Game 117 - Utley Inducted Onto Wall of Fame; Phils Lose to Jays

Toronto Blue Jays	5
Philadelphia Phillies	4

2025 Topps Chrome Platinum #479

Friday Night, August 7th

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
62-55, 2nd Place, 8 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  A lack of clutch hitting and a shaky performance from Zack Wheeler led to this 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

What It Means:  The Chase Utley Wall of Fame induction ceremony was fantastic, while the game kind of stunk.

What Happened:  Wheeler went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and walking five.  The Phillies offense had five hits, and went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  This is the latest addition to the 448 different Utley cards in my Phillies collection.

Field Report:  Before beginning our multi-state, three ballpark odyssey on Saturday morning, Jenna and I attended the Chase Utley Wall of Fame induction ceremony at the ballpark.  This has become a tradition for us, and it's one of the best things the Phillies do all year.  We waited out the two hour rain delay at the outset to listen to Pat Burrell's and Utley's speeches before the game began.  They passed on the traditional "victory lap" around the field in a Toyota truck, likely due to more rain on the way and the fact the ballgame had already been significantly delayed.  Still, it was a fantastic ceremony and I'm glad we were there.  With a big trip kicking off the following morning, we admittedly departed the game early along with several thousand of our fellow fans.

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Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies: Alumni Weekend

2006 Topps #401

2006 Topps #359

Friday, August 7th - 6:40
Saturday, August 8th - 6:05
Sunday, August 9th - 1:35

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
This continues to be one of the best weekends of the year at the ballpark.  Chase Utley will be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame tonight, tomorrow night is Alumni Saturday and Sunday is the annual Alumni Day, with more than 60 former Phillies expected to be in attendance.  Additionally, "phantom" Phillies Tim Granville, Tim Lahey, Jeff Singer and Will Toffey will take the field and throw out ceremonial first pitches before Sunday's game.

Toronto Blue Jays 54-62
5th Place in the A.L. East, 15 games behind the Rays

Blue Jays Probables
Jose Soriano (9-6, 3.29)
Max Scherzer (1-4, 7.92)
Shane Bieber (3-2, 5.11)

Blue Jays Leaders
Average:  Ernie Clement - .287
Runs:  Kazuma Okamoto - 60
Home Runs:  Kazuma Okamoto - 24
RBIs:  Kazuma Okamoto - 70
Stolen Bases:  Andres Gimenez - 15

Wins:  Dylan Cease - 7
ERA:  Dylan Cease - 2.28

Strikeouts:  Dylan Cease - 184
Saves:  Louis Varland - 24

Philadelphia Phillies 62-54
2nd Place in the N.L. East, 8 1/2 games behind the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (10-2, 2.49)
Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.55)
Jesus Luzardo (10-5, 3.36)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Brandon Marsh - .280
Runs:  Trea Turner - 78
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 33
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 68
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 20

Wins:  Cristopher Sanchez - 15
ERA:  Cristopher Sanchez - 2.65

Strikeouts:  Cristopher Sanchez - 174
Saves:  Jhoan Duran - 25

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Game 43 - Rafaela's Pinch-Hit Blast Sinks Phils

Philadelphia Phillies	1
Boston Red Sox	3

2011 Topps Lineage #30

Wednesday Night, May 13th

Fenway Park - Boston, MA
20-23, Tied for 3rd Place, 10 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Ceddane Rafaela's pinch-hit, two-run home run in the sixth off Orion Kerkering sunk the Phillies in this 3-1 loss.

What It Means:  The Phillies would look to take the series on Thursday night with Jesus Luzardo on the mound, facing old friend Ranger Suarez.

What Happened:  Andrew Painter had a promising start, allowing a solo home run and four hits overall in his five-inning outing.  Painter struck out four.  The only offense from the Phillies came from Justin Crawford, who just bounced a home run off the top of the center field wall to tie the game at 1-1 in the third.  Rafaela hit his blast in the sixth, and the Phillies couldn't string together any offense to overcome the deficit.  Other the Crawford's home run, the offense had two singles the entire night.

