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in here every now and then with roster and transaction-related news, and I'd like to maybe work on updating my very out-of-date want lists over the winter months.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.

Spring Training 2024: Phillies Announce 15 Non-Roster Invitees

2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #17

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #11

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #13

2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #12

In a sure sign we're getting closer to baseball again, the Phillies today announced their first 15 non-roster invitees to spring training, which will officially open next month in Clearwater, Florida.  I say "first" as the team has typically added on invitees as the reporting date approaches.  The list below summarizes the Phillies players who will likely be sporting numbers in the 70s and 80s and takes a look at their most recently released mainstream baseball cards, if any.  Only four of the players below are new to the Phillies organization for 2024.

Player (position) - 2023 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card

1.  Mick Abel (rhp) - Phillies - 2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

2.  Ryan Burr (rhp) - Rays - 2019 Topps Total (White Sox)

3.  Griff McGarry (rhp) - Phillies - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-GM

4.  Tyler McKay (rhp) - Phillies - N/A

5.  Tyler Phillips (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-TP

6.  Jose Ruiz (rhp) - White Sox / Diamondbacks - 2020 Topps Total #720 (White Sox)

7.  Nick Snyder (rhp) - Rangers - N/A

8.  Aramis Garcia (c) - Phillies - 2020 Topps Total #477 (Giants)

9.  Cody Roberts (c) - Phillies - N/A

10.  William Simoneit (c) - Athletics - N/A

11.  Scott Kingery (inf) - Phillies - 2022 Topps Opening Day Luck of the Irish #LI-3

12.  Nick Podkul (inf) - Phillies - N/A

13.  Carlos De La Cruz (of) - Phillies - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-CDC

14.  Matt Kroon (of) - Phillies - N/A

15.  Cal Stevenson (of) - Athletics / Giants / Phillies - 2023 Topps Heritage #508

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #20

2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #4

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #24

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #28

2023 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #29

Spring Training Game 17 - Braves Mash Phils; Kingery Stays Hot

2021 Topps #464

Braves 15, Phillies 5
Spring Training Game 17 - Tuesday Afternoon, March 14th in Clearwater
Record - 7-9-1

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez and a few other relievers were mashed by the Braves in this 15-5 loss.

What It Means:  We have just two more weeks of exhibition baseball before the games start counting.

What Happened:  Sanchez had been in the conversation for the team's fifth starter at the start of spring, but it seems as if he's better suited for a relief role.  He gave up four runs on four hits and a walk in his one inning of work in this game.  Nick Castellanos and Dustin Peterson both homered for the Phillies, while Scott Kingery raised his average to an unreal .522 (12 for 23) with two more hits.

Featured Card:  Good for Kingery.  He's making it a tough decision whether or not to keep him around for the opening day roster and I'm rooting for him to make it.  He spent mostly all of last season in the minor leagues, and I don't have any 2022 cards of his in my collection.  Per the TCDB, his one 2022 baseball card is a tough to find Topps Opening Day Luck of the Irish insert.  He somehow completely missed out on appearing in the Lehigh Valley IronPigs team set.

Camp Head Count:  55

Again, this is a somewhat misleading tally given the players who are currently appearing in the World Baseball Classic, and knowing Bryce Harper will begin the season on the 60-day Injured List.  Additionally, the 55 includes Noah Song (rhp) who is still on the team's Restricted List.

2022 Chachi #42 Scott Kingery

#4
Scott M. Kingery
Infield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  180
Opening Day Age:  27
Born:  April 29, 1994, Phoenix, AZ
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 2nd round of June 2015 amateur player draft
Contract Status:  Signed through 2023 with a club options for 2024, 2025 and 2026
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Minor League Card:  2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Top Prospects #12
First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman Draft #138
Newest Card Added:  2021 Topps 206
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (4):  2018-2021

91 - Kingery baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 6/10/22.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi Almost #17
2018 Chachi #12
2018 Chachi Friendly Encounters #4
2019 Chachi #11
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #20
2020 Chachi Preview #2
2020 Chachi #8
2021 Chachi #41
2022 Chachi #42

