2002 Topps #359 United We Stand: Braves-Phillies

2007 Chachi #18 Zack Segovia UER

Nationals 8, Phillies 7

Nose to the grindstone, I didn't see any of the first eight innings of tonight's game. I checked the score occasionally and my happiness at the quick 2-0 start by the Phils soon dissipated as the Nationals tacked on more and more runs. I checked throughout the evening, but the score just got more and more lopsided in favor of Washington.

Driving home, and listening now on the radio, I gathered from Larry Andersen that sloppy play, a lack of offense (again), and two errors by Jimmy Rollins had contributed to the 8-2 Nationals score.

Finally home, I settled in to watch the final inning. Nationals' reliever (and former Phillie) Zack Segovia started the bottom of the ninth, loaded the bases and allowed a grand slam to pinch-hitter Matt Stairs. Had the Phils pulled off the comeback, you'd be looking at a Matt Stairs baseball card right now instead of Zack's (or Zach's) Chachi card from a few years back. One of the "rules" of this blog is if the Phils lose, a current Phillie's baseball card isn't featured in the post. Unfortunately for Matt, and the Phillies, Ryan Howard weakly grounded into a game-ending double play to squelch the rally and drop the Phils' lead in the NL East to 5 games.

Zack or Zach?: I guess this card could be considered an uncorrected error card, hence the "UER" designation in the title. Back in 2007, depending on which source I checked, Mr. Segovia spelled his first name either with a k or an h. On the Phils' TV broadcast the day of his debut, the graphics throughout the game spelled his name with an h, so that's what I went with for his card. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

1980 TCMA Whiz Kids

1980 TCMA Whiz Kids #17 Del Ennis

1980 TCMA Whiz Kids #6 Dick Sisler

I recently acquired the 31-card 1980 TCMA Whiz Kids set - a set I've been searching for ever since I saw it for the first time in a Cooperstown gift shop back in the late '80s. Souvenir funds were tight, and I opted for a few more Hall of Fame plaque postcards rather than shell out the $10 for the set back then. It's been on my wantlist ever since, and the set recently appeared on eBay for a reasonable price. Quest completed.

All the greats from the 1950 NL Champs are in the set, including Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Del Ennis, Dick Sisler, Curt Simmons and Jim Konstanty. The set features every player to don a Phillies uniform in 1950, with the exception of Steve Ridzik, Jack Brittin, Paul Stuffel, Johnny Blatnik and Milo Candini. Ridzik, Brittin, Stuffel and Blatnik each appeared in four games or less for the team, but I'm surprised at the omission of Candini, who appeared in 18 games as a relief pitcher.

The set also features the team's manager, Eddie Sawyer, and his coaches - Benny Bengough, Dusty Cooke and Cy Perkins.

2009 Topps Phillies #PHI13 Ryan Madson

Phillies 6, Nationals 5

And that's how you close a ballgame. Ryan Madson earned his 6th save of the season tonight, as the Phils hung on to beat the Nationals, 6-5. The game ended on a picture-perfect line drive double play, giving the new closer (?) his second save in as many nights.

While not as dominant as he was in his first starts as a Phillie, Cliff Lee pitched a good game, lasting into the 8th inning and allowing four earned runs. He's now 6-2 with the Phillies.

The offense continues to come around. Jayson Werth and Raul Ibañez went a combined 4 for 9 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. A Pedro Feliz solo home run in the 8th inning provided a key insurance run. On 9/9/09, the magic number drops to 19.

Crowded Bench: The Phils recalled Sergio Escalona and purchased the contract of Andy Tracy prior to the game, bringing the active roster to 32 players. To make room on the 40-man roster, pitcher Rodrigo Lopez was released. Rodrigo was the odd man out when Pedro Martinez joined the starting rotation. In 7 games with the Phils, he went 3-1 with a 5.70 ERA. Andy Tracy will be card #57 in the 2009 Chachi set.

2006 Chachi #10 Sal Fasano

If I were to list my top five passions, it would go like this: family, baseball, Phillies, Beatles, Disney. Easy isn't it?