Featured Card:  We've only visited Fenway Park once, back in 2014, and watching the entirety of this three-game series on TV made me realize it's likely time for a return trip soon.  Here's Chase Utley in front of the Green Monster on one of his many 2011 Topps cards featuring him in Fenway.

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Spring Training Game 19 - Phils Rain on Jays' Day

Toronto Blue Jays	5
Philadelphia Phillies	8

8 Innings

2024 Topps Archives #262

Spring Training Game 19

Thursday Afternoon, March 12th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 6-12-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense jumped on Blue Jays pitching early, scoring eight runs in the first three innings in this rain-shortened win.

What It Means:  The World Baseball Classic is reaching its crescendo, and these spring training games are barely an afterthought.  I'm ready for the regular season to start.

What Happened:  With the score tied 1-1, the Phillies took the lead for good in the second on a Rafael Marchan sacrifice fly followed by a two-run double from Trea Turner.  Alec Bohm hit a solo home run to lead off the third, the first of four runs scored that inning.  The newly extended Jesus Luzardo allowed three runs on five hits in his 3 2/3 innings of work.

Featured Card:  The Phillies announced Chase Utley would be the Wall of Fame inductee this year, in a ceremony taking place before their August 7th game.  I'm happy to report I've already secured four tickets to this game and I can't wait for the ceremony.  Here's one of the more recent Utley cards in my collection, from the 2024 Topps Archives set.  (Is it odd to feel nostalgic about the 1994 Topps set design?)

Camp Head Count:  64 - 6 = 58

With the World Baseball Classic ending and the season suddenly two weeks (!) away, the roster moves should come fast and furious at this point.  Six players were reassigned to minor league camp prior to the game:  Andrew Bechtold (rhp), Michael Mercado (rhp), Kehden Hettiger (c), Mark Kolozsvary (c), Caleb Ricketts (c) and Aidan Miller (inf).

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers - Hoping for a Game 5

2025 Chachi Series Preview #9

2025 Chachi Series Preview #10

Wednesday, October 8th - 9:08
Thursday, October 9th - 6:08

Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
The Phillies hope to win the next two games to send the NLDS back home for Game 5.

Philadelphia Phillies 96-66
National League East Champions

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (5-10, 6.01)
Ranger Suarez (12-8, 3.20)

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  J.T. Realmuto - .375
Runs:  Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto - 2
Home Runs:  N/A
RBIs:  Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto - 2
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 1

Wins:  N/A
ERA:  Jesus Luzardo - 3.00

Strikeouts:  Cristopher Sanchez - 8
Saves:  N/A

Los Angeles Dodgers 93-69
National League West Champions

Dodgers Probables
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49)
Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.19)

Dodgers Postseason Leaders
Average:  Teoscar Hernandez - .412
Runs:  Enrique Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez - 4
Home Runs:  Teoscar Hernandez - 3
RBIs:  Teoscar Hernandez - 9
Stolen Bases:  N/A

Wins:  Blake Snell - 2
ERA:  Yoshinobu Yamamoto - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Blake Snell - 18
Saves:  Roki Sasaki - 2

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Game 133 - McLean Impresses, Mets Complete Sweep

Philadelphia Phillies	0
New York Mets	6

2025 Topps Living #815

Wednesday Night, August 27th

Citi Field - Flushing, NY
76-57, 1st Place, 4 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Rookie Nolan McLean impressively dominated the Phillies offense, as the Mets completed the three-game sweep with a 6-0 win.

What It Means:  Heading into this series with a seven game lead, taking one of the three games seemed like a decent outcome.  A complete lack of timely offense and suspect pitching led to the three-game sweep, cutting the Phillies' lead in the division to four games.

What Happened:  McLean could be a problem for years to come.  He limited the Phillies to four singles over eight shutout innings, striking out six.  Taijuan Walker took the loss, allowing four runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.  Tanner Banks had a rare bad outing, allowing two more runs in the seventh.  The Phillies' offense managed five singles the entire game, going 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position.

Featured Card:  Chase Utley and I both have similar feelings about the Mets.

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New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies - First Place Showdown

2005 Topps Update #UH27

2005 Topps #481

Friday, June 20th - 7:15
Saturday, June 21st - 7:15
Sunday, June 22nd - 7:10

Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Tonight is the annual Pride Night at the ballpark.  There are surprisingly no giveaways on Saturday or Sunday.  All three of these games will be on national broadcasts.

