-0 loss, as Guardians' starter Gavin Williams shut down the Phillies offense.

What It Means: The Phillies have scored nine runs in the last four games, and they'll try to right the ship this afternoon if the weather cooperates.

What Happened: Sanchez extended his scoreless streak to 37 2/3 innings, passing Cliff Lee's mark of 34 scoreless innings. Sanchez now owns the second longest scoreless streak in franchise history, with his sights on the all-time record of 41 straight scoreless innings set by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander. Sanchez allowed four hits and struck out six. Jhoan Duran allowed a ninth inning solo home run to pinch-hitter Kyle Manzardo for the only run of the game. Williams struck out 11 Phillies and Cade Smith pitched a perfect ninth to record his league-leading 17th save.

Featured Card: Here's a Lee card the Phillies included in their team-issued postcard set given away on Fan Appreciation Day in 2011. Lee's streak included three consecutive shutouts in June 2011.

Field Report: Jenna and I attended this game, picking up our Sanchez bobble heads, and never actually making it to our seats due to the steady drizzle falling throughout the night. We were lucky enough to squeeze in at a table with family at Pass and Stow, staying dry and hoping for any kind of offense to support Sanchez's gem.

2026 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2026 Season Summary Index / 2026 Chachi Set Checklist

Friday, May 15, 2026

Game 43 - Rafaela's Pinch-Hit Blast Sinks Phils

Philadelphia Phillies 1

Boston Red Sox 3

2011 Topps Lineage #30
Wednesday Night, May 13th

Fenway Park - Boston, MA
20-23, Tied for 3rd Place, 10 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary: Ceddane Rafaela's pinch-hit, two-run home run in the sixth off Orion Kerkering sunk the Phillies in this 3-1 loss.

What It Means: The Phillies would look to take the series on Thursday night with Jesus Luzardo on the mound, facing old friend Ranger Suarez.

What Happened: Andrew Painter had a promising start, allowing a solo home run and four hits overall in his five-inning outing. Painter struck out four. The only offense from the Phillies came from Justin Crawford, who just bounced a home run off the top of the center field wall to tie the game at 1-1 in the third. Rafaela hit his blast in the sixth, and the Phillies couldn't string together any offense to overcome the deficit. Other the Crawford's home run, the offense had two singles the entire night.

Featured Card: We've only visited Fenway Park once, back in 2014, and watching the entirety of this three-game series on TV made me realize it's likely time for a return trip soon. Here's Chase Utley in front of the Green Monster on one of his many 2011 Topps cards featuring him in Fenway.

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

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Phillies Cards

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #15

2004 Topps Pristine #7

As is usually the case each January, I let this blog go mostly dormant with the exception of posting a daily 2024 Chachi card. Before spring training starts in earnest, I wanted to revisit something I used to do annually whenever a new class of Hall of Famers was announced. For each new class of Hall of Fame inductees, I go through my Phillies Collection and see how many cards of each I have. This would mean the new Hall of Famer is typically featured on a multi-player card with a Phillies player, or in the case of Dick Allen and Billy Wagner, the new Hall of Famer actually spent time with the Phillies.

This exercise is a little easier this year as I'm proud to report my entire Phillies Collection is now tracked in a massive Excel schedule, AND also available for me to browse and search on the Trading Card Database. I started updating my collection at TCDB a few years ago, and with the Phillies and Complete Sets collections now updated, I'll turn my attention to the "Everything Else" catch-all category.

Here's a look at Cooperstown's 2025 class, and the baseball cards I have of them in my Phillies Collection.

Dick Allen - I have 55 cards of Allen in my Phillies Collection, and 65 cards of the slugger overall. Back in December, I posted a gallery of his Topps flagship cards here, and I've also liked this 2009 Upper Deck card of his.

Dave Parker - Parker shows up twice in my Phillies Collection. He's on a strange 1982 Fleer Stamps issue, pointing at the camera and putting his arm around a hesitant Steve Carlton. He also shares space with Pete Rose and Bill Madlock on a 1984 Topps Active Career Leaders subset card.

CC Sabathia - Sabathia shows up twice on 2011 Topps Diamond Duos insert cards with Carlton and Cliff Lee. My all-time favorite memory involving Sabathia can be found here.

Ichiro Suzuki - Ichiro shares a card with Richie Ashburn in the 2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now insert set, and he's on an incredibly random "Classic Combo" card with Chase Utley in the 2007 Topps Update set.

Billy Wagner - And finally, I have 40 cards of closer Wagner in my Phillies Collection, given he appeared in 120 games with the club in 2004 and 2005. 59 of Wagner's 422 career saves came while wearing a Phillies uniform, which is his third most by franchise behind the Astros and Mets. Browsing a gallery of Wagner's Phillies cards, this 2004 Topps Pristine card is my favorite, non-team issue card of his. His 2005 Topps flagship card is a close second.

1982 Fleer
Stamps #241

2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-23

2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now #TN7

2007 Topps Update #UH279

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Game 47 - Snakes Slay Phils

2011 Topps Heritage Stamps #15
Diamodbacks 6, Phillies 3
Game 47 - Monday Night, May 22nd in Philadelphia
Record - 22-25, 4th Place, 7 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary: The Phillies couldn't overcome the Diamondbacks, losing this series opener, 6-3.

