2020 Chachi #33 Dusty Wathan / Bob Meacham / Paco Figueroa CO

#62
Dustin James Wathan
Third Base Coach

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  225
Opening Day Age:  46
Born:  August 22, 1973, Jacksonville, FL
Major League Teams:  Kansas City Royals 2002
As a Coach:  Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #62
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2006 Choice Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons #24
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #62

Newest Card Added:  2019 Phillies Team Issue 2 #62

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

23 - Wathan baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist - Wathan
2018 Chachi #28 - with Pedro Guerrero, Chris Young and Jim Gott
2019 Chachi #28 - with Paco Figueroa and Jim Gott
2019 Chachi Photo Night #14
2020 Chachi #33 - with Bob Meacham and Paco Figueroa

Bobby Meacham joins the Phillies coaching staff in 2020 with the nebulous title of Coaching Assistant.  It's his third stint coaching for a team managed by Joe Girardi, having previously served under Girardi in 2006 and 2008.

Dusty Wathan is the veteran here, entering his third season as the team's third base coach and his 13th season in the Phillies' organization.

Paco Figueroa enters his second season as the Phillies' first base coach.  He has one Phillies minor league card to his name, having appeared in the 2011 Reading Phillies team set.

#92
Robert Andrew Meacham
Coaching Assistant

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  175
Opening Day Age:  59
Born:  August 25, 1960, Los Angeles, CA
Major League Teams:  New York Yankees 1983-1988
As a Coach:  Florida Marlins 2006; San Diego Padres 2007; New York Yankees 2008; Houston Astros 2010-2012; Philadelphia Phillies 2020

First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2009 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #31
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  2009 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #31

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6):  1984-1989

1 - Meacham baseball card in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist - Price
2020 Chachi #33 - with Dusty Wathan and Paco Figueroa

* * *

#38
Francisco Figueroa
First Base Coach

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  180
Opening Day Age:  37
Born:  February 19, 1983, Miami, FL
As a Coach:  Philadelphia Phillies 2019-

First Phillies Card:  2019 Phillies Team Issue #38
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2011 Multi-Ad Reading Phillies #11
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2019 Phillies Team Issue #38

Newest Card Added:  2019 Phillies Team Issue 2 #38

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

3 - Figueroa baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist - Dillon
2019 Chachi #28 - with Dusty Wathan and Jim Gott
2019 Chachi Photo Night #10 - with Rob Thomson
2020 Chachi #33 - with Dusty Wathan and Bob Meacham

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 12 - 2020 Topps Heritage #458 Jean Segura

Orioles 10, Phillies 9 (10 Innings)
Game 12 - Tuesday Night, August 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 5-7, 4th Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves and Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies gave away this game to the Orioles, losing several different times in several different and painful ways, 10-9, in 10 innings.

What It Means:  Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse . . .

In his postgame comments, manager Joe Girardi admitted he was frustrated and "That's a game that I thought, in a lot of ways, we gave it away."

What Happened:  A game summary here is best conveyed with a look at each separate instance of happiness, disappointment, confusion and pain from the sixth inning onward.

• Good - The Phillies held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth courtesy of Andrew McCutchen's two-run single and a fifth inning bomb of a home run from Jay Bruce.
• Not Good - Zack Wheeler allowed three runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score.
• Bad - Tommy Hunter surrenders two Orioles runs in the seventh, and is helped out of a jam when J.T. Realmuto catches Anthony Santander stealing.  Orioles lead 5-3.
• Good - Realmuto and reliever Jose Alvarez combine to catch Andrew Velazquez stealing home in the top of the eighth.
• Great - The Phillies dramatically tie the game and then take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, 6-5, on a two-run home run from Bryce Harper followed by a solo home run from Jean Segura.
• More Bad - Hector Neris has an awful night, allowing the Orioles to tie the game in the top of the ninth on a Renato Nunez single after he had loaded the bases.
• Horrific - The Orioles take a 8-6 lead when a pop-up drops between third baseman Segura and first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the right side of the pitcher's mound and after Segura had called off Hoskins.  Two runs score.
• Great Again - Didi Gregorius singles home two to tie the score again, 8-8, in the bottom of the ninth.
• WTF - With a courtesy runner on second to start the 10th, Austin Hays hits a lead-off, two-run inside the park home run on a ball that gets by a diving Roman Quinn in center.  10-8, Orioles lead.
• Meh - Segura becomes the first courtesy runner in Phillies team history, scoring on an RBI-single by Jay Bruce.  Quinn and Hoskins ground out to end the game.

