Game 61 - Hoffman Over Romano in Battle of Closers

Philadelphia Phillies	1
Toronto Blue Jays	2

2024 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards

Wednesday Night, June 4th

Rogers Centre - Toronto, Ontario
37-24, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense was quiet, and Jordan Romano couldn't shut down his former team as the Blue Jays walked it off with a 2-1 win.

What It Means:  The rubber match of this three-game series is this afternoon, and then the Phillies head to Pittsburgh for a weekend set.

What Happened:  Mick Abel returned to the majors for his second start, allowing a run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings.  The Blue Jays' first run came in the sixth on an RBI-triple from Bo Bichette, chasing Abel from the game.  Nick Castellanos had hit a solo home run in the second to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.  

Other than Casty's homer, the line-up managed four singles, including Alec Bohm's single to greet Blue Jays' closer Jeff Hoffman in the top ninth.  Bohm would be stranded and Romano entered to try to shut the Blue Jays down in the bottom of the ninth.  Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. singled, stole second and scored the winning run on a long single from Alejandro Kirk.

Featured Card:  Hoffman is 5-2 this year with a 5.74 ERA in 26 2/3 innings pitched.  He has 13 saves in 16 opportunities.  Romano is 0-2 this year with a 7.54 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched.  The Phillies' new closer has eight saves in 10 opportunities.  I know the price tag was high ($33 million over 3 years) but I'd rather have Hoffman in the back-end of the bullpen than Romano.

Transaction:  Abel (rhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley for the start, and Zack Wheeler (rhp) was placed on the paternity list.

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2024 Chachi #22 Jeff Hoffman

#23 / Jeffrey Robert Hoffman / Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'5"  Weight:  235
Opening Day Age:  31

Born:  January 8, 1993, Latham, NY
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, March 31, 2023

Major League Teams:  Colorado Rockies 2016-20; Cincinnati Reds 2021-22; Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

2024 Topps Update #US232

In a little over a year, Jeff Hoffman went from a minor league middle reliever, summoned to throw batting practice to a rehabbing Bryce Harper, to an All-Star closer.  Hoffman was 3-3 with a 2.17 and a team-leading 68 appearances last season.  He struck out 89 over 66 1/3 innings pitched and converted 10 saves.  Hoffman traveled to Arlington for the All-Star Game, and would have gotten the chance to save the game had the National League managed a late-inning comeback.  In two seasons with the Phillies, Hoffman was dominant at times and he's currently looking to parlay his mid-career resurgence into a lucrative multi-year contract as a free agent.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft #DP6
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (6):  2017-2018, 2020-2022, 2024
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Update #US232
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  3 as of 12/21/24, 2 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #38

2024 Chachi #22

2024 Chachi #43 - Eight All-Stars

2024 Chachi #51 - All-Star

2024 Chachi Series Previews #2

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2024 Chachi #21 Seranthony Dominguez / 2024 Chachi #23 Yunior Marte

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.

Phillies Stars Shine in Arlington, But National League Falls

American League 5, National League 3
All-Star Game - Tuesday Night, July 16th in Arlington

One Sentence Summary:  Without Rob Thomson at the helm, the National League All-Stars fell to the American League All-Stars by a score of 5-3.

What It Means:  I decided to let go of how I felt about the horrid uniforms, especially the American League's, and enjoy the game.  The game has definitely lost its luster over the years, and I don't get quite as excited about it as I used to, but it's still cool to see all the best players in the majors come together and play.  I admittedly had no idea who some of these guys were though, especially some of the American League players.

What Happened:  Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run home run in the top of the third, but the American League countered with three runs of their own on a Juan Soto two-run double and a David Fry RBI single in the bottom of the third.  Boston's Jarren Duran broke the tie with a two-run home run in the fifth off Hunter Greene.

Featured Cards:  The Phillies had a record eight All-Stars, which means I created a record nine cards for the game, plus a bonus highlight card for Alec Bohm's fine performance in the Home Run Derby.  The derby was held on Monday night, with Bohm surprisingly advancing to the semifinal round, only to fall by one home run to the Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez, the eventual derby winner.

Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Alec Bohm were all starters for the National League, and I admittedly enjoyed the trio being miked up for the game's bottom of the second inning.  All three also collected hits.  Batting third, Turner went 1 for 3 with a single in the third off Tanner Houck, right after Ohtani's home run.  Harper was 1 for 3 out of the clean-up spot, collecting a two-out double off starter Corbin Burnes in the first inning.  And Bohm was 1 for 2, singling off Garrett Crochet in the fourth.

Ranger Suarez and Zack Wheeler both missed the trip with minor ailments, leaving three Phillies pitchers in the National League bullpen.  Cristopher Sanchez was up first in the bottom of the sixth, retiring two batters on two pitches and calling it a night.  He induced a pair of ground-outs from Isaac Paredes and Josh Naylor.  Matt Strahm got one batter in the bottom of the seventh, striking out Bobby Witt Jr. on five pitches.  And Jeff Hoffman, who would have closed the game had the National League held a lead, recorded the final out in the bottom of the eighth, with Willi Castro grounding out.