New York Mets 45-30
Tied for 1st Place in the N.L. East, 10 games ahead of the Braves

Mets Probables
Blade Tidwell (0-1, 14.73)
Griffin Canning (6-3, 3.80)
David Peterson (5-2, 2.60)

Mets Leaders
Average:  Pete Alonso - .291
Runs:  Juan Soto - 52
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso - 17
RBIs:  Pete Alonso - 63
Stolen Bases:  Francisco Lindor - 13

Wins:  Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga - 7
ERA:  David Peterson - 2.60

Strikeouts:  Tylor Megill - 89
Saves:  Edwin Diaz - 15

Philadelphia Phillies 45-30
Tied for 1st Place in the N.L. East, 10 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Zack Wheeler (7-2, 2.76)
Mick Abel (2-0, 2.21)
Jesus Luzardo (6-3, 4.41)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Trea Turner - .300
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 52
Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 23
RBIs:  Kyle Schwarber - 54
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 19

Wins:  Zack Wheeler - 7
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 2.76
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 110
Saves:  Jordan Romano - 8

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Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Phillies Cards

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #15

2004 Topps Pristine #7

As is usually the case each January, I let this blog go mostly dormant with the exception of posting a daily 2024 Chachi card.  Before spring training starts in earnest, I wanted to revisit something I used to do annually whenever a new class of Hall of Famers was announced.  For each new class of Hall of Fame inductees, I go through my Phillies Collection and see how many cards of each I have.  This would mean the new Hall of Famer is typically featured on a multi-player card with a Phillies player, or in the case of Dick Allen and Billy Wagner, the new Hall of Famer actually spent time with the Phillies.

This exercise is a little easier this year as I'm proud to report my entire Phillies Collection is now tracked in a massive Excel schedule, AND also available for me to browse and search on the Trading Card Database.  I started updating my collection at TCDB a few years ago, and with the Phillies and Complete Sets collections now updated, I'll turn my attention to the "Everything Else" catch-all category.

Here's a look at Cooperstown's 2025 class, and the baseball cards I have of them in my Phillies Collection.

Dick Allen - I have 55 cards of Allen in my Phillies Collection, and 65 cards of the slugger overall.  Back in December, I posted a gallery of his Topps flagship cards here, and I've also liked this 2009 Upper Deck card of his.

Dave Parker - Parker shows up twice in my Phillies Collection.  He's on a strange 1982 Fleer Stamps issue, pointing at the camera and putting his arm around a hesitant Steve Carlton.  He also shares space with Pete Rose and Bill Madlock on a 1984 Topps Active Career Leaders subset card.

CC Sabathia - Sabathia shows up twice on 2011 Topps Diamond Duos insert cards with Carlton and Cliff Lee.  My all-time favorite memory involving Sabathia can be found here.

Ichiro Suzuki - Ichiro shares a card with Richie Ashburn in the 2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now insert set, and he's on an incredibly random "Classic Combo" card with Chase Utley in the 2007 Topps Update set.

Billy Wagner - And finally, I have 40 cards of closer Wagner in my Phillies Collection, given he appeared in 120 games with the club in 2004 and 2005.  59 of Wagner's 422 career saves came while wearing a Phillies uniform, which is his third most by franchise behind the Astros and Mets.  Browsing a gallery of Wagner's Phillies cards, this 2004 Topps Pristine card is my favorite, non-team issue card of his.  His 2005 Topps flagship card is a close second.

1982 Fleer Stamps #241

2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-23

2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now #TN7

2007 Topps Update #UH279

Game 64 - Phils, Harper Take London (Remastered)

Consider this the remastered version of the original June 8th game summary post, as I went back after the fact and decided Harper's British home run deserved its own highlight card in my 2024 Chachi set.

2024 Chachi #40

Phillies 7, Mets 2

Game 64 - Saturday Afternoon, June 8th in London
Record - 45-19, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies and Bryce Harper took London by storm, with The Showman living up to his name with a big day at the plate.

