16 Who Were Almost Phillies

2016 Chachi Almost #10

2016 Chachi Almost #11

2016 Chachi Almost #12

2016 Chachi Almost #13

Beginning in Spring Training, whenever I come across a cool photo of a newer player or coach in a Phillies uniform, I set it aside and eventually create a Chachi card.  I also make it a point to create Chachi cards for anyone added to the team's 40-man roster, or anyone who played for the Phillies in a prior season who is still with the organization.  This way, when an Alec Asher or a Roman Quinn gets the call to the big leagues, their Chachi card is ready to go.  The Phillies Room and the Chachi card creation process runs like a well-oiled machine, the envy of custom card creators throughout the land.*

These are the 16 remaining cards I created this year for players (and one coach) who didn't suit up for the Phillies in 2016.

Will Venable (of) - The final outfield spot on the opening day roster came down to Venable or Cedric Hunter, with Hunter getting the nod.  Venable requested and was granted his release in June to allow him to sign with the Dodgers.  In 12 games with the Dodgers, he went 1 for 18 (.056).

Angelys Nina (inf) - Nina was released by the IronPigs on the same day Venable was let go.

Reinier Roibal (rhp) - Roibal appeared in 19 games for the IronPigs and Fightin Phils, and was released by the Double-A team in late June.

Edward Mujica (rhp) - The former big league All-Star was an All-Star for the IronPigs before requesting and being granted his release in mid-July.  He spent the rest of the season with the Royals and Twins organizations.

2016 Chachi Almost #14

2016 Chachi Almost #15

2016 Chachi Almost #16

2016 Chachi Almost #17

Mark Appel (rhp) - The top prospect's season ended in late June when he had elbow surgery.

David Buchanan (rhp) - After starting 15 games for the club last season, Buchanan didn't make it back up to the majors in 2016.  In 26 starts for the IronPigs, he went 10-9 with a 3.98 ERA.

Jimmy Cordero (rhp) - A member of the 40-man roster, Cordero lost most of the season to a shoulder injury.

Matt Harrison (lhp) - Get used to seeing this card again in the style of the 2017 Chachi set. Harrison will most likely never pitch for the Phillies due to ongoing back issues, but he has a guaranteed contract and a spot on the team's 40-man roster.

2016 Chachi Almost #18

2016 Chachi Almost #19

2016 Chachi Almost #20

2016 Chachi Almost #21

Mario Hollands (lhp) - Hollands last pitched for the Phillies in 2014 and he's spent the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Gregory Infante (rhp) - A non-roster invitee, Infante spent the bulk of the season in Double-A.  He last pitched in the majors with the White Sox in 2010.

Gabriel Lino (c) - A back-up catcher, Lino split time in 2016 between Clearwater and Reading.

John Mizerock (coach) - The team's assistant hitting coach in 2014 and third base coach in 2015, Mizerock was a coach for the Rooke-A Williamsport Crosscutters in 2016.

2016 Chachi Almost #22

2016 Chachi Almost #23

2016 Chachi Almost #24

2016 Chachi Almost #25

Logan Moore (c) - Another back-up catcher, Moore played for both Lehigh Valley and Reading this season.

Brock Stassi (1b) - Stassi appeared in 117 games for the IronPigs in 2016, hitting .267 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs.

Darnell Sweeney (inf/of) - Like Buchanan, Sweeney seemed to be poised to be a major part of the team's plans in 2016 but like Buchanan he never got the call to the big club in 2016.  In 118 games with the IronPigs, the versatile Sweeney hit just .233.

Nick Williams (of) - Williams hopes to be a part of the team's starting outfield in 2017.  In 125 games with the IronPigs, he hit .258 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs.

*Maybe.  But probably not.

The First Moves of the 2015-2016 Offseason

2015 Phillies Team Issue 2 #30

While the rest of the baseball world was preparing for the Cubs-Pirates Wild Card game, the Phillies were busy making their first roster moves of the off-season.

Catcher Erik Kratz, infielder Chase d'Arnaud, outfielder Jordan Danks and relievers Justin De Fratus, Adam Loewen and Ken Roberts were all outrighted off the 40-man roster.  Jonathan Pettibone, who was on the 60-day disabled list all season, was activated and also outrighted.  The moves leave the Phillies with 34 players on their 40-man roster and six players still on the 60-day DL.

