2007-2009 Phillies Alumni Photo Cards

Number of Known Cards:  42
Card Size:  4" x 6"
Description:  I was admittedly completely unaware of the existence of these cards until an eBay search in 2018 yielded photos of team-issued photo cards for Phillies alumni using a design I had never seen before.  The 2008 cards have a blue border with the Phillies Alumni logo along with the player's name and uniform number at the bottom.  The 2009 cards have a gray border with the same Phillies Alumni logo at the bottom, again along with the player's name and uniform number.  Copyright dates and the corresponding year of issuance can be found on the backs of these cards.

How Distributed:  Between 2007 and 2009, the Phillies created special alumni photo cards for returning players to sign at various autograph events, during alumni weekends and as part of any reunion-related public appearances.  A team card for the 1950 National League Champion Whiz Kids was also created.  Fellow collector Rick shared with me his list of these cards, which is where the information below comes from.  He also notes the 2007 Tekulve card was created for an autograph signing with the ex-reliever that was ultimately cancelled due to inclement weather.

Complete 2007 Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically): 

1. Rico Brogna 2. Marty Bystrom (blank back)                 3. Larry Christenson 4. Darren Daulton

5. Terry Harmon (blank back) 6. Von Hayes 7. Ricky Jordan 8. Dickie Noles (blank back, 5 x 7)

9. Mike Rogodzinski                 10. Kent Tekulve 11. Bob Walk 12. Mitch Williams

Complete 2008 Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically): 

1. 1950 Phillies Team 2. Dick Allen 3. Larry Andersen 4. Ricky Bottalico 5. Jeff Brantley 6. Larry Christenson (same photo as 2007) 7. Gene Garber

8. Dallas Green 9. Terry Harmon 10. Tommy Herr 11. Tommy Hutton                        12. Ricky Jordan 13. Garry Maddox

14. Jerry Martin 15. Gary Matthews 16. Mike Rogodzinski                             17. Juan Samuel 18. Del Unser 19. Ozzie Virgil

Complete 2009 Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically): 

1. Bob Boone 2. Ricky Bottalico                   3. Bob Dernier 4. Jim Eisenreich

5. Jim Kaat 6. John Kruk 7. Mike Lieberthal 8. Mickey Morandini

9. Dickie Noles 10. Juan Samuel (same photo as 2008) 11. Tony Taylor

I am actively seeking these cards and please contact me if you have any for sale or trade.  My want list is linked below.

Also See:  I recently updated, hopefully for the final time, my post covering the alumni photo cards issued between 2010 and 2019.

Resources:  Phillies collector Rick (@rickphils).

2000-Present Phillies Team-Issued Photo Cards Want List / Phillies Team Issued Sets Index Page

Series Preview - Phillies at Pirates: July 19th to July 21st

1971 Topps #682

1971 Topps #582

Friday and Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:35
PNC Park - Pittsburgh, PA

Phillies 50-47, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 7 1/2 games behind the Braves
Pirates 45-50, 4th place in the N.L. Central, 6 1/2 games behind the Cubs

Phillies Probables:  Jake Arrieta (8-7, 4.54), Zach Eflin (7-9, 4.16), Vince Velasquez (2-5, 4.87)
Pirates Probables:  Jordan Lyles (5-6, 5.16), Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.17), Joe Musgrove (6-8, 4.31)

At the Ballpark:  Now this is cool.  The Pirates will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1979 World Championship all weekend with a 1979 Pirates t-shirt being given out on Friday night (to the first 20,000 fans) and a retro bobble head giveaway on Saturday.  The Phillies and Pirates will wear throw-back uniforms on Saturday night and there will be a pre-game ceremony honoring members of the 1979 Pirates team.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .279
Runs:  J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura - 57
Home Runs:  Rhys Hoskins - 20
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 69
Stolen Bases:  Jean Segura - 7

Wins:  Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola - 8
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 3.77

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 138
Saves:  Hector Neris - 18

Pirates Leaders
Average:  Josh Bell - .293
Runs:  Josh Bell - 71
Home Runs:  Josh Bell - 27
RBIs:  Josh Bell - 84
Stolen Bases:  Starling Marte - 13