2018 Topps #409

2018 Topps Update #US14

2019 Topps #472

2020 Topps #216

2021 Topps #464

2022 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2022 Season Summary Index / 2022 Chachi Set Checklist

2022 Chachi #41 Rob Thomson MG / 2022 Chachi #43 Michael Kelly

2021 Chachi #41 Scott Kingery

#4
Scott M. Kingery
Infield-Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  180
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  April 29, 1994, Phoenix, AZ
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 2nd round of June 2015 amateur player draft
Contract Status:  Signed through 2023 with a club options for 2024, 2025 and 2026
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman Draft #138
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Top Prospects #12
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #4

Newest Card Added:  2021 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-282

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2018-2020

89 - Kingery baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 5/30/21.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi Almost #17
2018 Chachi #12
2018 Chachi Friendly Encounters #4
2019 Chachi #11
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #20
2020 Chachi Preview #2
2020 Chachi #8
2021 Chachi #41

Kingery was in his first opening day line-up to start the 2020 season, as the team's new regular second baseman.  In 2018, he appeared in 119 games at shortstop and in 2019 he played 65 games in center field with 41 games at third base.  The Phillies (and Kingery) were hoping that having a steady position in 2020 would increase his offensive production, but Kingery's offensive output has steadily declined.  He didn't make the club's opening day roster in 2021, and  when he was recalled for the first time on April 22nd, his slump only continued.  In 15 games this season, he was hitting .053 (1 for 19) before a concussion sent him to the injured list.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 38 - 2021 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-282 Scott Kingery

Nationals 5, Phillies 1
Game 38 - Thursday Afternoon, May 13th in Washington
Record - 20-18, 2nd Place, 1 1/2 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zach Eflin allowed two first inning home runs and the Phillies offense couldn't get going against Nationals starter Patrick Corbin in this 5-1 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies will have to try again for their first road series sweep since April 2018.  They flew to Florida following the game to open a weekend series against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

What Happened:  Eflin recovered after a four-run first inning to allow just one more Nationals run over the rest of his five innings of work.  He struck out nine.  The sole Phillies run came on a double steal in the first, in which Andrew McCutchen stole home.  The Phillies offense had six hits and went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  With nothing much to celebrate about this latest Phillies loss, here's the recently arrived Topps Now Road to Opening Day card for Scott Kingery.  My team sets, ordered back in February, arrived yesterday from Topps.  Kingery's position on the card is listed as "UTL" for utility, and I don't believe I've ever seen that as a position designation on a card before this.  

The last time the Phillies completed a three-game road series sweep was April 15, 2018 against the Rays.  Kingery had three RBIs in that game with Aaron Altherr contributing a three-run home run.  These days, Kingery appears lost at that plate and he's just 1 for 14 (.071) so far this season after beginning the year in Lehigh Valley.  Altherr is in his second season with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization and he's currently leading the Dinos with 11 home runs.  

Transaction:  J.T. Realmuto (c) was placed on the Covid-protocol injured list and Rafael Marchan (c) was recalled from Lehigh Valley.  Realmuto is not expected to miss significant time.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Spring Training Game 27 - 2020 Topps Big League #234 Scott Kingery

Phillies 6, Yankees 2
Spring Training Game 27 - Sunday Afternoon, March 28th in Clearwater
Record - 12-14-1

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler threw three scoreless innings in his final appearance of the exhibition season as the Phillies defeated the Yankees, 6-2.

What It Means:  After one final game on Monday afternoon, the Phillies will make the trip back to Philadelphia where they'll open the season on Thursday.

What Happened:  Wheeler struck out 4 in his outing and allowed only one hit.  The new and improved Phillies bullpen combined for six innings, allowing only 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 10.  Vince Velasquez, David Hale, Archie Bradley, Connor Brogdon and Brandon Kintzler will all be in the 'pen to start the season.  A group of mini-campers came through in the seventh driving in three runs.  Nick Maton doubled home Matt Vierling who had hustled to reach on a ground ball to avoid a double play.  Luis Garcia then doubled home Maton, with Bryson Stott singling home Garcia.

Featured Card:  See below.

