Tuesday, December 31, 2024

2024 Chachi #14 Cristian Pache


#19 / Cristian Rafael Pache / Outfield
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  25
Born:  November 19, 1998, Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Phillies for Billy Sullivan, March 29, 2023
Major League Teams:  Atlanta Braves 2020-21; Oakland Athletics 2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24; Baltimore Orioles 2024; Miami Marlins 2024
Postseason Appearances:  Atlanta Braves 2020-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2023

2024 Topps #456
There were high hopes for Cristian Pache when the Phillies acquired him one day into the 2023 season, as he had always been viewed as an exciting player with a high upside.  Injuries limited him to 48 games in 2023, and similar to Whit Merrifield, he never got things going in 2024.  Pache batted .202 in 50 games with the Phillies in 2024, connecting for five doubles and nine RBIs.  The highlight of his season came on April 16th when he singled home Bryson Stott in a walk-off win against the Rockies.  On July 26th, Pache and Seranthony Dominguez were dealt to the Orioles for outfielder Austin Hays.  In hindsight, it would have been nice to still have Dominguez.  Pache played in three games for the Orioles before being claimed off waivers by the Marlins on August 2nd.  He'd finish the season in Miami, appearing in 35 games and batting .183.  As of this writing, Pache has reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2017 Topps Heritage Minor League #168
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (4):  2021-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps #456
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  6 as of 12/21/24, 4 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #14

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2024 Chachi #13 Whit Merrifield


#9 / Whitley David Merrifield / Outfield-Second Base
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  195
Opening Day Age:  35
Born:  January 24, 1989, Florence, SC
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies, February 19, 2024
Major League Teams:  Kansas City Royals 2016-22; Toronto Blue Jays 2022-23; Philadelphia Phillies 2024; Atlanta Braves 2024
Postseason Appearances:  Toronto Blue Jays 2022-23

2024 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215
I was thrilled when the Phillies signed Whit Merrifield in February to serve as a super utility player and likely the first bat off the bench for manager Rob Thomson.  Merrifield had long been a favorite player of our oldest son Doug, as Doug also prides himself on being able to play pretty much any position on the diamond.  Unfortunately, Merrifield never quite got it going offensively.  After hitting his peak on May 4th with a .250 average, Merrifield batted .173 over his next 36 games, causing the Phillies to release him on July 12th.  The Braves would sign him 10 days later, and Merrifield fared a little better in Atlanta, batting .248 in 42 games.  In his short, 53-game career with the Phillies, Merrifield, still a Phillies Room Favorite, batted .199 with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2016 Topps Heritage #683
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (7):  2018-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Philadelphia Phillies Kids Club / Club 215
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  3 as of 12/21/24, 3 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #13

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Monday, December 30, 2024

2024 Chachi #12 Edmundo Sosa


#33 / Edmundo Israel Sosa / Infield
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'0"  Weight:  210
Opening Day Age:  28
Born:  March 6, 1996, Panama, Panama
Acquired:  Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Phillies for JoJo Romero, July 30, 2022
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  St. Louis Cardinals 2018-19, 2021-22; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24
Postseason Appearances:  St. Louis Cardinals 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Topps #562
Steady and reliable, Edmundo Sosa played in 90 games for the Phillies in 2024, batting .257 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs.  He filled in at shortstop for a month and a half in May through mid June while Trea Turner was out with an injury, batting a solid .272 with four of his seven home runs.  Overall, Sosa made 38 starts at shortstop, 17 starts at second base and 13 starts at third base.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft Scouts Breakout #BSB-ES
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2022-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps #562
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  13 as of 12/21/24, 3 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #12

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Sunday, December 29, 2024

2024 Chachi #11 Garrett Stubbs


#21 / Garrett Patrick Stubbs / Catcher
Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  170
Opening Day Age:  30
Born:  May 26, 1993, San Diego, CA
Acquired:  Traded by the Houston Astros to the Phillies for Logan Cerny, November 19, 2021
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2026
Major League Teams:  Houston Astros 2019-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24
Postseason Appearances:  Houston Astros 2020-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2023