Wins:  Joe Musgrove - 6
ERA:  Joe Musgrove - 4.31

Strikeouts:  Chris Archer - 106
Saves:  Felipe Vazquez - 21

Series Preview - Phillies at Brewers: June 15th to June 17th

1978 Topps #118

1978 Topps #24

Friday 8:10, Saturday 4:10 and Sunday 2:10
Miller Park - Milwaukee, WI

Phillies 35-31, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 4 games behind the Braves
Brewers 41-27, 1st place in the N.L. Central, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs

Phillies Probables:  Jake Arrieta (5-4, 2.97), Zach Eflin (3-2, 3.63), Aaron Nola (8-2, 2.27)
Brewers Probables:  Brent Suter (6-4, 4.61), Junior Guerra (3-4, 2.71), Chase Anderson (5-5, 4.13)

At the Ballpark:  It will be fun to celebrate Father's Day at Miller Park.  On Sunday, the first 20,000 fans will receive a mini replica bullpen car and all kids will receive a coupon for a free ice cream bar.  Following the game, kids will be able to run the bases.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .286
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 45
Home Runs:  Carlos Santana - 10
RBIs:  Carlos Santana - 38
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 10

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 8
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 2.27
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 90
Saves:  Hector Neris - 9

Brewers Leaders
Average:  Christian Yelich - .302
Runs:  Christian Yelich - 43
Home Runs:  Travis Shaw - 14
RBIs:  Travis Shaw - 43
Stolen Bases:  Lorenzo Cain - 13

Wins:  Jhoulys Chacin and Brent Suter - 6
ERA:  Jhoulys Chacin - 3.32
Strikeouts:  Josh Hader - 75
Saves:  Josh Hader and Corey Knebel - 6

3 More Allen & Ginter Cards Needed! (Valley Forge Report)

1933 Goudey #115

1934-36 Diamond Stars #15

1936 S and S Game

1940 Play Ball #216

My son Doug and I had a free Sunday afternoon, so we decided to head to Valley Forge for the September "Philly Show".  Doug's fall baseball schedule meant we couldn't get to the show on Saturday to meet Roy Halladay, and we only had a few hours on Sunday, but once again we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We met up this time with Doug's friends Jacob and Josh and their Dad Chris, Doug's baseball coach.

The three younger collectors had a blast exploring the show floor and adding to their collections. Doug needs just three more cards to complete his 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter set (see below) thanks to All-Star Sports Cards (@Allstarsports09).  He spent the rest of his allowance money tracking down cool Phillies cards and adding to his growing Mike Trout collection.  We were there as the dealers were packing up, and one dealer unloaded three binders of complete Topps sets on the three boys. Doug came away with a 1988 Topps set and he hasn't stopped smiling about it yet.  It's the oldest complete set in his collection, and he'll be forever grateful to the dealer who gave it to him for free! (I believe Jacob and Josh came away with 1990 and 1992 Topps sets, respectively.)

As for me, I chipped away at my 1971 Topps set, adding the Robero Clemente and Don Baylor/Dusty Baker rookie card to my collection.  I also picked up a number of semi-stars and high numbers, getting the number of cards I need to complete the set down to 59.

1957 Topps #158

1970 Topps #403

1971 Topps #511

1975 Topps #399

I also made a small dent in my 1950s, 1960s and 1970s Phillies team set needs, creeping closer to my goal of owning a complete run of Topps Phillies cards.  Finally, I added a quartet of Phillies cards from the 1930s and 1940s, meaning I probably need to break down and change my 1930s Phillies have list post to an actual want list post.

We didn't get there in time to meet any of the autograph signers, but I overheard that Rhys Hoskins is expected to be one of the signers at the next Valley Forge show in December. We'll be there!

* * *

Here are the three 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter cards Doug needs to complete his set.  Please let me know if you can help out!

165 - Jayson Stark
301 - Trey Mancini
336 - Kenley Jansen

Memory Lane

Valley Forge 1 - September 2010 - Thinking of my Dad
Valley Forge 2 - October 2012 - Doug's first baseball card show
Valley Forge 3 - September 2014 - Meeting Darren Daulton
Valley Forge 4 - September 2016 - Phillies acquisitions and 4 Phillies Legends
Valley Forge 5 - December 2016 - Meeting Don Money
Valley Forge 6 - September 2017

Series Preview - Padres at Phillies: April 11th to April 14th

Monday 3:05, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:05, Thursday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Padres, 4th place in the N.L. West, 2 1/2 games behind the Giants
Phillies, Tied for 3rd place in the N.L. East, 2 games behind the Nationals

Padres Probables:  Andrew Cashner (0-1, 11.25), Robbie Erlin (1-0, 0.00), Colin Rea (0-0, 12.46), Drew Pomeranz (1-0, 3.60)
Phillies Probables:  Aaron Nola (0-0, 1.29), Charlie Morton (0-1, 14.73), Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 3.60), Vince Velasquez (1-0, 0.00)

At the Ballpark:  It's the Phillies home opener today, and the team will enter the field from the outfield bleachers which seems to be their new opening day tradition.  Kane Kalas, son of the late, great Harry Kalas, will sing the national anthem and all fans will receive a commemorative opening day Phillies hat.