Camp Head Count:  53 - 6 = 47.  Or 27, if you don't count the 20 mini-camp invitees still around.  The Phillies haven't had very many surprising roster moves lately, but this one came as a bit of a surprise.  Scott Kingery (inf-of), JoJo Romero (lhp) and Rafael Marchan (c) were all optioned to minor league camp.  The Kingery move makes sense, as he's struggled mightily for over a year now.  This will allow him to get some regular at-bats and hopefully figure out what's going on.  The Romero move surprised me.  He's been a reliable and consistent reliever since last year's shortened season and his demotion leaves Jose Alvarado as the only lefty in the bullpen to start the season.

In additional moves, Rodolfo Duran (c) and Travis Jankowski (of) were reassigned to minor league camp and Christian Bethancourt (c) was released.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 27 - 2020 Topps Gypsy Queen #240 Scott Kingery

Phillies 7, Braves 4 (11 Innings)
Game 27 - Friday Night, August 28th in Philadelphia
Record - 13-14, Tied for 3rd Place, 3 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Scott Kingery hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 11th to give the Phillies a walk-off, 7-4 win.

What It Means:  With both teams wearing Jackie Robinson's #42, the Phillies won their fourth in a row.

What Happened:  The extra innings were necessitated when Adam Morgan allowed back-to-back home runs to Ender Inciarte and Austin Riley in the 7th, tying the score at 4-4.  That wasted a solid outing from Phillies starter Zack Wheeler who went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits on only one earned run.  Fortunately, the suddenly reliable bullpen (other than Morgan), kept the Braves off the board the rest of the game.  Tommy Hunter, Hector Neris, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree and finally Blake Parker each pitched a scoreless inning.

The Phillies scored their first four runs on two-run home runs from Andrew McCutchen in the 3rd, and Jean Segura in the 4th.

Featured Card:  Kingery has looked lost at times this season, so it was great to see him come through with his big hit here.  He's lost regular playing time, his average is now only .134, and he only entered this game to pinch-run for the Phillies' 10th inning ghost runner to start the inning, originally Alec Bohm.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

2020 Chachi #8 Scott Kingery

#4
Scott M. Kingery
Second Base

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  180
Opening Day Age:  26
Born:  April 29, 1994, Phoenix, AZ
How Obtained:  Selected by Phillies in 2nd round of June 2015 amateur player draft
Contract Status:  Signed through 2023 with a club options for 2024, 2025 and 2026
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2018-

First Phillies Card:  2015 Bowman Draft #138
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2016 Choice Reading Fightin Phils Top Prospects #12
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2018 Phillies Team Issue #4

Newest Card Added:  2020 Topps Big League #234

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2018-2020

81 - Kingery baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 8/2/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2017 Chachi Almost #17
2018 Chachi #12
2018 Chachi Friendly Encounters #4
2019 Chachi #11
2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #20
2020 Chachi Preview #2
2020 Chachi #8

Kingery was in his first opening day line-up to start the 2020 season, as the team's new regular second baseman.  In 2018, he appeared in 119 games at shortstop and last season in played 65 games in center field with 41 games at third base.  The Phillies (and Kingery) are hoping that having a steady position only increases his offensive production.

Kingery missed the start of Summer Camp while he recovered from COVID-19.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Summer Camp Opens Today; Play Ball?

2020 Topps Now Road to
Opening Day #OD-276

Today is the day the Phillies open Spring Training II, or Summer Camp as it's being officially marketed by MLB.  The team will train at Citizens Bank Park and nearby FDR Park in Philadelphia over the next several weeks, with the possibility of up to three exhibition games.  There's already some drama surrounding the club's return, as they placed four players mysteriously on the injured list yesterday with no explanation and apparently the list was made public accidentally.  Matt Gelb recounts the transaction snafu in an article for The Athletic.  To sum up the situation, the players have landed on the new COVID-19 injured list but that list was intended to stay private.  Someone input the transactions into MLB's database and the team's official website was updated showing the moves.  As of this writing, the moves are still publicly disclosed here.

2019 Choice Williamsport
Crosscutters #22

Camp Head Count:  53 + 3 - 4 = 52.  Tommy Hunter (rhp), Hector Neris (rhp), Ranger Suarez (lhp) and Scott Kingery (2b) were subtracted from the official camp head count, landing on the COVID-19 list.  This doesn't mean they necessarily have contracted the virus, but that they've been exposed to it or they are exhibiting symptoms.  In any event, the Phillies could be without their closer (Neris) and everyday second baseman (Kingery) if the season actually begins at the end of July.

