2024 Chachi #7 Nick Castellanos

#8 / Nicholas Alexander Castellanos / Right Field

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  203
Opening Day Age:  32

Born:  March 4, 1992, Hialeah, FL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, March 22, 2022

Contract Status:  Signed through 2026
Major League Teams:  Detroit Tigers 2013-19; Chicago Cubs 2019; Cincinnati Reds 2020-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

Postseason Appearances:  Detroit Tigers 2014; Cincinnati Reds 2020; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Stadium Club #219

Nick Castellanos started all 162 games for the Phillies in 2024, making 157 starts in right field and getting a slight breather with five starts as the designated hitter.  He had a consistent season, batting .254 with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs, fourth on the club.  Castellanos had several clutch walk-off hits for the Phillies throughout the 2024 season, including a game-winning single in Game 2 of the NLDS, scoring Trea Turner and defeating the Mets, 7-6.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2011 Topps Pro Debut #110
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (10):  2014-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Stadium Club #219
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  58 as of 12/20/24, 19 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2022 Chachi New Additions #13 
2022 Chachi #4

2022 Chachi #71 - NLDS Game 1

2023 Chachi #5

2023 Chachi #46 - All-Star

2023 Chachi #65 - NLDS Game 4

2023 Chachi Friendly Encounters #6

2024 Chachi #7

2024 Chachi #68 - NLDS Game 2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #6 Bryson Stott / 2024 Chachi #8 Brandon Marsh

2024 Chachi #6 Bryson Stott

#5 / Bryson Jeremy Stott / Second Base

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  26

Born:  October 6, 1997, Las Vegas, NV
Acquired:  Drafted by the Phillies in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 2019 amateur draft, June 3, 2019

Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Topps Heritage #419

In his third full season as a regular in the Phillies' line-up, and his second season as the everyday second baseman, Bryson Stott played in 148 games, batting .245 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs.  Along with most of the regulars, Stott struggled in the NLDS against the Mets, batting .182 (2 for 11) in the mostly forgettable four-game series.  He did provide one of the few Phillies highlights of the postseason, hitting a key triple in the eighth inning of Game 2.  The Phillies would eventually win that game on a walk-off single from Nick Castellanos, their only win of the postseason.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Draft #BD-79
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2022-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #419
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  74 as of 12/20/24, 17 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2019 Chachi Almost #3 
2022 Chachi #8

2022 Chachi Friendly Encounters #15

2023 Chachi #6

2023 Chachi #61 - NLWCS Game 2

2024 Chachi #6

2024 Chachi #68 - NLDS Game 2

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #5 Alec Bohm / 2024 Chachi #7 Nick Castellanos

The Philly Show Report - 12 Years Gone in a Flash

Last Sunday, Doug and I made the hour-plus drive to Oaks, Pennsylvania for the latest installment of The Philly Show, now a major sports card and memorabilia event with eBay as its corporate sponsor.  Doug's first winter track meet of the 2024-25 season precluded us from going on Saturday and obtaining a So Taguchi autograph, but the word was Sunday's crowds were much smaller and more manageable.  Our oldest son is in his senior year of High School, so it shouldn't have caught me off guard when he commented on the way into the show, "This could be my last one of these for a while."

His first baseball card show was somehow already 12 years ago.  It's been a blur since then.

His interests have changed over the years of course, and in the past his disposable income would have gone to low-numbered autographed or relic cards of recent, fringe Phillies players.  And while he did find a few moderately priced cards of Bailey Falter, Weston Wilson and Hans Crouse that gave him a smile, he ultimately opted to hang on to his money for gas, food, dates and other stuff a typical 18-year-old would spend his money on.  Still, I was glad to have him with me and I enjoyed what could have definitely been our last baseball card show together for a little bit.

The Oaks show floor is massive, and it's expanded since our last visit, last December.  We were there for a little over two hours and I saw maybe 40% or so of the show's offerings.  But I had some goals in mind, and having attained those goals, and run out of money, I was fine with the abbreviated visit.