What It Means:  This was fun to watch, although we quickly switched over to the Phillies radio broadcast to avoid the Fox announcers.  The Phillies had a contingent of former players on hand, and I spent Saturday morning following along with the events in London on social media.  This two-game series has the feel of an All-Star Weekend, except with the Phillies as the main characters and the Mets in town since the Phillies needed an opponent.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez gave up a first inning run, but then settled down to pitch 5 2/3 innings while striking out six.  The win improved his record to 10-1.  The Phillies' offense seemed to struggle at first given the early evening sun glare, but once that went away, they jumped on Mets' starter Sean Manaea for six runs in the fourth inning.

Bryce Harper hit a solo home run to right to tie the game at 1-1, sliding into a football/soccer goal celebration as he returned to the Phillies dugout.  An RBI single followed from Edmundo Sosa to score Alec Bohm, and then Whit Merrifield hit a three-run home run to give the Phillies a 5-1 lead.  Cristian Pache doubled and Kyle Schwarber singled him home, chasing Manaea from the game.  Nick Castellanos capped the Phillies scoring with a solo home run to left in the eighth inning.

Featured Card:  Harper doubled in the first, becoming the first Phillies player with a hit in Europe.  His thrilling home run in the fourth will be replayed for years, and I'm waiting for the e-mail from Topps with the celebration image on an inevitable Topps Now card.  Here's a card with several symbols from the first time Philadelphia and England mixed things up.

Transaction:  The Phillies and Mets were both given an extra roster spot for this series, with the Phillies recalling Rafael Marchan (c).  Nick Nelson (rhp) and Darick Hall (1b) are also in London as a two-player taxi squad, just in case they're needed.

L to R: Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels

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2024 Chachi #39 Rafael Marchan / 2024 Chachi #41 Michael Mercado

Phillies at Mets - October 8th to October 9th

2024 Chachi Series Preview #12

2024 Chachi Series Preview #13

Tuesday and Wednesday 5:08
Citi Field - Flushing, NY

At the Ballpark:  With the series tied 1-1, the Phillies travel to Flushing with the hope of wrapping it up and advancing to the NLCS by Game 4.

Philadelphia Phillies 1-1
National League East Champions

Phillies Probables
Aaron Nola (0-0, 0.00)
Ranger Suarez (0-0, 0.00)

Phillies Postseason Leaders
Average:  Nick Castellanos - .444
Runs:  Three tied with - 2
Home Runs:  Three tied with - 1
RBIs:  Three tied with - 2
Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner - 2

Wins:  Jeff Hoffman - 1
ERA:  Zack Wheeler - 0.00
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 9
Saves:  N/A

New York Mets 1-1
Defeated Brewers in NLWCS, 2-1

Mets Probables
Sean Manaea (0-0, 3.60)
Jose Quintana (0-0, 0.00)

Mets Postseason Leaders
Average:  Mark Vientos - .400
Runs:  Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos - 5
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos - 2
RBIs:  Mark Vientos - 7
Stolen Bases:  Four tied with - 1

Wins:  Three tied with - 1
ERA:  Jose Quintana - 0.00

Strikeouts:  Luis Severino - 10
Saves:  David Peterson - 1

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Game 64 - Phils, Harper Take London

2022 Topps Home Field
Advantage #HA-3

Phillies 7, Mets 2
Game 64 - Saturday Afternoon, June 8th in London
Record - 45-19, 1st Place, 9 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies and Bryce Harper took London by storm, with The Showman living up to his name with a big day at the plate.

What It Means:  This was fun to watch, although we quickly switched over to the Phillies radio broadcast to avoid the Fox announcers.  The Phillies had a contingent of former players on hand, and I spent Saturday morning following along with the events in London on social media.  This two-game series has the feel of an All-Star Weekend, except with the Phillies as the main characters and the Mets in town since the Phillies needed an opponent.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez gave up a first inning run, but then settled down to pitch 5 2/3 innings while striking out six.  The win improved his record to 10-1.  The Phillies' offense seemed to struggle at first given the early evening sun glare, but once that went away, they jumped on Mets' starter Sean Manaea for six runs in the fourth inning.