2015 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #8

2015 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #9

2012 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #13

2007 Topps #78

Given their years of service, d'Arnaud, De Fratus, Loewen and Kratz can all immediately elect to become free agents or they can wait until after the World Series when they'll automatically become minor league free agents.  Danks and Pettibone can become free agents following the World Series and Roberts will be reassigned to a Phillies minor league team.

Of the seven players outrighted, De Fratus had been in the Phillies system the longest, having made his debut with the club in 2011.  He leaves behind a Phillies baseball card legacy that began with the 2011 Bowman set and ended with the 2015 team issued photo card sets.

d'Arnaud, Danks and Loewen could join the ranks of those unfortunate (or fortunate depending on your point of view) Phillies players who never appeared on a Phillies baseball card.  Roberts appears to still have a chance if he's in the mix next season.

* * *

2015 Phillies Team Issue 2 #12

2015 Phillies Team Issue 2 #54

2014 Phillies Team Issue #44

Also of note is the dismissal of two Phillies coaches following the final game of the season.  Third base coach John Mizerock and bullpen coach Rod Nichols were let go and the other four coaches - bench coach Larry Bowa, first base coach Juan Samuel, hitting coach Steve Henderson and pitching coach Bob McClure were all invited back for 2016.  There's been no official word yet if those four will actually decide to return for 2016 and Bowa recently interviewed for the manager's job in Miami.

2015 Chachi #33 John Mizerock CO

#12

John Joseph Mizerock

Catching/Assistant Hitting Coach

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  190

Born:  December 8, 1960, Punxsutawney, PA

Home:  Punxsutawney, PA

Teams - As Player:  Houston Astros 1983, 1985-1986, Atlanta Braves 1989

Teams - As Coach:  Kansas City Royals 2002-2004, 2008-2009, Phillies 2014-

Teams - As Manager:  Kansas City Royals 2002

1987 Topps #408

2011 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #19

2014 Chachi #33

2014 Phillies Team Issue #12

6 Mizerock Baseball Cards in My Collection per Zistle
First Card:  2011 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #19
First Phillies Card:  2014 Phillies Team Issue #12
First Phillies Topps Base Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  2014 Phillies Team Issue #12
Latest Card:  2015 Phillies Team Issue #12

First Topps Base Card:  1987 Topps #408
First Chachi Base Card:  2014 Chachi #33

Mizerock Games I've Attended per Hardball Passport

N/A

Cards and game statistics through 5/18/15.

2014 Chachi #33 John Mizerock CO

#12

John Joseph Mizerock

Catching/Assistant Hitting Coach

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  190

Born:  December 8, 1960, Punxsutawney, PA

Home:  Punxsutawney, PA

Teams - As Player:  Houston Astros 1983, 1985-1986, Atlanta Braves 1989

Teams - As Coach:  Kansas City Royals 2002-2004, 2008-2009, Phillies 2014

Teams - As Manager:  Kansas City Royals 2002

Phillies Cards in My Collection:

#1 - 2014 Phillies Team Issue #12

I have three minor league Phillies cards of Mizerock in my collection from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Clearwater Threshers team sets.

First Chachi Card:  2014 Chachi #33

Mizerock Joins Coaching Staff

1984 Donruss #380

In a move that flew under the radar a little, the Phillies announced that John Mizerock will serve as Steve Henderson's assistant hitting coach in 2014.  Mizerock joined the coaching staff of the High-A Clearwater Threshers in 2011, and he'll take over for Wally Joyner who left the club to assume the hitting coach duties for the Detroit Tigers.

Between 1983 and 1989, Mizerock appeared in 103 games with the Astros and Braves, compiling a .186 career batting average.  He also served as the interim manager for the Royals back in 2002, going 5-8 in his short stint between Tony Muser's departure and Tony Pena's hiring.

2013 Grandstand Clearwater
Threshers #27

Mizerock has appeared on numerous minor league baseball cards throughout his playing and coaching career, and he's appeared on the following four mainstream baseball cards, all as a member of the Astros:

1984 Donruss #380, 1986 Donruss #502, 1987 Donruss #653, 1987 Topps #408

In 2014, Mizerock will be the lucky recipient of a Chachi card.  And speaking of the 2014 Chachi set . . . I'm still trying to figure out how to portray the Phillies coaches using the 1988 Topps design.  There were no multi-player cards within the 1988 Topps set, so I'm going to have to get creative similar to what I had to do a few years ago.  Suggestions and tips are welcome!