Featured Card:  Segura should have been the hero here due to his tie-breaking eighth inning home run, but the ball dropping in between him and Hoskins in the ninth to allow the Orioles to take the lead could end up being one of the most memorable moments of the season.

Transactions:  The two pitchers who had a hand in Monday night's bullpen meltdown were replaced with two new relievers.  Nick Pivetta (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Trevor Kelley (rhp) was designated for assignment.  Blake Parker (rhp) and Connor Brogdon (rhp) had their contracts selected and Nick Williams (of) was designated for assignment as a 40-man roster spot was needed.  Kelley and Williams could pass through waivers and return to Lehigh Valley in a few days.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #29 Nick Pivetta

#43
Nicholas Jhoncarlo Pivetta
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'5"  Weight:  214
Opening Day Age:  27
Born:  February 14, 1993, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Washington Nationals for Jonathan Papelbon and cash considerations, July 28, 2015
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2021, free agency eligible 2024
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2017-

First Phillies Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue Phillies Phestival #43
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2016 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #23
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue Phillies Phestival #43

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps Total #189

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (4):  2017-2020

26 - Pivetta baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/11/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2015 Chachi Almost #10
2017 Chachi #40
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #15
2017 Chachi In Action #6
2017 Chachi Archives #3
2017 Chachi Photo Night #9
2018 Chachi #14
2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #9
2019 Chachi #14
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #13
2020 Chachi #29

Nick Pivetta was optioned to the Lehigh Valley alternate training site on Monday.  The Phillies bullpen has been a huge liability so far in 2020 and Pivetta's 15.88 ERA over 5 2/3 innings wasn't helping.  Hopefully he can figure things out in Allentown and help the club down the road.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Series Preview - Orioles at Phillies: August 11th to August 13th

1991 Topps #512

2020 Chachi 1991 Missing Links #1

Tuesday and Wednesday 7:05, Thursday 4:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  All's quiet except for the growing Phandemic Krew congregating at the Ashburn Alley fence at the corner of 10th and Phillies Way.

Orioles 7-7
3rd Place in the A.L. East, 2 games behind the Yankees

Orioles Probables
Alex Cobb (1-1, 2.51)
Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 6.91)
TBD

Orioles Leaders
Average:  Hanser Alberto - .349
Runs:  Renato Nunez - 13
Home Runs:  Renato Nunez - 5
RBIs:  Anthony Santander - 14
Stolen Bases:  Austin Hays - 2

Wins:  Seven tied with - 1
ERA:  Alex Cobb - 2.51
Strikeouts:  Tommy Milone - 16
Saves:  Cole Sulser - 3

Phillies 5-6
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves and Marlins

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (2-0, 2.08)
Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00)
Jake Arrieta (1-1, 2.45)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  J.T. Realmuto - .306
Runs:  Bryce Harper - 10
Home Runs:  J.T. Realmuto - 5
RBIs:  J.T. Realmuto - 12
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.08

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 29
Saves:  Hector Neris - 2

Game 11 - 2020 Topps Gypsy Queen #282 Aaron Nola

Phillies 13, Braves 8
Game 11- Monday Night, August 10th in Philadelphia
Record - 5-6, 3rd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves and Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola dominated the Braves through eight innings and the offense provided five home runs in this 13-8 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  The win delivered a series split and the Phillies will open a three-game series against the Orioles at home tonight.  And there was a bit of history too.  Per the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the first game in Phillies franchise history in which the team scored 10 runs and hit 4 home runs within the first two innings of a game.  (Matt Gelb Tweet.)

What Happened:  Nola allowed two hits - a second inning solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud and a third inning single to Austin Riley.  He struck out 10 and came within one inning of his first career complete game.  Nick Pivetta and Trevor Kelley are the reasons for the final score.  Pivetta took the brunt of it, allowing six runs on six hits to open the ninth while retiring just one batter.  Kelley allowed another run before mercifully ending the game.  Pivetta's ERA is 15.88 while Kelly's is now 10.80.

The home runs came from Bryce Harper (3-run home run in the first), Roman Quinn (solo in the second), Didi Gregorius (grand slam in the second), Jean Segura (solo in the second) and J.T. Realmuto (2-run home run in the fourth).  Phil Gosselin led off as the DH and had a pair of hits to increase his average to .471.