Bryce Harper hit a solo home run to right to tie the game at 1-1, sliding into a football/soccer goal celebration as he returned to the Phillies dugout.  An RBI single followed from Edmundo Sosa to score Alec Bohm, and then Whit Merrifield hit a three-run home run to give the Phillies a 5-1 lead.  Cristian Pache doubled and Kyle Schwarber singled him home, chasing Manaea from the game.  Nick Castellanos capped the Phillies scoring with a solo home run to left in the eighth inning.

Featured Card:  Harper doubled in the first, becoming the first Phillies player with a hit in Europe.  His thrilling home run in the fourth will be replayed for years, and I'm waiting for the e-mail from Topps with the celebration image on an inevitable Topps Now card.  Here's a card with several symbols from the first time Philadelphia and England mixed things up.

Transaction:  The Phillies and Mets were both given an extra roster spot for this series, with the Phillies recalling Rafael Marchan (c).  Nick Nelson (rhp) and Darick Hall (1b) are also in London as a two-player taxi squad, just in case they're needed.

L to R: Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels

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Phillies vs. Mets - June 8th to June 9th

2012 Topps Archives #161

2019 Topps 1984 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary #T84-90

Saturday 1:10 and Sunday 10:10
London Stadium - London, England

At the Ballpark:  The long-awaited and highly anticipated London Series is here, and my only hope is it doesn't slow down the Phillies' momentum.  The Mets are the home team for Saturday's game with the Phillies as home team for Sunday's game.  There are all kinds of things going on before, during and after these games with a website dedicated to the weekend's happenings.

The Phillies and Mets are the second set of teams to participate in the London Series, following the Cardinals and Cubs series last year.  MLB Ambassador and former Phillies great Chase Utley is in the middle of the action, and I'd expect to see other former Phillies pop up in London throughout the weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies 44-19
1st Place in the N.L. East, 8 games ahead of the Braves

Phillies Probables
Ranger Suarez (9-1, 1.70)
Taijuan Walker (3-1, 5.73)

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Alec Bohm - .291
Runs:  Kyle Schwarber - 44
Home Runs:  Bryce Harper - 14
RBIs:  Alec Bohm - 50
Stolen Bases:  Bryson Stott - 17

Wins:  Ranger Suarez - 9
ERA:  Ranger Suarez - 1.70
Strikeouts:  Zack Wheeler - 91
Saves:  Jose Alvarado - 11

New York Mets 27-35
4th Place in the N.L. East, 16 1/2 games behind the Phillies

Mets Probables
Sean Manaea (3-2, 3.63)
Jose Quintana (1-5, 5.17)

Mets Leaders
Average:  Starling Marte - .276
Runs:  Pete Alonso - 36
Home Runs:  Pete Alonso - 14
RBIs:  Three tied with - 31
Stolen Bases:  Starling Marte - 10

Wins:  Reed Garrett - 5
ERA:  Luis Severino - 3.25

Strikeouts:  Luis Severino - 58
Saves:  Edwin Diaz - 5

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2009 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards

Number of Cards:  41
Card Size:  4" x 6"

Description:  The Phillies went with black borders for the first time ever.  The cards have a very basic design featuring the team logo and the player's number, name and position in a digital font.  Other than the 2008 World Champions card, which is my all-time favorite card from a team-issued set, there's no indication the Phillies had won the World Championship in 2008 on the cards themselves.  The horizontal card backs feature biographical information and complete career statistics.

How Distributed:  The original 37-card set was available at Citizens Bank Park throughout the first half of the season.  Following the signing of Pedro Martinez on July 15th and the acquisition of Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco on July 29th, cards of Martinez, Lee and Francisco, along with back-up catcher Paul Bako, were inserted into the set.  With the addition of these four cards to the updated set, five cards available from the original set were removed - the 2008 World Champions card, along with the cards for Chris Coste, Tim Gradoville, Geoff Jenkins and Ronny Paulino.  Jenkins and Paulino had been released prior to the start of the season and Coste was claimed off waivers by the Astros on July 10th.