What It Means: Did the Diamondbacks series actually happen? Busy with work, for some strange reason at this time of year, I barely registered any of this series. It didn't help the Phillies provided little reason to get excited until the final innings of Wednesday afternoon's series finale.

What Happened: It seems I didn't miss much. Zack Wheeler went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out three. Errors by Bryson Stott in the second and Kody Clemens in the eighth led to two costly unearned runs. Kyle Schwarber and Stott both hit solo home runs for the Phillies, who managed just six hits overall.

Featured Card: I went through my Excel tracking schedule to find any Diamondbacks baseball cards in my collection, and this 2011 Topps Heritage Stamps card caught my eye. Back in 2011, we thought the Phillies playoff run would never end and it seemed as if at least a few more World Series titles were in our future, especially with the arrival of Dominic Brown. It was not to be.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Friday, September 23, 2022

Game 145 - Acuña Defeats Phils

2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-HH
Braves 4, Phillies 3
Game 145 - Saturday Night, September 17th in Atlanta
Record - 80-65, 3rd Place, 11 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary: Ronald Acuna, Jr. pretty much single-handedly defeated the Phillies in this 4-3 loss, extending the Phillies' losing streak to three.

What It Means: At the time of this loss, we were attending a wedding, and all hope for the postseason seemed to be slowly dwindling away.

What Happened: Aaron Nola gave up all four Braves runs in his seven-inning outing, striking out eight and seemingly keeping the Phillies in the ballgame. The Phillies scored late, but couldn't come all the way back from the 4-0 deficit. Matt Vierling hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth, then doubled home Bryson Stott in the seventh. Stott singled home Bryce Harper in the eighth for the team's third and final run. Acuna drove in all four Braves runs and made several great defensive plays in right field.

Featured Card: The well is dry, and motivation is low. Here's a Phillies/Braves combo card from the year the Phillies last saw the postseason, 2011.

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

2022 Chachi #57 David Robertson

#30
David Alan Robertson
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height: 5'11" Weight:  195
Opening Day Age: 36
Born:  April 9, 1985, Birmingham, AL
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Chicago Cubs for Ben Brown, August 2, 2022
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022
Major League Teams: New York Yankees 2008-2014; Chicago White Sox 2015-2017; New York Yankees 2017-2018; Philadelphia Phillies 2019; Tampa Bay Rays 2021; Chicago Cubs 2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2022

First Phillies Card: 2019 Phillies Team Issue #30
Newest Card Added: 2020 Topps #675
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2011-2020

9 - Robertson baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/13/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi New Additions #6
2019 Chachi #25
2020 Chachi Almost #20
2022 Chachi #57

2011 Topps Update #US8

2014 Topps #576

2016 Topps #234

2018 Topps #598

2020 Topps #675

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #56 Edmundo Sosa / 2022 Chachi #58 Brandon Marsh

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Game 49 - Memorial Day Meltdown

2021 Topps Archives #262
Giants 5, Phillies 4 (10 Innings)
Game 49 - Monday Afternoon, May 30th in Philadelphia
Record - 21-28, 3rd Place, 11 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary: Another late comeback was wasted by another failure by the Phillies bullpen in this 5-4 extra-inning loss.

What It Means: The Phillies continue to frustrate and baffle, with no clear direction or hope in sight. They've lost four in a row and six of their last seven games.

What Happened: Nick Castellanos and Rhys Hoskins hit solo home runs for the Phillies, with Hoskins' blast representing the only hit by the offense between the fourth inning and the ninth inning. With the score tied at 2-2, Corey Knebel again attempted to shut down the opposing offense and again failed. Evan Longoria hit a home run to center off Knebel to give the Giants a 3-2 lead. Kyle Schwarber, who might be heating up a little, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to again tie the score at 3-3. But then in the 10th, Phillies reliever Andrew Bellatti gave up a two-run home run to Curt Casali and we were glad we had left this game early (see below).

Field Report: Jenna and I had tickets to this Memorial Day matinee, and we braved the heat to enjoy the ballpark and hopefully watch a Phillies victory. We were 1 for 2 on the day. I finally broke down and stood in line for a Manco & Manco pizza, and while I was happy with my decision I think it tastes better on the boardwalk.

Featured Card/Transaction: Bailey Falter (lhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Mickey Moniak (of) was activated from the injured list. Moniak made his season debut after suffering a broken hand in the final game of spring training. He went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, but made a nice diving catch in the eighth.

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

Saturday, May 7, 2022

2022 Chachi #27 Brad Hand

#52
Bradley Richard Hand
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Left Throws:  Left Height: 6'3" Weight:  224
Opening Day Age: 32
Born:  March 20, 1990, Minneapolis, MN
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent formerly with the New York Mets, March 15, 2022
Contract Status:  Signed through 2022
Major League Teams: Florida Marlins 2011; Miami Marlins 2012-2015; San Diego Padres 2016-2018; Cleveland Indians 2018-2020; Washington Nationals 2021; New York Mets 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022

First Phillies Card: N/A
Newest Card Added: N/A
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6):  2011, 2017-2021

0 - Hand baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/6/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2022 Chachi New Additions #11
2022 Chachi #27