Featured Card:  I'm not sure why, but Nola has two cards in this year's Topps Gypsy Queen set.  This is his second card in the set, and his first card (#231) features him wearing the team's home day-game uniform.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #37 Spencer Howard

#48
Spencer Lee Howard
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  210
Opening Day Age:  24
Born:  July 28, 1996, San Luis Obispo, CA
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 2nd round of June 2017 amateur player draft
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2020

First Phillies Card:  2017 Bowman Draft Recommended Viewing #RV-PHI
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2017 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #13
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  2020 Bowman 1990 Bowman #90B-SH

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A

18 - Howard baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/10/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2018 Chachi BlueClaws Harry Potter Night #11 - with Damon Jones
2020 Chachi #37

Spencer Howard switched from the #83 he wore during spring training/Summer Camp to a more respectable #48 prior to his big league debut this past Sunday.

We first met Howard at a BlueClaws' Harry Potter theme night in 2018, as Howard and fellow pitching prospect Damon Jones were stationed at a table pre-game signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.  Admittedly, we had no idea who Howard or Jones were at the time and I think the duo helped us find their cards in our newly purchased BlueClaws team sets.

He's appeared in a number of Bowman and Topps minor league sets since 2017, as well as six different (by my count) Phillies minor league team sets.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 10 - 2020 Bowman Prospects #BP-55 Spencer Howard

Braves 8, Phillies 0 (Game 2 - 7 Innings)
Game 10 - Sunday Afternoon, August 9th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-6, Tied for 3rd Place, 3 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Braves spoiled Spencer Howard's much-anticipated debut with an 8-0 drubbing of the Phillies.

What It Means:  It's not going well.

What Happened:  Howard was OK in his debut, going 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits, including home runs to Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna, Jr.  Trevor Kelley and Austin Davis couldn't keep the Braves from scoring, allowing four more runs in their 2 1/3 innings of work.  Kelley's ERA is now up to 10.13, while Davis' actually went down to 16.88.

Rhys Hoskins showed signs of life, going 2 for 2 and increasing his average to .172.  Max Fried and two Braves relievers held the Phillies offense to four hits.  At this point, 10 games in, only Bryce Harper (.272), J.T. Realmuto (.290) and Didi Gregorius (.265) have respectable offensive numbers.

Featured Card:  As a top prospect, Howard already has his fair share of Bowman baseball cards and he's appeared in Phillies minor league team sets dating back to 2017.  Now that he's officially made his debut, we'll undoubtedly see a lot more of his cards in the coming weeks and months.

Transaction:  To get Howard on the 40-man roster, Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) was somewhat surprisingly designated for assignment.  De Los Santos had been on the team's active roster for a few days last week, but didn't see any game action.  Cole Irvin (lhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley to make room for Howard on the active 28-man roster.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 9 - 1980 Topps #90 Manny Trillo

Braves 5, Phillies 2 (Game 1 - 7 Innings)
Game 9 - Sunday Afternoon, August 9th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-5

One Sentence Summary:  The Braves bullpen held the Phillies to three hits as the Phillies bullpen continued its struggles in this 5-2 loss.

What It Means:  Spoiler alert for the second game, but as pointed out in this Doug Kern Tweet, this was to be the first double header in which the Phillies offense was held to four hits or less in both games since August 13, 1968 against the Astros.  Making it somewhat worse, the Braves went with a full bullpen game and six different relievers stifled the Phillies offense.

What Happened:  Phillies starter Vince Velasquez went four innings (76 pitches) and allowed a run on three hits while striking out six.  The bullpen duo of Deolis Guerra and Morgan combined for 2/3 of an inning, with four runs on four hits, including the two-run home run allowed by Guerra to Ronald Acuna, Jr.  The lifeless Phillies line-up had a pair of singles and a double.  Both Phillies runs came courtesy of productive outs from Andrew McCutchen - a ground out in the third and a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Featured Card:  This was supposed to be Alumni Weekend, with second baseman Manny Trillo getting inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.  Instead, Trillo's ceremony will be postponed and the entire 1980 team was present in the ballpark only in the form of cutouts in the right field seats.  (Photo below from Tyler Kepner's Twitter feed.)

Transaction:  Kyle Garlick (of) was added as the 29th man for this double header.