Complete Set Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically with uniform number and position): 

1. 2008 World Champions 2. Mick Billmeyer (#17 - Bullpen Coach) 3. Joe Blanton (#56 - RHP) 4. Eric Bruntlett (#4 - INF/OF) 5. Clay Condrey (#55 - RHP) 6. Chris Coste (#27 - C) 7. Greg Dobbs (#19 - INF/OF) 8. Rich Dubee (#30 - Pitching Coach) 9. Chad Durbin (#37 - RHP) 10. Scott Eyre (#47 - LHP) 11. Pedro Feliz (#7 - 3B) 12. Tim Gradoville (#60 - Bullpen Catcher)         13. Cole Hamels (#35 - LHP)

14. J.A. Happ (#43 - LHP) 15. Ryan Howard (#6 - 1B) 16. Raul Ibanez (#29 - LF) 17. Geoff Jenkins (#10 - OF) 18. Brad Lidge (#54 - RHP) 19. Davey Lopes (#15 - First Base Coach) 20. Pete Mackanin (#45 - Bench Coach) 21. Ryan Madson (#46 - RHP) 22. Charlie Manuel (#41 - Manager)         23. Jamie Moyer (#50 - LHP) 24. Brett Myers (#39 - RHP) 25. Chan Ho Park (#61 - RHP)

26. Ronny Paulino (#23 - C) 27. Sam Perlozzo (#2 - Third Base Coach) 28. Jimmy Rollins (#11 - SS) 29. J.C. Romero (#16 - LHP) 30. Carlos Ruiz (#51 - C) 31. Matt Stairs (#12 - OF) 32. Milt Thompson (#25 - Hitting Coach)         33. Chase Utley (#26 - 2B) 34. Shane Victorino (#8 - CF) 35. Jayson Werth (#28 - RF) 36. Phillie Phanatic 37. Phillies Broadcasters

Complete Update Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically with uniform number and position):

1. Paul Bako (#23 - C) 2. Ben Francisco (#10 - OF)

3. Cliff Lee (#34 - LHP) 4. Pedro Martinez (#45 - RHP)

One and Only Phillies Baseball Card (1):  Bako

First Appearance in Phillies Photo Card Set (8):  Eyre, Francisco, Ibanez, Lee, Martinez, Park, Paulino, Stairs
Returning Players in Phillies Photo Card Set (21):  Blanton, Bruntlett, Condrey, Coste, Dobbs, Durbin, Feliz, Hamels, Happ, Howard, Jenkins, Lidge, Madson, Moyer, Myers, Rollins, Romero, Ruiz, Utley, Victorino, Werth

Paul Bako wrapped up his 12-year career playing 44 games with the Phillies in 2009.  His card in this set is his sole Phillies baseball card.  Paulino was traded on March 27th to the Giants for Jack Taschner, and never appeared in a game for the Phillies.  He has a second Phillies card in the 2009 Topps Heritage set.

Manager (1):  Manuel
Coaches (7):  Billmeyer, Dubee, Gradoville, Lopes, Mackanin, Perlozzo, Thompson

Phillie Phanatic (1):  The Phanatic is shown atop the dugout is his alternate day-game uniform.

Broadcasters (1):  Harry Kalas, who passed away on April 13, 2009, is joined on this card by Tom McCarthey, Gary Matthews, Chris Wheeler, Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke.
Commemorative Cards (1):  2008 World Champions

The 2008 World Champions card (see below) features manager Charlie Manuel along with the team's main stars (minus Pat Burrell who had departed during the offseason) decked out in tuxedos with red bow ties flanking the World Series trophy.

Set Composition:  The Phillies created the first 37-card checklist a few days before the start of the regular season, accounting for the cards in the set for Paulino and Jenkins.  Miguel Cairo and Taschner, both on the opening day roster, got left out of the original set and the update set.  J.C. Romero started the season on the Restricted List, but he's in the set as well.

Omissions:  The Phillies could have included a few more update cards, in addition to the four players who were added late in the season to the set.  Cairo and Taschner would have been in the set had the Phillies waited until early April to create the checklist.  Kyle Kendrick, John Mayberry, Jr., Sergio Escalona and Tyler Walker all spent sufficient enough time on the roster to merit cards as well.  Escalona spent quite a bit of time going back and forth between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, as the lefty pitcher was with the team in six different stints.