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2024 Chachi #42 Tyler Phillips / 2024 Chachi #53 Austin Hays

Phillies at Rockies - May 24th to May 26th

2024 Chachi 1984 Topps Missing Links #16

2024 Chachi Series Previews #2

Friday 8:40, Saturday 9:10, Sunday 3:10
Coors Field - Denver, CO

At the Ballpark:  Purchasers of a special Class of 2024 Ticket Package to the game tonight will receive a Class of 2024 Rockies t-shirt.  The Rockies will wear their City Connect uniforms on Saturday night.

Philadelphia Phillies 37-14
1st Place in the N.L. East, 6 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Cristopher Sanchez (2-3, 3.31)
Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.05)
Ranger Suarez (9-0, 1.36)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .323
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 38
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 12
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 46
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 13

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 9
ERA:  Ranger Suarez - 1.36
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 76
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 9

Colorado Rockies 16-33
5th Place in the N.L. West, 15 1/2 games behind the Dodgers

Rockies Probables
Ty Blach (1-2, 5.14)
Dakota Hudson (1-7, 5.89)
Cal Quantrill (3-3, 3.59)

Rockies Leaders
Average:  Elias Diaz - .320
Runs:  Brenton Doyle - 30
Home Runs:  Ryan McMahon - 9
RBIs:  Ryan McMahon - 30
Stolen Bases:  Brenton Doyle - 10

Wins:  Cal Quantrill - 3
ERA:  Austin Gomber - 2.76

Strikeouts:  Ryan Feltner - 48
Saves:  Jalen Beeks - 4

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2023 Chachi #38 Jeff Hoffman

#68

Jeffrey Robert Hoffman
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'5"  Weight:  235
Opening Day Age:  30

Born:  January 8, 1993, Latham, NY
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, March 31, 2023

Contract Status:  Free agent, 2025
Major League Teams:  Colorado Rockies 2016-2020; Cincinnati Reds 2021-2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2023

Jeff Hoffman spent parts of seven seasons as a middle reliever with the Rockies and Reds, before joining the Phillies as a free agent at the end of spring training.  So far, he's enjoying the best season of his career, owning a 2.59 ERA (through Sunday) over 30 appearances and 31 1/3 innings pitched.  Hoffman had his contract selected on May 5th, replacing Yunior Marte at the time in the Phillies' bullpen, and he's stuck around ever since.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft #DP6
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5):  2017-2018, 2020-2022
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #26
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  1 as of 8/7/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #38

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2023 Chachi #37 Bryce Harper / 2023 Chachi #39 Ranger Suarez

Game 93 - Phillies End Long Day of Baseball with 12th Inning Win

2023 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #26

Phillies 7, Padres 6 (12 Innings)
Game 93 - Sunday Afternoon, July 16th in Philadelphia
Record - 51-42, 3rd Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies impressively won this game in the 12th inning, ending a very long day of baseball with a 7-6 win over the Padres.

What It Means:  The game itself was 3 1/2 hours long following a nearly 3-hour rain delay at the outset.  Following an off-day Monday, the Brewers come to town for three games beginning on Tuesday night.

What Happened:  Down 3-1 after five innings, the Phillies scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a brief lead.  Kyle Schwarber homered, J.T. Realmuto laced a two-run double down the left field line and Drew Ellis drew a bases loaded walk.  The Padres tied it up, 5-5, in the eighth off reliever Gregory Soto, spoiling Zack Wheeler's potential win.  Wheeler had gone seven innings, allowing three runs on a pair of home runs while striking out seven.  In the 10th, both teams traded runs to prolong the game further.  Finally, in the 12th, Johan Rojas bunted ghost runner Edmundo Sosa to third with a perfect sacrifice.  Kyle Schwarber then lofted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Sosa and giving the Phillies the win.

Jeff Hoffman was big out of the Phillies' bullpen, earning the win with two perfect innings of work.

Featured Card:  I'll give Hoffman the Featured Card here, and it's the only card of his to date in my collection from the IronPigs team set.

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Game 41 - Phils Can't Overcome Brutal 2nd Inning in Loss

2020 Topps Heritage #641

Giants 6, Phillies 3
Game 41 - Late Monday Night, May 15th in San Francisco
Record - 20-21, Tied for 2nd Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Another rough outing from Bailey Falter and a costly Bryson Stott error led to this 6-3 loss in San Francisco.

What It Means:  These two teams face off again late tonight, and maybe I'll make it through more than two innings.  (Or maybe not.)

What Happened:  Connor Brogdon served as an opener, but departed with the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning.  Falter entered and worked out of the jam, but then had a miserable second inning.  Six Giants runs crossed the plate after Stott missed a relay throw on what was a likely double play.  The big blow was a three-run home run by Michael Conforto.  Falter would settle down somewhat after that, but he's now 0-7 after allowing six runs (all unearned) on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.  

Alec Bohm hit a two-run home run in the second, and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to account for all three Phillies runs.  Overall, the Phillies offense was 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Jeff Hoffman pitched the final two innings for the Phillies, striking out four and needing just 26 pitches.  He has yet to allow a run in three Phillies outings.  After spending spring training with the Twins, he was released on March 28th, and signed a few days later with the Phillies.  Hoffman is a veteran of seven big league seasons, spending five years with the Rockies as a swing man.

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