Memory Lane - Past Induction Ceremonies/Alumni Weekends

2009 - Harry Kalas

2010 - Darren Daulton

2011 - John Kruk

2012 - Mike Lieberthal

2013 - Curt Schilling

2014 - Charlie Manuel
2015 - Pat Burrell
2016 - Jim Thome
2017 - Tribute to Jim Bunning, Dallas Green and Darren Daulton
2018 - Roy Halladay and Pat Gillick
2019 - Bobby Abreu (Part One and Two)
2020 - Manny Trillo (Postponed)

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #12 Neil Walker

#12
Neil Martin Walker
Infield

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  214
Opening Day Age:  34
Born:  September 10, 1985, Pittsburgh, PA
How Obtained:  Signed by the Phillies as a minor league free agent, January 22, 2020
Contract Status:  Signed through 2020
Major League Teams:  Pittsburgh Pirates 2009-2015; New York Mets 2016-2017; Milwaukee Brewers 2017; New York Yankees 2018; Miami Marlins 2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020

First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  N/A

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11):  2005, 2010-2019

0 - Walker baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi #12

It hasn't entered my collection yet, but Walker does have one Phillies card (so far) as he appeared in the 2020 Topps Now Road to Opening Day - Summer Camp limited edition set.  I thought he was a strange inclusion at the time the checklist was released but I'm now glad he's in the set, as it might be his first and last Phillies baseball card.

Walker was one of four members of the 2013 pennant winning Pirates team in camp with the Phillies this spring, along with Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Francisco Liriano.  He was one of three non-roster invitees to make the Phillies opening day roster, along with Phil Gosselin and Ramon Rosso.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 8 - 2020 Topps #144 Jake Arrieta

Phillies 5, Braves 0
Game 8 - Saturday Night, August 8th in Philadelphia
Record - 4-4, 3rd Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Jake Arrieta pitched six solid shutout innings with J.T. Realmuto and Jay Bruce providing a pair of fourth inning home runs in this 5-0 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  The Phillies will try to move beyond the .500 level with a double header against the Braves on Sunday, necessitated by Friday's rain-out.  Top pitching prospect Spencer Howard is expected to make his much-anticipated debut today.

What Happened:  Arrieta was brilliant, allowing three singles and a walk while striking out six.  The bullpen did their job too, with Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter and Deolis Guerra making the last three innings look easy.

The game was scoreless until Realmuto hit his solo home run in the fourth off Braves' starter Kyle Wright.  Didi Gregorius followed with a sharp single to left and then Jean Segura walked, setting up Bruce's three-run blast.  The score stood at 4-0 until Gregorius drove home Bryce Harper in the eighth with an RBI single.  Earlier in the game, Harper made an impressive diving catch to take away a sure double from Adam Duvall.

Featured Card:  Arrieta, a potential free agent at season's end, looked wonderful.  Here's his card from the Topps flagship set, and it feels as if this was released years ago.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #19 Zach Eflin

#56
Zachary Adam Eflin
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'6"  Weight:  220
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  April 8, 1994, Orlando, FL
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers with Tom Windle for Jimmy Rollins, December 19, 2014
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible in 2021, free agency eligible in 2023
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2016-

First Phillies Card:  2016 Topps Now #211
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2015 Grandstand Reading Fightin Phils #16
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2016 Phillies Team Issue 2 Update #56

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps #361

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2019-2020

29 - Eflin baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2016 Chachi #46
2016 Chachi Photo Day #19
2017 Chachi #36
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #5 - with Joely Rodriguez
2018 Chachi #35
2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #8
2019 Chachi #16
2020 Chachi #19

Zach Eflin's name comes up every time someone discusses the positive impact new Phillies pitching coach Bryan Price will have on the team's young pitchers.  Eflin has dazzled at times, but may have suffered setbacks under the prior Gabe Kapler regime.

One of the two pitching prospects acquired from the Dodgers in 2014 for all-time Phillies great Jimmy Rollins, Eflin has appeared on more Topps Now cards to date (4) than Topps flagship cards (2).

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #11 Andrew Knapp

#15
Andrew Michael Knapp
Catcher

Bats:  Switch  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  189
Opening Day Age:  28
Born:  November 9, 1991, Roseville, CA
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 2nd round of June 2013 amateur player draft
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2021, free agency eligible 2023
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2017-

First Phillies Card:  2013 Bowman Draft Prospects #BDPP17
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2013 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #11
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2017 Phillies Team Issue #64

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps #662

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2017, 2020

29 - Knapp baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/7/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi #10
2017 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12
2017 Chachi In Action #5
2017 Chachi Archives #13
2017 Chachi Photo Night #28 - with Clay Buchholz and Cameron Rupp
2018 Chachi #8
2019 Chachi #10
2019 Chachi Phillies #17 - with Adam Morgan
2019 Chachi Friendly Encounters #15
2020 Chachi #11

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #14 Kyle Garlick

#23
Kyle Bruce Garlick
Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  210
Opening Day Age:  28
Born:  January 26, 1992, Chino Hills, CA
How Obtained:  Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tyler Gilbert, February 15, 2020
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible in 2023, free agency eligible in 2026
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Dodgers 2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020

First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  N/A

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2020

0 - Garlick baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/6/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi New Additions #12
2020 Chachi #14

Garlick, acquired from the Dodgers in February, made the Phillies Opening Day roster and promptly switched from the #72 he had worn throughout the spring to the more appropriate #23.  To date, he's appeared in one game for the Phillies, DH'ing against the Yankees on August 5th and going 0 for 2.