Variations/Rarities:  I'm going to separate the known rarities into two different groups - non-set cards and cards with a 2009 National League Champions logo on the back.  14,000 Phillies featured a post many years ago containing a Jayson Werth card I had never seen before, and I've never seen since.  The card was distributed to kids participating in the team's annual Home Run Derby competition and contains a purple facsimile autograph and the Home Run Derby logo. The card uses a different photo than Werth's regular team issued card.

As pointed out in a comment from Steve F. in an earlier post, a card was issued for Placido Polanco in the style of the 2009 team-issued set.  Polanco was signed as a free agent on December 3rd.  Finally, fellow collector and invaluable resource Rick added a comment to this set's original post with a number of other rarities available - clipped and shown below.  Roy Halladay received his first Phillies baseball card in the style of this set, as the future Hall of Famer had signed with the Phillies on December 16, 2009.

Other than the Halladay card, which is an original, the cards featuring the 2009 National League Champions logo on the back use the same photos as the cards found in the set sold at the ballpark.

Non-Set Cards 1. Kyle Drabek (#4 - Reading Phillies) 2. Lou Marson (#3 - C) 3. Placido Polanco (#27 - blank back) 4. Brian Schneider (#23 - blank back) 5. Michael Taylor (#40 - Reading Phillies)         6. Jayson Werth (#28 - Home Run Derby)

National League Champions 1. Chad Durbin (#37 - RHP) 2. Roy Halladay (#34 - RHP) 3. Cole Hamels (#35 - LHP) 4. J.A. Happ (#43 - LHP) 5. Brad Lidge (#54 - RHP) 6. Ryan Madson (#46 - RHP) 7. Jimmy Rollins (#11 - SS)

Also See:  Here's my original post from August 31, 2009, covering the discovery of the updated team issued set.

Resources:  The Trading Card Database; Phillies collector Rick (@rickphils)

This set was originally featured in a post back in December 2014, and I'm going through these older team-issued photo card set posts to update them with new information learned (if any) over the past nine years.

2008 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards / 2010 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards - 1st Edition

1980-1999 Phillies Team-Issued Photo Cards Want List / Phillies Team Issued Sets Index Page

2008 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards

Number of Cards:  39
Card Size:  4" x 6"

Description:  Full color action photos are featured over a gold tinted background.  The Citizens Bank Park logo makes an appearance on the card fronts for the second year in a row and Jimmy Rollins' card contains a golden logo marking his 2007 National League MVP win. 

The set features a blank-backed header card with a photo of Chase Utley fist bumping a young fan and the declaration that a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of the set would benefit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  (This was a nice gesture, and it's odd this is the first and last year - at least publicly - the Phillies have done this.)  The horizontal card backs feature biographical information and complete career statistics.

How Distributed:  The original 37-card set was available at Citizens Bank Park throughout the first half of season.  Given the inclusion of Rudy Seanez, acquired on March 31st, and Chris Snelling, recalled on April 12th, the set was likely not sold until late April.  Following the acquisition of Joe Blanton on August 3rd, cards of Blanton and J.A. Happ were inserted into the set.  The only way to add the two update cards was to purchase the complete set at the ballpark, which included all 37 cards found in the originally released set.

Complete Set Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically with uniform number and position from the back of cards): 

1. Header Card / Chase Utley 2. Mick Billmeyer (#17 - Catching Instructor)    3. Eric Bruntlett (#4 - INF-OF) 4. Pat Burrell (#5 - LF) 5. Clay Condrey (#55 - RHP) 6. Chris Coste (#27 - C) 7. Greg Dobbs (#19 - INF-OF) 8. Rich Dubee (#30 - Pitching Coach) 9. Chad Durbin (#37 - RHP) 10. Adam Eaton (#21 - RHP) 11. Pedro Feliz (#7 - 3B) 12. Tom Gordon (#45 - RHP) 13. Cole Hamels (#35 - LHP)