Gelb also reported the Phillies had released and then re-signed pitcher Anthony Swarwak, who had been a non-roster invitee in Clearwater. Swarwak increased the Player Pool to 54 before the removal of the four players yesterday.

Finally, on Friday afternoon, it was announced catchers Henri Lartigue and Logan O'Hoppe had been added to the Player Pool, bringing the official count to 52 players in camp.  Lartigue had been a non-roster invitee earlier in the spring and O'Hoppe was a 23rd round pick by the Phillies in the 2018 draft.  He played for the Williamsport Crosscutters last season.  Up until adding these two catchers, the Phillies had only three catchers in camp.

2020 Phillies Want List

2020 Topps #246

Bowman Next Prospect Pool
Main Set - 25 Bohm, 30 Howard

Stadium Club

Base Variations - 30 Harper

Instavision - IR-BH Harper

Topps Series 1
Base Variations - 250 Harper SSP (Portrait)
1985 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary Autographs - 85A-AN Nola, 85A-BHA Harper
1985 Topps Baseball Relics - 85R-BH Harper, 85R-RHO Hoskins
Baseball Stars Autographs - BSA-NLA Nola, BSA-RH Hoskins

Topps Series 2
Base Variations - 467 McCutchen SP (1979 uniform), 467 McCutchen SSP (touching home), 687 Hoskins SSP (signing autographs)
1985 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary Autographs - 85A-RHO Hoskins
1985 Topps Baseball Relics - 85TR-AM McCutchen, 85TR-AN Nola, 85TR-JR Realmuto

Topps Allen & Ginter

Mini Exclusives Extended - 387 Harper

Topps Archives
Fan Favorites Autographs - FFA-JGI Girardi
1964 Topps Giant - 64O-RH Hoskins

Topps Big League
Ballpark Oddities - BPO-5 Velasquez

Topps Gallery

Heritage - HT-35 Harper

Topps Heritage
1971 Topps Baseball Tattoos - 27 Harper/Hoskins
1971 Topps Greatest Moments - 49 Hoskins
Real One Autographs - ROA-RH Hoskins

Topps Heritage High Numbers

1971 Bazooka Numbered Test Minis - BN-15 Hoskins

1971 Topps Baseball Tattoos - 32 Gregorius

1971 Topps Greatest Moments Box Loader - 8 Wise

1971 Topps Scratch-Offs - 24 Harper

1971 Topps Super Baseball Box Loader - 30 Harper

Real One Autographs - ROA-AN Nola, ROA-BH Harper, ROA-JRE Realmuto, ROA-ZW Wheeler

Topps Heritage Minor League

Real One Autographs - ROA-BST Stott

Topps Now
Bracket Bonanza - BB1-8 Harper

Topps Opening Day
Image Variations - 156 Hoskins, 188 Harper
Diamond Relics - DR-BH Harper, DR-RH Hoskins
Dugout Peeks - DP-2 Harper
Lighter Side of Baseball - LSB-11 Harper
Major League Mementos - MLM-BH Harper
Walk This Way - WW-5 Harper

Topps Pro Debut
Future Cornerstones Autographs - FCA-SH Howard

Topps Seattle Mariners
Main Set - SEA-17 McClain

Topps Throwback Thursday
Main Set - 9 Harper, 179 Harper

Topps Update

Base Variations - U-266 McCutchen SP (press conference), U-279 Harper SP (press conference), U-279 Harper SSP (back of jersey)

Decades' Best - DB-4 Roberts, DB-55 Phillies

2019 Phillies Want List / 2021 Phillies Want List

Game 144 - 2019 Phillies Team Issue 2 #4 Scott Kingery

Phillies 6, Braves 5
Game 144 - Tuesday Night, September 10th in Philadelphia
Record - 75-69, 3rd place, 14 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies were firing on all cylinders for this 6-5 win, with steady defense, five home runs and an impressive bullpen performance.