• 1969 Topps Commons:  I pulled up a folding chair one more time at Uncle Dick's Cards, picking up where I had left off a year ago, and pulling commons I needed between card #500 and the final card in the set, #664.  I crossed 98 more cards off my list, and bundled in the Rollie Fingers rookie card for good measure and at a good price, given the stack of commons I had already committed to buy.

• 1969 Topps Stars:  Along with the Fingers card, I found a dealer with good prices on the Ted Williams and Brooks Robinson All-Star cards.

• 1955 Bowman Wrapper:  My sole non-focused purchase was a fairly beat-up 1955 Bowman wrapper.  Once I finish up my 1956 Topps blog, likely at some point in 2025, I'll officially begin collecting the 1955 Bowman set.  This wrapper will look great in the front of that set's binder.

• 1935 Diamond Stars Jimmie Foxx:  My monster purchase was the Foxx card from the Diamond Stars set I'm collecting, and slowly getting close to completing.  Doug gets credit for finding the slabbed Foxx card in his journeys.  The card was priced at almost twice what I ended up paying for it, and it won't officially enter my collection until Santa presents it on Christmas morning as my major gift for the year.

• 1969 and 1959 Topps Semistars:  Nearing the end of our stay, I added 14 semistars to our 1969 Topps set and six commons to our not-yet-collecting 1959 Topps set.

• 2024 Topps Factory Set / 2024 Topps Heritage Hobby Box:  And finally, before we made our way to the exit, I purchased an obligatory 2024 Topps factory set for Santa to also deliver on Christmas morning and we decided it would be fun to open a box of 2024 Topps Heritage once we were home.  (And I can confirm, it was fun.)

So that's a wrap on the first and only baseball card show we attended in 2024.  I'm excited for the 2025 baseball card shows, but I'm honestly more excited for whatever comes next for Doug in the coming year.

 

Happy Birthday Doug!

This young man has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, with limitless possibilities.  We're so proud of him every single day and can't wait to see what comes next.  Here's to a wonderful 2025, new adventures, continued success, abundant laughs, new memories, health and happiness.

Congrats to Dick Allen - Hall of Famer!

On Sunday night, the 16-member Classic Baseball Era Committee finally inducted Dick Allen into the Hall of Fame.  Allen will posthumously be inducted this summer as part of the Class of 2025.  The Phillies Room is thrilled for Allen's family, the Phillies organization, and those who have continuously lobbied to have Allen immortalized in the Hall.  Finally!

1964 Topps #243

1965 Topps #460

1966 Topps #80

1967 Topps #450

1967 Topps #309

1968 Topps #225

1969 Topps #350

1970 Topps #40

1971 Topps #650

1972 Topps #240

1973 Topps #310

1974 Topps #70

1975 Topps #400

1976 Topps #455

2024-25 Offseason - Pre-Thanksgiving Notes

2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #37

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #15

2022 Choice Delmarva Shorebirds #18

2024 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #7

Here's a look at a few recent Phillies-related news items as we head towards one of the best holidays of the year - Thanksgiving.

Lowy Joins Coaching Staff:  It looks as if the only turnover on manager Rob Thomson's coaching staff will be the assistant pitching coach.  Brian Kaplan recently left that role, taking the primary pitching coach position with the Diamondbacks.  He appeared on a few hard to find Phillies team-issued photo cards in 2022 and 2023, and I don't believe there are too many of those in the wild.

Replacing Kaplan is Mark Lowy.  Lowy joined the Phillies' organization in 2021 and has served as a backroom pitching analyst since then.  He played college baseball at Gettysburg College and has no baseball cards (yet) to his name.

Painter Wins Award:  On the road to recovery following Tommy John surgery, Andrew Painter (rhp) was named as the Arizona Fall League's Pitcher of the Year.  He was 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in six starts, striking out 18 and walking four over 15 2/3 innings.  I would expect to see Painter hopefully pitching in Philly at some point in 2025.