He was sent to the Lehigh Valley alternate training site on August 6th when rosters decreased in size from 30 players to 28.  I'm curious to see if the Lehigh Valley IronPigs issue a Phillies Taxi Squad set.  If they have the rights to those players, it seems as if that could be a popular set with Phillies collectors as it would feature the first Phillies baseball cards for Garlick, Mikie Mahtook, Nick Martini, Cristopher Sanchez and Ronald Torreyes, along with several top Phillies prospects.

Garlick's first mainstream baseball card can be found in Topps Series 2, released in June, and featuring the outfielder with the Dodgers.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Series Preview - Braves at Phillies: August 7th to August 10th

2020 Chachi Fan Favorites #13

2020 Chachi 1991 Topps Missing Links #2

Friday 7:05, Saturday 6:05, Sunday 1:05, Monday 6:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  This was originally scheduled (pre-pandemic) as Alumni Weekend and there would have been ceremonies to induct Manny Trillo into the Wall of Fame, along with a 40th anniversary celebration of the 1980 World Championship team.  The Phillies are still advertising this as Alumni Weekend on their television broadcasts, so I'm assuming they have a few things in store to mark the occasion.

Sunday's starter for the Phillies is listed as "TBD," but it's expected (and hoped) this will be the big league debut for top pitching prospect Spencer Howard.

Braves 9-5
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 1/2 game behind the Marlins

Braves Probables
Kyle Wright (0-1, 7.50)
TBD
Max Fried (2-0, 2.04)
Sean Newcomb (0-1, 6.57)

Braves Leaders
Average:  Dansby Swanson - .296
Runs:  Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson - 11
Home Runs:  Marcell Ozuna - 3
RBIs:  Dansby Swanson - 13
Stolen Bases:  Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson - 3

Wins:  Max Fried - 2
ERA:  Max Fried - 2.04
Strikeouts:  Touki Toussaint - 20
Saves:  Mark Melancon - 2

Phillies 3-4
Tied for 3rd Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Marlins

Phillies Probables
Vince Velasquez (0-0, 12.00)
Jake Arrieta (0-1, 5.40)
TBD
Aaron Nola (0-1, 3.97)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  J.T. Realmuto - .333
Runs:  Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto - 6
Home Runs:  J.T. Realmuto - 3
RBIs:  J.T. Realmuto - 8
Stolen Bases:  Bryce Harper - 1

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 2
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.08

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 19
Saves:  Hector Neris - 2

Game 7 - 2020 Topps Utz #23 J.T. Realmuto

Phillies 5, Yankees 4
Game 7 - Thursday Night, August 6th in Philadelphia
Record - 3-4, Tied for 3rd Place, 3 games behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Zach Eflin, J.T. Realmuto and Hector Neris starred in this tense 5-4 Phillies win over the Yankees.

What It Means:  With the Phandemic Krew yelling and blowing air horns beyond the center field gate in Ashburn Alley, the Phillies managed to split the four-game series with the Yankees.  The Braves visit next for a four-game set starting tonight.

What Happened:  Eflin only went four innings, and both runs he allowed were unearned.  He scattered four hits and struck out five, including Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez twice each.  The bullpen entered in the fifth and other than a two-run home run surrendered by Nick Pivetta to Sanchez, did a decent job.  Neris was needed for four outs and while he made things interesting, he got Luke Voit on a long fly ball to center to end the game.

Realmuto's three-run home run in the first put the Phillies up for good and he threw out a runner (Brett Gardner) in the fourth trying to steal second.  Phil Gosselin, batting fifth and DH'ing, gave the Phillies a 5-2 lead with a two-run double in the third.  He finished the game with an impressive .600 average.

Featured Card:  For the second year in a row, Topps partnered with Utz to produce a set of baseball cards to be included in packages of Utz potato chips.  They went the extra mile this year and created a new design that I actually like more than the 2020 Topps flagship design.  There are 100 cards in the set, with four Phillies including this Realmuto card.

