Phillies at Diamondbacks: June 12th to June June 15th

1965 Topps #352

2023 Chachi Series Previews #3

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:40, Thursday 3:40
Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ

At the Ballpark:  I'm somewhat surprised there are no promotions, no theme nights and nothing special scheduled at Chase Field during this four-game series.

Phillies 32-33
3rd Place in the N.L. East, 8 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Matt Strahm (4-3, 3.61)
Zack Wheeler (4-4, 3.91)
Ranger Suarez (1-2, 4.70)
Aaron Nola (5-5, 4.60)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Nick Castellanos - .312
Runs:  Nick Castellanos - 40
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 17
RBIs:  Nick Castellanos - 38
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 9

Wins:  Taijuan Walker - 6
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 3.91

Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 87
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 9

Diamondbacks 40-25
1st Place in the N.L. West, 3 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers

Diamondbacks Probables
Tommy Henry (3-1, 4.37)
Zach Davies (1-1, 4.68)
Merrill Kelly (8-3, 2.92)
Ryne Nelson (3-3, 4.95)

Diamondbacks Leaders
Average:  Corbin Carroll - .308
Runs:  Corbin Carroll - 47
Home Runs:  Corbin Carroll - 13
RBIs:  Lourdes Gurriel - 39
Stolen Bases:  Corbin Carroll - 19

Wins:  Merrill Kelly - 8
ERA:  Merrill Kelly - 2.92
Strikeouts:  Zac Gallen - 93
Saves:  Andrew Chafin - 8

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Reds at Phillies: April 7th to April 9th

2014 Topps Heritage #432

1965 Topps #352

Friday 3:05, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

At the Ballpark:  This afternoon is the home opener with all fans receiving a 2022 National League Champions banner.  Saturday is "opening night" and all fans 15 and over will receive a National League Champions t-shirt.  And on Sunday, the Phillies will receive their Championship rings in a pregame ceremony, with fans able to take pictures with the Championship trophy in the first base plaza.

Reds 3-2
3rd Place in the N.L. Central, 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers

Reds Probables
Hunter Greene (0-0, 8.10)
Nick Lodolo (1-0, 3.60)
Graham Ashcraft (1-0, 1.29)

Reds Leaders
Average:  Jonathan India - .389
Runs:  Jonathan India - 7
Home Runs:  Jason Vosler - 3
RBIs:  Jason Vosler - 7
Stolen Bases:  Jonathan India - 1

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Graham Ashcraft - 1.29
Strikeouts:  Nick Lodolo - 9
Saves:  Alexis Diaz and Derek Law - 1

Phillies 1-5
4th Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (0-1, 8.31)
Bailey Falter (0-1, 3.38)
Taijuan Walker (0-1, 8.31)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Bryson Stott - .435
Runs:  Nick Castellanos - 4
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 2
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 4
Stolen Bases:  Three tied with - 1

Wins:  Andrew Bellatti - 1
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 7.45

Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 9
Saves:  N/A

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

1965 Topps - 4th Series Phillies Alumni

Having recently completed our 1965 Topps set, the final card we added was posted on my 1965 Topps blog yesterday.  The only remaining tasks are to finish up a few more of this Phillies Alumni posts, showcasing the cards of former players, coaches and managers who appeared in that iconic set.  And I'll be spending all of 2023 with this set's design as it's the basis of the 2023 Chachi custom card set.

Here's a look at the 15 cards in the fourth series of the 1965 Topps set (cards 265 to 352) with a Phillies connection.

#275

#280

#288

#294

#296

#310

#313

#322

#324

#327

#334

#338

#339

#346

#352

1965 Topps 3rd Series Phillies Alumni / 1965 Topps 5th Series Phillies Alumni

Pondering the 2019 Chachi Design - Reader Input Requested #Collect

1971 Topps #119

1972 Topps #528

1984 Topps #101

1986 Topps #585

1987 Topps Traded #103T

It's about this time each year that I start to think ahead to the next season and the design I'll use for my annual custom Phillies team set.  I've called these cards "Chachi" cards since first creating the set during the 2005 season in honor of our late, great first dog, Chachi.  I've been working my way through the Topps designs of the 1970s and 1980s, and my choices are dwindling in terms of sets I've not yet tackled.

As a look into this annual process, here's a summary of what sets are off the board (for now) since they've already been used, and a look at the handful of sets still remaining.