40-Man Roster Moves:  On Tuesday, the Phillies added pitching prospects Mick Abel (rhp), Jean Cabrera (rhp) and Moises Chace (rhp) to their 40-man roster, protecting them from the upcoming rule 5 draft.  John McMillon, claimed off waivers from the Marlins on November 4th, cleared waivers and was outrighted to the IronPigs.  The Phillies currently have 39 spaces filled on their 40-man roster.

2024-25 Offseason Begins - More November Notes

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #3

Last week, I kicked off my offseason posting with a few early roster moves made by the Phillies in the days following their unceremonious departure from the postseason.  I neglected to comment on the departure of several minor league free agents, who left the organization on November 4th.  Baseball America posted a list of 21 Phillies minor leaguers whose contracts expired after six seasons.  This list included former Phillies Yunior Marte (rhp), Luis F. Ortiz (rhp), Kolby Allard (lhp) and Rodolfo Castro (inf), as covered in my post from Wednesday.

Also included on the list were Darick Hall (1b) and David Dahl (of).  Dahl appeared in 19 games for the Phillies, batting .207 with three home runs and eight RBIs.  16 of those 19 games were starts in June in left field (12), DH (3) and right field (1).  He's in the IronPigs team set this year, but has yet to appear on a Phillies baseball card.

Hall was a long-time IronPig, one of the franchise's all-time fan favorites, and among the leaders in several all-time franchise offensive categories.  In 410 games in Lehigh Valley, Hall batted .253 with 76 home runs and 277 RBIs.  In 59 games with the Phillies in 2022 and 2023, Hall batted .226 with 10 home runs and 19 RBIs.  He was the club's opening day first baseman in 2023, following the devastating knee injury to Rhys Hoskins in spring training.  Hall got off to a slow start in 2023, but then suffered a thumb injury, and upon his return in July he could never quite get his bat going.  There are rumors Hall could find himself signing a lucrative contract to play in Asia.

I have 27 Hall cards in my Phillies collection, with this IronPigs card being the most recently added.

2024-25 Offseason Begins - Early November Notes (Part 2)

2024 Topps Heritage #242

2024 Topps #571

2024 Choice Rocket City Trash Pandas #13

Once I started summarizing the player moves over the first week of the offseason, I realized I needed to break everything into two posts given the flurry of activity on Monday, November 4th.  (Part 1 of these Early November Notes can be found here.)

Devin Sweet (rhp) was acquired from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations and added to the 40-man roster.  Sweet has pitched in seven big-league games, all in 2023, with the Mariners and Athletics.

John McMillon (rhp) was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins.  He's appeared in 14 games with the Royals and Marlins over the past two seasons, and was the winning pitcher in the Marlins game against the Phillies on September 7th.

Alan Rangel (rhp) who appeared in 10 games for the IronPigs in 2024, and who had pitched in seven seasons in the Braves' minor league system, was added to the 40-man roster.

Clearing space on the 40-man roster, the Phillies outrighted Yunior Marte (rhp), Luis F. Ortiz (rhp), Freddy Tarnok (rhp), Kolby Allard (lhp) and Rodolfo Castro (inf), with all clearing waivers and becoming free agents.  Marte relieved in 63 games for the Phillies over the past two seasons, and was 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in 65 1/3 innings pitched.  Ortiz appeared in 15 games for the Phillies, with just one game this past season, and had a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings pitched.  He spent the bulk of 2024 on the injured list.

Tarnok never pitched for the Phillies.  Allard was a somewhat reliable emergency fifth starter for the club, going 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA, finding his most success in two starts in August.  Added to the NLDS roster, he didn't appear in any of the four games.  Like Ortiz, Castro was injured for a lot of 2024, and never got the call back to the majors.  In 14 games with the Phillies in 2023, he batted .100 (3 for 30).  Marte, Ortiz and Castro have their only Phillies cardboard appearances in the somewhat rare 2024 team-issued photo cards, shown below.