Transactions:  Roster sizes decreased from 30 to 28 on Thursday, with Kyle Garlick (of) and Enyel De Los Santos (rhp) both optioned to the Lehigh Valley alternate training site.  Also, Reggie McClain (rhp) was moved from the paternity list to the injured list, retroactive to August 3rd, with a right shoulder impingement.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Introducing the 2021 Chachi Set

It certainly feels odd to be seeing pictures of cards from 2021 when we're only a handful of games into the 2020 season.  On Wednesday afternoon, Topps revealed the design for its 2021 flagship set on its social media platforms.  I've accepted I'll probably never love a Topps flagship design again, for the simple reason I prefer the design and design elements from several decades ago.  The 2021 Topps design is fine, and I'll add a Phillies team set and the factory set to my collection, but I won't go out of my way to open boxes and packs of the product.  Gone are the days when a new Topps flagship set's design makes me want to hand collate a set.

Which brings us to the reason for this post.  As has become tradition, whenever Topps teases its first look at the next year's set, I do the same for the next year's Chachi set.  Going with the 1986 Topps design for the 2021 Chachi set was a relatively easy choice.  First, I've already used all the sets from the 1970s, with the exception of the difficult to replicate 1972 Topps set.  Second, I wanted to go back to the 1980s since I'm spending this season working with the 1991 Topps design.  And third, the only sets from the 1980s I've not yet tackled are from 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1989.  I realize Topps will have 1986 Topps-inspired cards in its packs of 2021 Topps, so there will be some correlation there.  It's also a fairly easy design to replicate and after the strain of 2020, I'm all for something that's relatively simple.  Team name at top using the team's primary color and Novel Gothic font, centered photo, name at bottom, position in little circle - simple.  We all deserve an easy and uncomplicated 2021, right?

Here's a look at potential future Chachi set candidates, with dark horse sets from the 21st century entering the mix for the first time ever.

1965 - My favorite Topps design from the 1960s and now the subject of this blog of mine.
1972 - The only set design from the 1970s I've not used yet, given I'm not advanced enough to replicate the font used for team names.
1984, 1987, 1989 - I still can't seem to get the fonts quite right the 1987 and 1989 sets.  And the 1984 set scares me off somewhat as I'd need two pictures of each player.
2000, 2001, 2006, 2008 - How is it I feel more nostalgia for the 2000s than the 1990s at this point?  I've really come to appreciate the design of the 2000 Topps sets, and it could be one of their most underrated designs ever.  Somehow, this is an early favorite for the 2022 Chachi set.
Other Future Candidates - 1981 Donruss, 1981 Fleer, 1982 Donruss, 1983 Fleer, 1985 Fleer, 1987 Donruss

Memory Lane
2014 Chachi Preview #1 (8/8/13)
2015 Chachi Preview #1 (8/15/14)
2016 Chachi Preview #1 (8/11/15)
2017 Chachi Preview #1 (8/10/16)
2018 Chachi Preview #1 (8/7/17)
2019 Chachi Preview #1 (8/20/18)
2020 Chachi Preview #1 (8/2/19)
2021 Chachi Preview #1 (8/7/20)

Game 6 - 2020 Topps Heritage #53 Aaron Nola

Yankees 3, Phillies 1 (Game 2 - 7 Innings)
Game 6 - Wednesday Night, August 5th in Philadelphia
Record - 2-4, 4th Place, 3 games behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola matched his career high with 12 strikeouts, but a lack of offense and Tommy Hunter led to a 3-1 loss to the Yankees.

What It Means:  It's still early right?  A tenth of the way through this season, the equivalent of 16 games during a regular season, the batting averages for some of the starters is concerning - Roman Quinn .182, Rhys Hoskins .158, Bryce Harper .222, Jean Segura .182, Andrew McCutchen .056 and Scott Kingery .100.

What Happened:  Nola turned in an ace-like performance, with his only blemish being a second inning home run allowed to Luke Voit.  He allowed three hits and one run, with manager Joe Girardi lifting him after six innings and 88 pitches.  Hunter entered in the seventh with the score tied and didn't retire a batter.  After four sharp hits and a hit batter, it was 3-1 Yankees and Hunter was sitting on the bench, stunned.

The Phillies scored their lone run in the second when Andrew Knapp singled Neil Walker home.

Featured Card:  Assuming he makes 9 more starts this season, here's hoping Nola actually gets some run support and then some decent relief pitching to lock down at least a handful of wins for him.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 5 - Hey, That's Us!