What It Means:  The Cubs lost, putting the Brewers a game behind and the Phillies two games behind for the second Wild Card.

What Happened:  The Phillies received first inning home runs from J.T. Realmuto (24), Bryce Harper (31) and Corey Dickerson (11), with Dickerson adding his second home run (12) of the game in the sixth.  It was the first time three Phillies had homered in the first inning since Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs and Chase Utley did it back on July 6, 2009.  (Per Meghan Montemurro Tweet.)

On defense, Harper threw out Ozzie Albies at third to limit further damage in the third inning and Realmuto threw out yet another baserunner, his 42nd on the year.

Starter Jason Vargas lasted three innings, but five Phillies relievers held the Braves to only one more run for the rest of the game.  Blake Parker turned in two scoreless innings, striking out four, and Hector Neris recorded his 25th save.

Featured Card:  Dickerson hitting two home runs would normally be enough to earn featured card honors, but Scott Kingery was the star of this game.  With the bases loaded in the third and the Phillies hanging on to a 4-3 lead, Kingery made a diving catch to save at least a few runs.  In the bottom of the third, he circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run after Ronald Acuna, Jr. leaped, caught the ball to bring it back from over the fence, but then dropped the ball mid-celebration.

Game 135 - 2019 Topps Allen & Ginter #381 Scott Kingery

Phillies 5, Mets 2
Game 135 - Sunday Night, September 1st in Philadelphia
Record - 7-65, 3rd place, 12 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Scott Kingery delivered a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning to send the Phillies to a 5-2 win.

What It Means:  The heartbeat is faint, but the Phillies are still alive.

What Happened:  Zach Eflin had a terrific outing, allowing only a solo home and three hits overall over seven innings.  Hector Neris allowed the tying run to score in the top of the eighth on a wild pitch, but he otherwise was once again terrific in recording the final five outs of the game.

The Phillies scored a pair of runs in the second on a Brad Miller home run (6) and another RBI single from Corey Dickerson.

Featured Card:  It was looking as if Eflin would get the featured card for this game summary post until Kingery laced his clutch double to center.

Field Report:  We were there!  After a nice dinner inside Pass and Stow, we found our seats in Section 122 and settled in for what would actually be an enjoyable ballgame.  The Mets fans were loud at times, but they were quickly silenced following Kingery's big hit.

Transactions:  In the first wave of September roster moves, Jay Bruce was activated from the injured list, pitcher Cole Irvin was recalled, and catcher Deivy Grullon, infielder Phil Gosselin and pitcher Nick Vincent had their contracts selected from Lehigh Valley.  To make room on the 40-man roster for the latter three, Jerad Eickhoff and Adam Morgan were moved to the 60-day IL and pitcher Drew Anderson was designated for assignment.

Kingery heads to second after his bases clearing double in the 8th

2020 Chachi Preview - Celebrating 15 Years of Custom Phillies Cards

Topps surprised the collecting community last Thursday afternoon, with a Tweet showing a first look at its 2020 flagship baseball card set design.  This is the earliest they've done this in recent memory, as the first look at next year's set usually comes in mid to late August.  That forced The Phillies Room support staff to hold an emergency meeting and settle on a design for our 2020 set.  Given this is the 15th year for Chachi sets, and also that one of my son Doug's favorite "recent" Topps designs is the 1991 Topps set, a decision was reached relatively quickly.

After spending the entire 2019 season with the 1971 Topps set, we'll be jumping 20 years forward to the 1991 Topps set, marking the most recent Topps design I've tackled.  Time will tell, but it's probably the most recent Topps design I'll ever tackle, given that my preference is for vintage designs.  To celebrate the 15 year milestone, I came up with a special "15 Years" logo, working with the original "40 Years" logo from the 1991 Topps set.


The design of the 1991 Topps set seems fairly basic, but there's actually quite a lot going on here.  The name plate with the black lines in the background wasn't easy to replicate given my limited graphic design skills.  There's also part of the player's photo (be it a bat or a helmet or a glove) that crosses over the background border to give the card a more three dimensional look.  It's going to be hard to find photos that work with this design, especially for some of the lesser known Phillies, but I shall do my best.