2024-25 Offseason Begins - Early November Notes (Part 1)

2024 Topps Heritage #79

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #7

2024 Topps Update #US232

2024 Topps Update #US239

The offseason officially began on Halloween eve, after the Dodgers stunned the Yankees in a 7-6 comeback victory, taking the World Series, four games to one.  As has been the case in recent years, I expect this blog will go mostly dormant over the winter months, as I continue to focus on my set-building efforts with my 1969 Topps blog, and as I near the end of my blog recounting how my Dad and I collected the 1956 Topps set over a 20-year period.

I'll check back in here every now and then with roster and transaction-related news, and I'd like to maybe work on updating my very out-of-date want lists over the winter months.  To kick off the three and half months of semi-hibernation, here's a look at the team's early offseason moves.

Minor League Free Agents:  Somewhat under the radar, three Phillies relievers became free agents on October 10th.  Dylan Covey (rhp), Nick Nelson (rhp) and Andrew Bellatti (rhp) all left the organization, with Covey quickly signing with the Mets.  Covey appeared in 28 games for the Phillies in 2023 and was 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 39 innings pitched.  He has nary a Phillies baseball card appearance.

Nelson and Bellatti were both key cogs in the team's 2022 bullpen, and then seemingly fell out of the Phillies' pitching plans the past two seasons.  Nelson was 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA in 52 games with the Phillies, and he pitched a scoreless, mop-up inning in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, won by the Astros, 7-0.  Bellatti appeared in 86 games, going 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 2022 and 2023.  He didn't allow a run in five postseason appearances and 4 1/3 innings pitched in 2022.  Both had cards in the team-issued photo card sets from 2022 and 2023.  Bellatti showed up in the 2023 and 2024 Topps Heritage sets, with both cards using the same photo.

On October 15th, Aramis Garcia (c) joined the ranks of minor league free agents.  Garcia appeared in three September games with the Phillies and was 0 for 7.  He appears in both editions of the 2024 Lehigh Valley IronPigs team sets.

Major League Free Agents:  Carlos Estevez (rhp), Jeff Hoffman (rhp) and Spencer Turnbull (rhp) all became free agents on Halloween.  I'd like to see Hoffman, and maybe even Turnbull, come back to the team.  Hoffman was an All-Star this year, and both he and Estevez struggled mightily in the NLDS.  Turnbull last pitched on June 26th, before injuries derailed his season.

Kingery Era Ends:  On November 1st, Scott Kingery (inf) was traded to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations.  He last suited up for the Phillies for one game in 2022, and over his decade in the organization, he batted .229 with 30 home runs and 96 RBIs at the big league level before settling into a regular role with the IronPigs.  Kingery was the club's everyday shortstop in 2018, and the club had signed him to a $24 million contract covering the 2018 to 2023 seasons.  I have 93 (!) Kingery cards in my Phillies collection.

40-Man Roster / Transaction Flurry:  I'll break this into two posts, with a look at the flurry of moves made on Monday next.

NLDS Game 4 - Epic Collapse Completed

Mets 4, Phillies 1
NLDS Game 4 - Wednesday Afternoon, October 9th in Flushing
Mets win series, 3-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies' epic collapse from first half juggernauts to second half and postseason pushovers was completed in this 4-1 loss to the Mets.

What It Means:  I have no idea, other than I'm going to complete this post and take a break from the Phillies for a little bit.  I doubt I'll watch much, if any, of the postseason.  I would think changes need to be made, but where do you start?  For two postseasons in a row, the Phillies mostly forgot how to hit.  The team batted .186 in the NLDS with 38 strikeouts.  And the strongest bullpen in baseball pitched to a 11.37 ERA.  What a mess.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez was continually and constantly in trouble, yet he somehow worked through 4 1/3 innings without allowing a run.  He struck out eight while allowing five hits and four walks.  Jeff Hoffman recorded the final two outs of the fifth inning and came back out to start the sixth.  His sequence went like this:  single, wild pitch, hit by pitch, wild pitch, walk, force out at home.  Carlos Estevez got the call from a bullpen and promptly allowed a season-ending grand slam to Francisco Lindor.