It's already Dollar Dog night on Tuesday night and all fans 15 and over will receive an opening night t-shirt.

Padres Leaders
Average:  Yangervis Solarte - .375
Runs:  Jon Jay and Melvin Upton, Jr. - 5
Home Runs:  Matt Kemp - 3
RBIs:  Matt Kemp - 10
Stolen Bases:  4 tied with - 1

Wins:  Robbie Erlin and Drew Pomeranz - 1
ERA:  James Shields - 4.85
Strikeouts:  James Shields - 8
Saves:  N/A

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .421
Runs:  Peter Bourjos - 3
Home Runs:  Ryan Howard - 2
RBIs:  Ryan Howard - 4
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 1

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson and Vince Velasquez - 1
ERA:  Vince Velasquez - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Jeremy Hellickson - 11
Saves:  Jeanmar Gomez - 2

1970 Topps #130

1970 Topps #486

1970 Topps Appreciation:  Ollie Brown and Terry Harmon wrapped up their big league careers as teammates on the Phillies from 1974 until 1977.

Brown was the first pick by the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft, selected from the Giants.  He was the Padres starting right fielder in 1970, enjoying probably the best season of his 13-year career. Brown hit .292 that season with career highs in both home runs (23) and RBIs (89).  He came to the Phillies in June 1974 as a waiver claim from the Astros.  In parts of four seasons with the club, Brown hit .264 over 272 games, with 16 home runs and 82 RBIs.

Harmon played his entire 10-year career with the Phillies.  A career bench player, he appeared in 71 games for the 1970 Phillies, hitting .248.  Harmon appeared in every Topps set from 1969 and 1978, with every single photo used for his ten Topps baseball cards being a posed, non-action shot.

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.

1978 SSPC Baseball the Phillies Way - Part One

During the first Gallery Week, I featured the Phillies team set from the quirky, yet lovable 1976 SSPC set.  I broke the gallery into two posts - part one and part two.  Today and tomorrow, I'll feature the Phillies cards from a set released by SSPC in 1978.  This set is either listed as "1978 SSPC Baseball the Phillies Way" or "1978 SSPC 270."  The latter name derives from the fact that these cards were included as an insert within a baseball magazine entitled, you guessed it, Baseball the Phillies Way.  The publication contained tips on how to play each position and how to better your hitting, pitching and fielding skills, among other things.  The back of the front cover even contained a letter to the reader from then-Phillies front office personnel Paul Owens and Dallas Green.

The 1978 SSPC 270 name derives from the fact that SSPC released 270 total cards that year, all spread out among a number of team publications.  For this reason, the Phillies cards are numbered "0028" to "0054" within their publication.  (I've dropped the "00" prefix in the galleries.)  The set has the feel of the 1976 SSPC set, but adds horizontal cards and more cards of coaches this time around.

Back in the early '80s, I bought two of these magazines at the Ocean City Baseball Card Show - one to keep in tact and one from which to skillfully cut the baseball cards from.

#28 Garry Maddox

#29 Steve Carlton

#30 Ron Reed

#31 Greg Luzinski

#32 Bobby Wine CO

#33 Bob Boone

#34 Carroll Beringer CO

#35 Richie Hebner

#36 Ray Rippelmeyer CO

#37 Terry Harmon

#38 Gene Garber

#39 Ted Sizemore

#40 Barry Foote

#41 Tony Taylor CO

1971 Arco Phillies

With all of the vintage baseball card designs Topps has recylced over the years, I'm surprised they haven't used the clean, classic design of the 1971 Arco cards.  In 1971, 8" x 10" cards were produced for four different teams to be given away at Arco gas stations serving those team's markets.  The Red Sox, Yankees, Pirates and Phillies each participated in the promotion, and the 13 Phillies cards are featured here.

Click on any card below to enlarge.