Phillies 11, Yankees 7 (Game 1 - 7 Innings)
Game 5 - Wednesday Afternoon, August 5th in Philadelphia
Record - 2-3

One Sentence Summary:  With the Yankees as the home team at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies offense came to life (briefly) in this 11-7 win.

What It Means:  Hurricane Isaias necessitated the move of this game from the Bronx to Philly, as game one of a double header and with the Phillies and Yankees playing their first seven-inning regulation games in franchise history.  Due to safety concerns, all scheduled double headers this season will go only seven innings, barring any ties at the end of seven.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler controlled a powerful Yankees line-up, improving his record to 2-0 while pitching six innings of three-run (two earned), six-hit ball.  Reliever Austin Davis struggled mightily in the seventh, allowing four runs in a third of an inning, but Hector Neris needed only one pitch to lock down his first save of the season.

Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the third, with J.T. Realmuto adding a solo home run in the fifth.  Realmuto drove in another run in the team's six-run sixth inning.  The entire starting line-up, with the exception of lead-off hitter Andrew McCutchen and DH Kyle Garlick, had at least one hit in this game.

Featured Card:  And we were there!  Sort of.

When the Phillies announced fans could purchase cut-outs of themselves to be seated in Citizens Bank Park during the season, and that proceeds would benefit Phillies Charities, I knew I needed to order ours.  Jenna showed up a few days ago on the Phillies Instagram feed with the caption "Find Bryce."  She's on the left of the limited edition card above, right behind Richie Ashburn.

We wondered where the rest of us were, and our question was answered when the Phillies posted photos yesterday on Twitter of some of the "crowd."  Appropriately enough, Doug, Ben and I are seated a few rows behind Phillies great Tony Taylor and right in front of current TV broadcast Tom McCarthy.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Series Preview - Yankees at Phillies: August 5th to August 6th

2020 Chachi Fan Favorites #24

2020 Chachi Fan Favorites #5

Wednesday Double Header 4:05, Thursday 6:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  The strangeness of 2020 continues.  Tuesday night's game was postponed due to Hurricane Isaias, to be made up as Game 1 of a double header at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday afternoon.  The Yankees will be the home team for Game 1, with the Phillies as the home team for Game 2.

Yankees 8-1
1st Place in the A.L. East, 3 games ahead of the Orioles

Yankees Probables
Jordan Montgomery (1-0, 1.59)
TBD
Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 3.38)

Yankees Leaders
Average:  DJ LeMahieu - .412
Runs:  Aaron Judge - 11
Home Runs:  Aaron Judge - 6
RBIs:  Aaron Judge - 14
Stolen Bases:  Mike Tauchman - 3

Wins:  Gerrit Cole - 3
ERA:  Gerrit Cole - 2.55
Strikeouts:  Gerrit Cole - 16
Saves:  Zack Britton - 4

Phillies 1-3
4th Place in the N.L. East, 3 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.29)
Aaron Nola (0-1, 6.75)
Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Didi Gregorius - .333
Runs:  Phil Gosselin and Did Gregorius - 3
Home Runs:  Phil Gosselin and Didi Gregorius - 2
RBIs:  Three tied with - 3
Stolen Bases:  N/A

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.29

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 7
Saves:  N/A

2020 Chachi #18 Jake Arrieta

#49
Jacob Joseph Arrieta
Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  230
Opening Day Age:  34
Born:  March 6, 1986, Farmington, MO
How Obtained:  Signed as a free agent, March 12, 2018
Contract Status:  Signed through 2020 with club options for 2021 and 2022
Major League Teams:  Baltimore Orioles 2010-2013; Chicago Cubs 2013-2017; Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Card:  2018 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-10
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #49

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-283

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11):  2010-2020

41 - Arrieta baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/4/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2018 Chachi New Additions #5
2018 Chachi #30
2018 Chachi Phillies Phestival #16
2019 Chachi #15
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #18
2019 Chachi Ballpark Visits #25
2020 Chachi #18

This could be Arrieta's final season with the Phillies as his contract expires at the end of the year, but the team holds a club option for 2021.  Through 56 starts with the Phillies dating back to 2018, Arrieta is 18-20 with a 4.28 ERA.

He's appeared in every Topps flagship set since 2010, with his first appearance coming in the 2010 Topps Update release as an unbearded young pitcher with the Orioles.  Arrieta's greatest success came with the Cubs, winning the N.L. Cy Young in 2015 and helping the club win the 2016 World Series.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 4 - Phillies Return! (And They're Not Blown Out!)