The Phillies' offense was once again dead.  Bryce Harper laced a lead-off double in the sixth, but was left stranded after Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto struck out and Bryson Stott hit a weak grounder to first to end the inning.  Castellanos had a pair of hits and finished the NLDS with a .412 average, one of the few (only?) bright spots from the Phillies other than Harper and Zack Wheeler.  Everyone else not named Harper or Castellanos batted .140 (14 for 100).  Realmuto was 0 for 11, Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm were both 1 for 13.

The long offseason begins today, and The Phillies Room will return after a brief therapeutic sabbatical.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #69 NLDS Game 3

NLDS Game 3 - Nola Can't Stop the Long Ball, Bats Continue to Slumber

Mets 7, Phillies 2
NLDS Game 3 - Tuesday Afternoon, October 8th in Flushing
Mets lead series, 2-1

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola gave up what felt like two unsurmountable solo home runs, and the Phillies offense managed two singles before the eighth inning in this 7-2 loss to the Mets.

What It Means:  Bad vibes everybody.  Pessimism is heavy and watching this game felt like three hours of torture.  The Phillies are lifeless.

What Happened:  Nola gave up a home run to Pete Alonso to start the bottom of the second, and Jesse Winker added a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.  Nola put a pair of runners on before being relieved by Orion Kerkering in the sixth, and Starling Marte lined a two-run single to center to score both inherited runners.  Jose Alvarado loaded the bases in the seventh with two walks and a single, and Jose Iglesias singled home two more runs to make it 6-0, Mets.  Carlos Estevez coughed up another meaningless run to the Mets in the eighth.

From the offensive side, Trea Turner singled in the third and Alec Bohm singled in the fourth.  Bohm was thrown out at second as he somehow thought he could stretch his single into a double.  Walks and hit by pitches gave them some chances, but overall the offense was 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position.  Austin Hays was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #68 NLDS Game 2 / 2024 Chachi #70 NLDS Game 4

Phillies at Mets - October 8th to October 9th

2024 Chachi Series Preview #12

2024 Chachi Series Preview #13

Tuesday and Wednesday 5:08
Citi Field - Flushing, NY

At the Ballpark:  With the series tied 1-1, the Phillies travel to Flushing with the hope of wrapping it up and advancing to the NLCS by Game 4.

Philadelphia Phillies 1-1
National League East Champions

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (0-0, 0.00)
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Nick Castellanos - .444
Runs:  Three tied with - 2
Home Runs:  Three tied with - 1
RBIs:  Three tied with - 2
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 2

Wins:  Jeff Hoffman - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 9
Saves:  N/A

New York Mets 1-1
Defeated Brewers in NLWCS, 2-1

Mets Probables
Sean Manaea (0-0, 3.60)
Jose Quintana (0-0, 0.00)

Mets Postseason Leaders
Average:  Mark Vientos - .400
Runs:  Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos - 5
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos - 2
RBIs:  Mark Vientos - 7
Stolen Bases:  Four tied with - 1

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Jose Quintana - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Luis Severino - 10
Saves:  David Peterson - 1

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

NLDS Game 2 - Casty, Resilient Phils Battle Back to Walk It Off!

Phillies 7, Mets 6
NLDS Game 2 - Sunday Afternoon, October 6th in Philadelphia
Series tied, 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  Lethargic early on, the Phillies piled on dramatic hits late, capped by Nick Castellanos' game-winning single in this exhausting 7-6 win over the Mets.

What It Means:  The series is tied up, and will resume with Game 3 on Tuesday.  After spending most of the weekend tense, it's nice to go into Monday in a good mood.