2024 Topps #409
The universally recognized Vibe Captain for the Phillies, Garrett Stubbs has embraced his role as the seldom used back-up for the best catcher in baseball.  It's Stubbs who has cultivated the clubhouse post-win playlist since 2022, and he's typically found in the middle of any champagne-fueled parties following the clinching of a postseason victory.  Stubbs was one of eight Phillies on the active roster for every one of the 162 games in 2024.  He batted .207 with a home run and 11 RBIs, appearing in 54 games and making 47 starts behind the plate, in mostly day games.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP213
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5):  2020-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps #409
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  10 as of 12/21/24, 3 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #11

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Saturday, December 28, 2024

2024 Chachi #10 Zack Wheeler

 

#45 / Zachary Harrison Wheeler / Starting Pitcher
Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  195
Opening Day Age:  33
Born:  May 30, 1990, Smyrna, GA
Acquired:  Signed by the Phillies as a free agent, December 9, 2019
Contract Status:  Signed through 2027
Major League Teams:  New York Mets 2013-14, 2017-19; Philadelphia Phillies 2020-24
Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215
The ace of the pitching staff, Zack Wheeler had another fantastic season, finishing second in the league's Cy Young Award voting.  Wheeler earned his second All-Star Game nod, and was 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 32 starts and exactly 200 innings pitched.  He led the Phillies' pitching staff in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts, with 224.  He won his 100th career game on August 31st against the Braves.  Wheeler did all he could to help the Phillies advance in the postseason, pitching seven scoreless innings against the Mets in NLDS Game 1.  But the bullpen blew it in the eighth inning, ending Wheeler's season prematurely.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Prospects #BDPP86
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (12):  2013-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Philadelphia Phillies Kids Club / Club 215
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  82 as of 12/20/24, 18 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2023 Chachi #60 - NLWCS Game 1
2023 Chachi #71 - NLCS Game 5
2024 Chachi #10
2024 Chachi #43 - Eight All-Stars HL
2024 Chachi #48 - All-Star
2024 Chachi #67 - NLDS Game 1

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Friday, December 27, 2024

2024 Christmas Baseball Card Additions from Santa (and His Helpers)


We interrupt the daily 2024 Chachi card postings to bring a brief report on the annual Christmas baseball card additions to The Phillies Room.  It was another solid year in our household in the gift-giving department.

On Christmas morning, Santa delivered the previously seen 2024 Topps factory set and the Diamond Stars Jimmie Foxx card.  Also added to the mix was a 2024 Topps Holiday Mega Box, which was a lot of fun to open, and the very first card in the Diamond Stars set, Lefty Grove.  Truth be told, Grove was delivered to our house on December 1st, but I decided it was a big enough card that it should be under the tree with the Foxx card.  I had somewhat surprisingly won the Grove card in an eBay auction I had no intention of actually winning.  With the addition of Foxx and Grove, I'm down to needing just six more Diamond Stars cards for my version of a master set.  Progress on that set will likely slow until Christmas 2025.

We traditionally spend the day after Christmas at my Mom's house with my sister's family.  As is now tradition, there was a box of individually wrapped baseball cards waiting to be opened and cherished.  My Mom is going somewhat in order through my 1955 Bowman want list, since I'm not yet officially collecting the set.  She veered off the path of adding cards in order, opting to also track down the Whitey Ford and Roy Campanella cards, two names she recognized from my list and players she thought should enter my set build sooner rather than later.

I hope Santa (or his helpers) brought you plenty of new baseball cards this year too.  Happy New Year!
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2024 Chachi #9 Johan Rojas


#18 / Johan Stiven Rojas / Center Field
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  165
Opening Day Age:  23
Born:  August 14, 2000, San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent, January 18, 2018
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24
Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

2024 Topps Heritage #171
Johan Rojas was the Phillies' opening day center fielder, but a slow start and shaky defense led to a demotion to Lehigh Valley in mid-June.  He'd be back up relatively quickly due to an injury to Bryce Harper, batting .252 through the end of the season and improving on his defense.  Rojas made 102 starts in center field, more than any other player, and it would seem he'll battle Brandon Marsh for playing time in center in 2025.  For the season, he batted .243 with three home runs, 32 RBIs and 25 stolen bases, second most on the club.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2021 Bowman Heritage #156
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2024
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Heritage #171
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  26 as of 12/20/24, 14 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #9

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Thursday, December 26, 2024

2024 Chachi #8 Brandon Marsh


#16 / Brandon Chase Marsh / Left Field
Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  December 18, 1997, Buford, GA
Acquired:  Traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Phillies for Logan O'Hoppe, August 2, 2022
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2025
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Angels 2021-22; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24
Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2022-24

