Phillies at Dodgers: April 21st to April 24th

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:10 
Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

At the Ballpark:  There are a few great giveaways during this series.  On Tuesday night, all fans will receive a nice looking Dodgers fleece blanket.  On Thursday night, all fans will receive a Clayton Kershaw Cy Young Bobblehead.  This definitely beats the Rockies Dinger Bobblehead Bunny Gnome, or whatever it was.

Programming Note:  The Phillies Room staff and series preview production department is currently away on spring break.  As such, these crucial game preview posts are lacking any current won-loss records, pitching probables and Phillies team leaders.  We will return to business as usual next week.

1988 Topps #92 and #149

1988 Topps Appreciation:  Today's Appreciation features a former Phillie and a future Phillie.  Len Matuszek came up through the Phillies system and made his debut at the end of the strike-shortened 1981 season.   He played in parts of the 1982 and 1983 seasons, before being named the team's starting first baseman to start the 1984 season and given the unenviable task of trying to replace Pete Rose.  In 101 games that season, Matuszek hit .248 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.  Following the season, he was shipped to the Blue Jays for three prospects including Phillies Room favorite Dave Shipanoff.

Matuszek played just a season in Toronto before finding a home for 2 1/2 more seasons in L.A. with the Dodgers.  Along with his 1988 Score card, this card represents Matuszek's final tribute card following his final season in 1987.

I remember Ken Howell coming to the Phillies thinking he was the answer to all the team's problems.  He wasn't.  Howell spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dodgers before being swapped to the Orioles in December 1988 and then flipped to the Phillies four days later.  He arrived with Gordon Dillard from the O's in exchange for outfielder Phil Bradley.  Injuries seriously limited Howell's time with the Phillies, as he appeared in just 51 games for the team, going 20-19 with a 3.85 ERA.