14. Ramon Henderson (#31 - Bullpen Coach)    15. Ryan Howard (#6 - 1B) 16. Geoff Jenkins (#10 - OF) 17. Kyle Kendrick (#38 - RHP) 18. Brad Lidge (#54 - RHP) 19. Davey Lopes (#15 - First Base Coach) 20. Ryan Mason (#63 - RHP) 21. Charlie Manuel (#41 - MG) 22. Jamie Moyer (#50 - LHP) 23. Brett Myers (#39 - RHP) 24. Jimmy Rollins (#11 - SS) 25. J.C. Romero (#16 - LHP) 26. Carlos Ruiz (#51 - C)

27. Rudy Seanez (#57 - RHP) 28. Steve Smith (#2 - Third Base Coach)    29. Chris Snelling (#9 - OF) 30. So Taguchi (#99 - OF) 31. Milt Thompson (#25 - Hitting Coach) 32. Chase Utley (#26 - 2B) 33. Shane Victorian (#8 - CF) 34. Jayson Werth (#28 - OF) 35. Jimy Williams (#22 - Bench Coach) 36. Phillies Broadcasters 37. Phillie Phanatic

Complete Update Checklist (Unnumbered, presented here alphabetically with uniform number and position from the front of cards):

1. Joe Blanton (#56 - RHP) 2. J.A. Happ (#43 - LHP)

One and Only Phillies Baseball Card (1):  Seanez

First Appearance in Phillies Photo Card Set (10):  Blanton, Bruntlett, Condrey, Durbin, Feliz, Jenkins, Happ, Kendrick, Lidge, Snelling, Taguchi
Returning Players in Phillies Photo Card Set (17):  Burrell, Coste, Dobbs, Eaton, Gordon, Hamels, Howard, Kendrick, Madson, Moyer, Myers, Rollins, Romero, Ruiz, Utley, Victorino, Werth

Manager (1):  Manuel
Coaches (7):  Billmeyer, Dubee, Henderson, Lopes, Smith, Thompson, Williams
Phillie Phanatic (1)
Broadcasters (1):  Tom McCarthy returned to the Phillies in 2008, and he's joined on this card by Gary Matthews, Chris Wheeler, Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen and Harry Kalas.

Phillies Prospects (1):  Features eight prospects on one card - Tom Barrett, Brad Brink, Steve DeAngelis, Ron Jones, Keith Miller, Brad Moore, Howard Nichols and Shane Turner.  DeAngelis and Nichols never played for the Phillies.
Other Cards (1):  Header Card with Utley

Set Composition:  The Phillies waited a week or so before creating the checklist for this set.  Both Wes Helms and Tim Lahey were on the opening day roster, with Helms lasting just one game and Lahey sticking around for four games.  Snelling was recalled on April 12th when Shane Victorino landed on the Disabled List, and he was active for all of seven games between then and April 19th.

J.A. Happ had a brief stint with the club the first week of July and the last week of July, and was up for good beginning September 1st.  Joe Blanton's inclusion makes sense, and if the Phillies had waited another week, they could have snuck Scott Eyre, acquired on August 7th, into the set as well.

Omissions:  Eyre is the clear omission, especially given his postseason role for the Phillies.  Mike Cervenak could have been included in an update set, as he was on the active roster for 48 games.  Matt Stairs was acquired too late in the season to be an option for the update set, but he would get a 2008-style photo card - see below.

Variations/Rarities:  Fellow collectors Steve and Rick clued me in to the existence of three more cards via comments to this set's original post, back in December 2014.  The Phillies created a card in this style for Stairs to sign at a February 2009 meet and greet.  There was also a late season Meet and Greet in the Hall of Fame Club with Minor League Pitcher of the Year Happ and Minor League Player of the Year, Lou Marson.  Happ is wearing a Lehigh Valley IronPigs jersey in this version.  All three of these rare photo cards have blank backs.

Non-Set Cards 1. J.A. Happ (Lehigh Valley IronPigs) 2. Lou Marson (Reading Phillies) 3. Matt Stairs

Resources:  The Trading Card Database; Phillies collectors Steve and Rick (@rickphils)

This set was originally featured in a post back in December 2014, and I'm going through these older team-issued photo card set posts to update them with new information learned (if any) over the past nine years.

2007 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards / 2009 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Cards

2000-2022 Phillies Team-Issued Photo Cards Want List / Phillies Team Issued Sets Index Page