2020 Topps Now
Road to Opening Day #OD-283

Yankees 6, Phillies 3
Game 4 - Monday Night, August 3rd in New York
Record - 1-3, 4th Place, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Following a seven-day lay-off due to the COVID-19 outbreak on the Marlins' team, the Phillies returned to play and respectably lost to the Yankees, 6-3.

What It Means:  I'll admit I had braced for a complete blow-out at the hands of the powerful Yankees, but the Phillies hung in there and battled.  Tonight's game has already been postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Isaias, to be made up as a double header at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.

What Happened:  Jake Arrieta gave up a first inning home run to DJ LeMahieu and a pair of runs in the third on a Brett Gardner home run and an Aaron Hicks double.  But it could have been a lot worse.  Arrieta lasted five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits.  Deolis Guerra was victimized with a three-run home by Gio Urshela in the sixth, basically putting the game out of reach.

Jay Bruce homered in the third for the Phillies off Gerrit Cole.  A few late inning runs were added on RBI singles from Adam Haseley and Jean Segura.  The game was halted for just over an hour before the seventh inning for a rain delay.

Featured Card:  These Topps Now Road to Opening Day cards still seem appropriate for these early games.  It's early August, but in my mind it feels like the baseball season is still stuck in late March/early April.  I'm having difficulty dealing with the time jump.

Transaction:  Reliever Reggie McClain was placed on the paternity list and Enyel De Los Santos was recalled from Lehigh Valley.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #15 Adam Haseley

#40
Adam Donald Haseley
Outfield

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  190
Opening Day Age:  24
Born:  April 12, 1996, Orlando, FL
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 1st round of June 2017 amateur player draft
Contract Status:  Pre-arbitration eligible
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2019-

First Phillies Card:  2017 Bowman Draft #BD-115
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2017 Choice Williamsport Crosscutters #12
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps #667

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2019-2020

33 - Haseley baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/2/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi Almost #12
2017 BlueClaws Signing Autographs #6
2019 Chachi Ballpark Visits #4
2019 Chachi #46
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #6
2019 Chachi Photo Night #13
2019 Chachi Photo Cards #40
2020 Chachi #15

Haseley was the 8th overall pick in the 2017 amateur player draft, and he made his big league debut last season on June 4th.  Haseley and Roman Quinn are expected to split center field duties during the abbreviated 2020 season.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Series Preview - Phillies at Yankees: August 3rd to August 4th

2020 Chachi Fan Favorites #1

2020 Chachi Fan Favorites #23

Monday 7:05 and Tuesday 6:05
Yankee Stadium - New York, NY

At the Ballpark:  Let's try this thing again.  The Phillies paused their season following last Sunday's game against the Marlins amid news of a COVID-19 outbreak among most of the Marlins' players and their staff.  The entire four-game home and away Yankees series, originally scheduled for last week, was postponed and the entire weekend series against the Blue Jays was postponed as well.  That's seven games that will need to somehow be made up or just erased from the already shortened 60-game schedule.

The Phillies were supposed to be in Miami for a three-game series beginning Tuesday night, but instead they'll kick off their postponed away and home series against the Yankees.

A moot point now, the Blue Jays were scheduled to be the home team for their postponed series as Canada would not permit the club to play in Toronto this season due to ongoing pandemic concerns.  Honestly, just typing up this stuff is surreal.  My mindset at this point is to enjoy these games while they last as it's hard to imagine the season playing out uninterrupted to its conclusion all the way to October.

Phillies 1-2
Tied for 3rd Place in the N.L. East, 2 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Jake Arrieta (0-0, 0.00)
Aaron Nola (0-1, 6.75)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Didi Gregorius - .364
Runs:  Phil Gosselin and Did Gregorius - 3
Home Runs:  Phil Gosselin and Did Gregorius - 2
RBIs:  Three tied with - 3
Stolen Bases:  N/A

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 1.29

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 7
Saves:  N/A

Yankees 7-1
1st Place in the A.L. East, 2 games ahead of the Orioles


Yankees Probables
Gerrit Cole (2-0, 3.09)
J.A. Happ (0-0, 9.00)

Yankees Leaders
Average:  DJ LeMahiru - .400
Runs:  Aaron Judge - 10
Home Runs:  Aaron Judge - 6
RBIs:  Aaron Judge - 14
Stolen Bases:  Mike Tauchman - 3

Wins:  Gerrit Cole - 2
ERA:  Gerrit Cole - 3.09
Strikeouts:  Gerrit Cole - 12
Saves:  Zack Britton - 3