1970 Topps - 2016 Chachi
1973 Topps - 2013 Chachi
1974 Topps - 2010 Chachi
1975 Topps - 2005 Chachi
1976 Topps - 2007 Chachi
1977 Topps - 2008 Chachi
1978 Topps - 2018 Chachi
1979 Topps - 2012 Chachi
1980 Topps - 2009 Chachi
1981 Topps - 2006 Chachi
1982 Topps - 2017 Chachi
1983 Topps - 2011 Chachi
1985 Topps - 2015 Chachi
1988 Topps - 2014 Chachi

And the candidates for the 2019 Chachi set:

1971 Topps - I've come close to using this design so many times, but I've never been able to pull the trigger.  The actual 1971 Topps set is awesome, but I'm afraid I'd get tired of creating cards with the all-black border half-way through the season.  I either need to use this design in 2019, or wait a few years as Topps will be using this design for its 2020 Topps Heritage set.

1972 Topps - I can say the same thing about the 1972 Topps set - awesome set, but I could get tired of the psychedelic tombstone design by early summer.  And there's no way I'm talented enough to re-create the team name font so I'd have to scan in a card for each team I wanted to feature and I'd pass on making cards for minor league teams.  No fun.

1984 Topps - This design has grown on me, and I'm far enough away from having used the 1983 Topps design that maybe it's time to give this a shot.  As an added bonus, it's colorful.

1986 Topps - This set is also a dark horse candidate, and it's moved up in the rankings since someone gave me the name of the font to use for the team name (Napoli Serial Heavy).  But it's somewhat of a boring design.

1987 Topps - Like the 1971 Topps design, I've come close to using this in the past but Topps' over-saturation of 1987 Topps style cards as inserts in prior years caused me to back away.

1989 Topps - I'll probably never use this design.  I wouldn't know how to re-create the style and font used for the team name and I'd have to go the 1972 Topps route (see above) if I were to use this set's design.

1965 Topps #352

1981 Donruss #175

1982 Donruss #219

1983 Fleer #163

1991 Topps #618

I've also recently given some thought to leaving the friendly confines of the Topps sets from these two decades and using the design of one of my other favorite sets.

1965 Topps - My favorite design from the 1960s.
1981 Donruss - One of the first sets I remember collecting, and I've always had a soft spot for the very early Donruss designs.
1982 Donruss - See above.
1983 Fleer - Another nostalgic set for me with a simple design.
1991 Topps - My son Doug has become partial to this set's design for some reason.  Given that 2020 will be the 15th anniversary of the first Chachi set, maybe I'll go with this design then and replace the "40" from the original with a "15".

What do you think?  What set would you like to see on this blog throughout next season?  Any other sets I'm omitting that deserve consideration?

Series Preview - Reds at Phillies: May 13th to May 15th

Friday and Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Reds 14-20, 4th place in the N.L. Central, 11 1/2 games behind the Cubs
Phillies 20-15, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets and Nationals

Reds Probables:  Brandon Finnegan (1-1, 4.15), Tim Adleman (1-0, 2.45), Dan Straily (1-1, 3.47)
Phillies Probables:  Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.91), Aaron Nola (2-2, 3.13), Adam Morgan (1-0, 3.94)

At the Ballpark:  Tomorrow night is Teva Respiratory Night and all fans will receive a gray Phillies hat.  On Sunday, all kids will receive a Phillies wiffle ball and bat set and they'll be able to run the bases following the game.

Reds Leaders
Average:  Zack Cozart - .330
Runs:  Zack Cozart - 19
Home Runs:  Four tied with - 6
RBIs:  Jay Bruce - 23
Stolen Bases:  Billy Hamilton - 7

Wins:  Ross Ohlendorf and Blake Wood - 3
ERA:  Dan Straily - 3.47
Strikeouts:  Dan Straily - 30
Saves:  Tony Cingrani - 2

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .339
Runs:  Odubel Herrera - 22
Home Runs:  Ryan Howard - 8
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 19
Stolen Bases:  Odubel Herrera - 6

Wins:  Vince Velasquez - 4
ERA:  Vince Velasquez - 2.70
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola and Vince Velasquez - 49
Saves:  Jeanmar Gomez - 13

1970 Topps #115

1970 Topps #181

1970 Topps #507

1970 Topps #409

1970 Topps Appreciation:  Since this is the last time the Phillies will face the Reds in 2016, I'm cramming in a quartet of cards.  Each of these players (and manager) also have Phillies connections.