2024 Topps #71
Brandon Marsh was the opening day left fielder for the Phillies, and he'd spend the season in a quasi-platoon with the likes of Whit Merrifield, Austin Hays and Weston Wilson in left field and Johan Rojas in center field.  Heading into 2025, and with the recent signing of Max Kepler, it appears as if Marsh's playing time could continue to decrease.  The hirsute and speedy outfielder batted .249 in 135 games, with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.  I was a little surprised to learn his bWAR of 3.1 for the year was third on the club among position players, behind Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP241
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2022-24
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps #71
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  40 as of 12/20/24, 8 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #8

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Tuesday, December 24, 2024

2024-25 Offseason - Merry Christmas!

2024 Topps Chrome
Update #USC32
2024 Topps #101
 
2024 Topps #445
 
2024 Choice Jersey Shore
BlueClaws #8

I'm already doing a better job keeping this blog active throughout the offseason, as the last few years it sat mostly dormant between November and February.  As we get ready to celebrate Christmas and enjoy a much-needed winter break, here's a look at the Phillies news from the past month.

Hays Non-Tendered:  On November 22nd, the Phillies non-tendered Austin Hays (of) making the short-timer a free agent.  Hays suffered through injury and illness in his time with the Phillies, appearing in just 22 games and batting .256 with a pair of home runs.  He was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in the NLDS.  Hays' first (and only?) Phillies baseball card can be found in the 2024 Topps Chrome Update set.

Romano Added to Bullpen:  On December 9th, the Phillies added All-Star reliever Jordan Romano (rhp) to their bullpen, signing him to a one-year deal for $8.5 million.  An All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2022 and 2023, Romano appeared in only 15 games last season following an elbow injury.  He had saved 36 games each of the two seasons before that.

Rule 5 Results:  The Phillies selected Mike Vasil (rhp) in the annual rule 5 draft and then almost immediately traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.  In the minor league portion of the draft, the Phillies lost Eiberson Castellano (rhp), the franchise's most recent Paul Owens Award winner for minor league pitcher of the year, to the Twins.  Castellano had pitched as high as Double-A Reading in 2024.

Phils Add Kepler:  Seeking a corner outfield upgrade for 2025, the Phillies signed Max Kepler (off) to a one-year deal on December 20th.  Besides having one of the cooler cards in the 2024 Topps set, Kepler batted .253 last season with eight home runs and 42 RBIs.  He had played in 10 seasons with the Twins, enjoying a career year in 2019 when he connected for career highs in home runs (36) and RBIs (90).  Kepler is expecting to receive significant playing time in left field.

Luzardo Added to the Rotation:  Just when we thought the Phillies were done making major moves for the year, they announced a big trade with the Marlins the Sunday before Christmas.  Jesus Luzardo (lhp) and Paul McIntosh (c-of) were acquired from Miami for minor league prospects Starlyn Caba (ss) and Emaarion Boyd (of).  Luzardo joins a stacked rotation with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez, with Andrew Painter a possibility to join the rotation at some point over the summer.  Luzardo is under team control through the 2026 season.  Caba and Boyd had been ranked as the fourth and 23rd top prospects in the Phillies' system by MLB.com.  Tyler Gilbert (lhp) was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Luzardo.

Ross Joins Bullpen:  And one more amendment . . . On December 23rd, the Phillies signed free agent Joe Ross (rhp), who spent last season with the Brewers.  Before that, Ross pitched in six seasons with the Nationals.  Ross can relieve and start, but given the already crowded starting pitching rotation, I'm assuming he'll be yet another bullpen piece.  To make room on the 40-man roster for Ross, Jose Cuas (rhp) was designated for assignment.  Cuas had been claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays in early September.

2024 Topps #123
 
2024 Choice Pensacola
Blue Wahoos #17
2023 Bowman Chrome
Prospects #BCP-164
2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-2
 
2024 Topps Update #US135
 

There have also been a flurry of minor league signings by the Phillies, but I'll wait until they issue an official list of spring training non-roster invitees before writing further about any of those new players.

Merry Christmas everyone, and here's to a healthy, happy and safe 2025.  We've got this.
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Monday, December 23, 2024

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
2024 Chachi #7

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Sunday, December 22, 2024

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

2024 Chachi #6

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Friday, December 20, 2024

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.
 
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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

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.
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Sunday, December 8, 2024

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
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