What Happened:  Continuing the theme from Saturday, the Phillies looked lifeless at the plate through the first five innings.  Cristopher Sanchez battled through his five innings of work, allowing a two-run home run to Mark Vientos in the third.  Jose Ruiz surrendered a Pete Alonso solo home run in the sixth to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.  In the bottom of the sixth, all with two outs, Trea Turner singled and then Bryce Harper and Castellanos went back-to-back with home runs to tie the game, 3-3.  There was finally some life at the ballpark.

The Mets quickly re-took the lead in the top of the seventh when Brandon Nimmo hit a two-out, solo home run off Orion Kerkering.  But the Phillies would continue to punch back.  In the bottom of the eighth, Harper walked, Castellanos singled, and Bryson Stott tripled them both home to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.  Stott would score an insurance run on a ground ball hit by J.T. Realmuto to Vientos at third, that should have been called an error when Vientos couldn't handle it.  The Phillies held a 6-4 lead.

In the top of the ninth, looking to close it out, Matt Strahm allowed a single to Francisco Lindor and then a game-tying, two-run home run to Vientos.  The Phillies would need another comeback in the bottom of the ninth, and they'd deliver.  Again with two outs, Turner and Harper both drew walks off Tylor Megill.  Castellanos lined a single to left to score Turner, sending the jubilant Phillies onto the field to celebrate one of the most thrilling wins in their postseason history.

Featured Card:  Stott and Castellanos had the big hits, so they get the highlight card.  I could have easily given Castellanos both panels of this 1984 Topps-inspired design.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #67 NLDS Game 1 / 2024 Chachi #69 NLDS Game 3

NLDS Game 1 - Phils Waste Wheeler's Gem

Mets 6, Phillies 2
NLDS Game 1 - Saturday Afternoon, October 5th in Philadelphia
Mets lead series, 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler pitched one of the best games of his career, but a quiet Phillies offense couldn't support the ace's outing in this nauseating 6-2 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies will try for a home split this afternoon with Cristopher Sanchez on the mound.  Games 3 and 4 will be Tuesday and Wednesday in Flushing.

What Happened:  Wheeler allowed one single in seven innings of work, while walking four and striking out nine.  Phillies Notes posted on X that Wheeler now has a 2.18 ERA in 12 career starts and 13 games overall in the postseason.  His nine strikeouts give him 77 for the postseason, tying him with Cole Hamels for the franchise all-time lead.

Kyle Schwarber gave us the only thing to cheer about from the offensive side, leading off the game with a second deck home run off Mets' starter Kodai Senga.  From that point on, Senga, David Peterson, Reed Garrett and Phil Maton limited the potent Phillies' line-up to three hits between the first and eighth innings.  The Phillies were 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Wheeler departed after seven innings, and the usually dependable Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering gave us a nightmare top of the eighth inning.  The Mets batted around, scoring five runs on five hits and a walk, giving them an insurmountable 5-1 lead.

Featured Card:  Let's hope this is the first of many postseason subset cards from this year's Chachi set.

Field Report:  Jenna and I attended this game from our preferred perch in Section 315.  We arrived more than an hour before game-time, giving us plenty of time to check out (and purchase) some postseason merchandise and pose for a picture in front of the awesome mural right outside Pass and Stowe.  Settling into our seats, we waved our towels and cheered throughout the pregame ceremony, Schwarber's home run, and every Wheeler inning.  But the thing we kept saying, along with 45,000-plus other fans in attendance, was "We need more runs."  We departed the ballpark quickly and quietly, hoping for some life from the bats on Sunday.

Transaction:  Taijuan Walker (rhp) and Buddy Kennedy (inf) were left off the NLDS roster, with Kolby Allard (lhp) and Weston Wilson (inf) both making the cut.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #66 Phils Clinch N.L. East HL / 2024 Chachi #68 NLDS Game 2