Alex Johnson started his 13-year career with the Phillies, appearing in 140 games primarily in left field in 1964 and 1965.  He'd enjoy his best season in 1970, but it wasn't with the Reds.  Johnson was traded to the Angels in November 1969 and he'd have an All-Star season in California, hitting a league leading .329 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs.

This is Sparky Anderson's rookie card as a manager, as he took over the Reds in 1970 guiding them to a National League pennant.  His actual rookie card can be found within the 1959 Topps set from when he was the starting second baseman for the Phillies.

Pat Corrales and Johnson were teammates on the 1964-1965 Phillies teams.  Both were part of a big six-player trade in October 1965 with the Cardinals.  Corrales spent parts of five seasons with the Reds beginning in 1968, his longest stint with any team.  He'd come back to the Phillies as their manager in 1982.

Bobby Tolan was the starting center fielder for the Reds between 1969 and 1973, missing the entire 1971 season due to an Achilles injury.  He joined the Phillies for the 1976 and 1977 seasons, appearing in 125 games and hitting .253.

Indians at Phillies: May 14th to May 15th

Tuesday 7:05 and Wednesday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Indians 21-16, 2nd Place in the A.L. Central, 1/2 game behind the Tigers
Phillies 18-21, 3rd Place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games behind the Braves

Indians Probables:  Scott Kazmir (2-1, 4.87), Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.64)
Phillies Probables:  Jonathan Pettibone (2-0, 3.63), Cole Hamels (1-5, 4.18)

At the Ballpark:  All fans will receive a nice-looking blue Phillies hat tonight as part of the Teva Respiratory Asthma Awareness Night.  On Wednesday afternoon, and I'm not making this up, fans will have a chance to meet the popular children's group The Wiggles from 1:30 until 2:30.  The Wiggles will dance with the Phanatic on top of the Phillies dugout during the seventh inning stretch.

Phillies Leaders

Average:  Michael Young - .310

Runs:  Chase Utley - 21

Home Runs:  Chase Utley - 7

RBIs:  Chase Utley - 24

Stolen Bases:  Ben Revere - 7

Wins:  Kyle Kendrick and Cliff Lee - 4

ERA:  Kyle Kendrick - 2.47

Strikeouts:  Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee - 43

Saves:  Jonathan Papelbon - 7

1973 Topps #272 and #425

1973 Topps Flashback:  Today's flashback features a member of the infamous 1964 Phillies team and a former pitcher who spent time with the Phillies in both the '70s and the '80s.

Alex Johnson made his debut with the Phillies at the age of 21 on July 25, 1964.  He was viewed as the left fielder of the future when he arrived, but his time with the club lasted just two seasons.  In 140 games with the Phillies, he hit .296 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.  Following the 1965 season, Johnson was part of a six-player trade with the Cardinals that saw the Phils ship Pat Corrales and Art Mahaffey to St. Louis in exchange for Dick Groat, Bob Uecker and Bill White.  For the Cardinals, Johnson was the key to the deal.

I had no idea how much Johnson seemingly struggled with his mental health throughout his career until I read this fascinating biography over at the SABR website.  Johnson was already playing for his sixth team (the Rangers) by the time his 1973 Topps card was released.  He appeared as a Phillie within the 1964 and 1965 Topps sets.

Ed Farmer came up with the Indians in 1971.  He pitched in parts of three seasons with Cleveland and a half season with Detroit, before coming to the Phillies at the end of Spring Training in 1974.  Farmer appeared in just 14 games with the Phils in '74, and he didn't make it back to the Majors until 1977 for a two batter appearance with the Orioles.  The Phils signed him as a free agent prior to the 1982 season, and he went 2-6 in 47 games with the club.  He earned his release in August 1983 after putting up the Quallsian numbers of 0-6 with a 6.08 ERA.

Farmer appeared in the 1974 Phillies Photo Card set (if you can find one of those sets for sale, please let me know) and he appeared on eight Phillies cards from 1982 to 1983 commemorating his second stint in maroon pinstripes.  Farmer has broadcast White Sox games since 1991, and today he's the team's primary play-by-play broadcaster.