Already looking ahead to the 2021 Chachi set, there aren't many Topps set designs remaining from the 1970s and 1980s I haven't used yet.  If the Chachi brand is around for another 15 years, I'm eventually going to venture into designs from the Donruss and Fleer sets from the early 1980s, and I could see myself repeating some Topps designs already used.  Here's what's still out there for 2021 and beyond:

1965 - My favorite Topps design from the 1960s.
1972 - The only set design from the 1970s I've not used yet, given I'm not advanced enough to replicate the font used for team names.
1984, 1986, 1987, 1989 - The 1986 design is the front-runner for the 2021 Chachi set.
Other Future Candidates - 1981 Donruss, 1981 Fleer, 1982 Donruss, 1983 Fleer, 1985 Fleer, 1987 Donruss

Memory Lane
2014 Chachi Preview #1 (8/8/13)
2015 Chachi Preview #1 (8/15/14)
2016 Chachi Preview #1 (8/11/15)
2017 Chachi Preview #1 (8/10/16)
2018 Chachi Preview #1 (8/7/17)
2019 Chachi Preview #1 (8/20/18)
2020 Chachi Preview #1 (8/2/19)

Highlights from the 2019 Phillies Phestival (Part 2) #StrikeOutALS

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #20

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #24

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #25

Yesterday, I include a summary of our time at this year's Phillies Phestival benefitting the ALS Association.  The first half of the cards I created to commemorate our day were included in that post, and this post gathers the remaining cards.

We're already anxiously awaiting next year's event!

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #12

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #13

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #15

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #17

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #18

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #21

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #22

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #23

Phillies Phestival Memory Lane

2017 Part 1 and Part 2

2018 Part 1 and Part 2

2019 Part 1 and Part 2

Game 67 - 2019 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-273 Scott Kingery

Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 4
Game 67 - Tuesday Night, June 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 38-29, Tied for 1st place, 5 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Paced by a three-run home run from Scott Kingery, the Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks, 7-4.

What It Means:  At least until Wednesday night's loss, the Phillies still held a share of first place at this point.

What Happened:  The offense produced, with Kingery's homer followed by RBI doubles from Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.  Jay Bruce and Rhys Hoskins added RBI singles providing some insurance for the later innings.  Jake Arrieta battled through six innings and Hector Neris pitched a perfect ninth to secure his 14th save.

Featured Card:  It's rare that a player gets the featured card two games in a row, but Kingery's current hot streak earned him that honor.  I'm sure this means a lot to him.

Game 66 - 2019 Topps Big League #117 Scott Kingery

Diamondbacks 13, Phillies 8
Game 66 - Monday Night, June 10th in Philadelphia
Record - 37-29, Tied for 1st place, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The two teams combined to hit a Major League record 13 home runs as the Diamondbacks outslugged the Phillies, 13-8.

What It Means:  This loss and a Braves win dropped the Phillies into a tie for first place, the first time they've not held sole possession of the top spot since April 25th.

What Happened:  Jerad Eickhoff bore the brunt of the barrage, allowing back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the game, and five home runs overall in his three innings of work.  Contributing to the record breaking game were Jarrod Dyson, Ketel Marte, David Peralta, Eduardo Escobar (2), Alex Avila and Ildemaro Vargas (2) from the Diamondbacks and Jean Segura, Scott Kingery (2), Rhys Hoskins and Jay Bruce for the Phillies.

Featured Card:  The red hot Kingery gets the featured card, as he went 3 for 5 with a triple and two home runs.

Field Report:  We were there as I received four complimentary tickets in the Hall of Fame Club for group leader appreciation night.  The comforts of the HOF Club came in handy during the steady rain that fell throughout the first part of the game.  In our travels to find his water ice flavor of choice (cotton candy), Ben and I found Bryce Harper's Phanatic inspired cleats from opening day.

2018 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #12

Transaction:  Triple-A pitcher Tom Eshelman was traded to the Orioles for international signing bonus money.  Eshelman and Vince Velasquez were the final two players remaining from the original group of five acquired from the Astros for Ken Giles in December 2015.

Eshelman won the Paul Owens award in 2017 as the best pitcher in the Phillies farm system and in three-plus seasons in the Phillies system, he appeared in 84 games, compiling a 25-27 record.