Today is a huge day for me and Beatles fans everywhere. The Beatles' entire back catalogue is being re-released in deluxe remastered format, available in cool looking mono and stereo box sets. The reviews of the new CDs make me extremely anxious to hear the songs in all their remastered glory. Today is also the release date for the new The Beatles: Rock Band video game, which is forcing me to ask Santa for a Wii for Christmas. (Santa - If you're reading this blog, I'd like a Wii and some late-'50s Phillies cards. Thanks.)

Why Sal Fasano?: I recently put on an old Sal’s Pals t-shirt (see picture), which led Doug to ask, “Is that your Beatles shirt?” My 2-year-old is familiar with the Beatles as a result of the recent introduction of Yellow Submarine into his DVD library. He made the honest mistake of thinking the image on the t-shirt was one of the Beatles. If you've seen Yellow Submarine before, you can appreciate it’s something a toddler would enjoy. His favorite songs are currently the title track and "All Together Now." My son seems to be musically inclined (the proud father says), and it brings me great joy to see the Beatles have entered into his world. In any event, Sal Fasano and the Beatles are now permanently linked in my mind.

Bonus Quiz: What's the Beatles connection to the time this post was published?

2009 O-Pee-Chee #79 Raul Ibañez

Phillies 5, Nationals 3

See? I knew it would all work today.

I had a tough time deciding tonight between a Raul Ibañez card or a Ryan Madson card. In the end, I decided to go with the Raul card, to celebrate his first three-hit game since early June. All five runs scored tonight by the Phils came courtesy of solo home runs - 2 from Raul (29 and 30), and one each from Jayson Werth (32), Carlos Ruiz (9) and Chase Utley (30). The Phillies now have four different players with 30 home runs for the first time in the franchise's history and just the 12th time in Major League history. (Worthy of a Chachi highlight card? Still deciding . . . )

Pedro Martinez provided a quality start, pitching into the 7th inning and allowing just the 3 Nationals runs. Brett Myers finished the 7th, pitched a quick 8th and gave way to Brad Lidge in the 9th. Charlie Manuel had issued a shaky vote of confidence for Lidge prior to the game, stating, "I think that he's our closer."

So the man the manager thinks is the closer pressed the issue by allowing a single, inducing a ground out, hitting a guy, throwing a wild pitch, and finally walking a guy to load the bases. Exit Lidge, enter Ryan Madson. Madson worked out of the jam to record his 5th save of the year and the Phils won the ballgame. But where do they go from here? Who's the closer tomorrow night? Can the Phils score without relying on a home run? Stay tuned.

Phillies at Nationals: September 8th through September 10th

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:05

Records: Phillies 77-58, 1st Place in NL East (6 games ahead of the Marlins); Nationals 47-90, Last Place in NL East (31 games behind the Phillies)

What the Phils need now are some true words of wisdom: Take a deep breath. Forget about those pesky Astros. Blown saves? What blown saves? Now get out there and win. As Charlie Manuel recently said, "[Forget] the last couple years. What the hell? That don’t mean [shamrocks]."

Magic Number: 21

Phillies Probables: Pedro Martinez, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton

Nationals Probables: John Lannan, Garrett Mock, Livan Hernandez

1988 Donruss #535 Kent Tekulve

Astros 4, Phillies 3

Labor Day Weekend 2009 was not a fun time for the Phillies or me. I at least had a little bit of fun on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, sandwiched in between two very long, headache-inducing, gray days at work. Yes, I labored on Labor Day. We had a small family BBQ late Saturday afternoon and Doug and I mowed the lawn, played (Lego) garage and chased each other on Sunday. The Phillies weren't so lucky, and no amount of Legos, however cool, could solve their offensive woes at this point.

This is my second busiest time of the year at work. I didn't get a chance to listen to the Phillies today, and that's probably a good thing. I find myself completely consumed with my job at times and hours can pass by without me knowing it. I get too wrapped up in details, I dwell on things and I occasionally (internally) freak out. I start to wonder if life would be easier had I been a pumpkin farmer. I lose sight of what's important and I find I need to take a deep breath and regroup.

So that's what I'm going to do. I hope the Phils do the same.

It's September 7th and the Phillies are in first place with a six-game lead. They open a 3-game series with the last place Nationals tomorrow. As for the deadlines at work - they'll be met. They always are. Things look bleak right now, but there's always a good Kent Tekulve baseball card waiting to bring cheer. And then there's family.

Each night, right before he goes to bed, Jenna asks Doug what his favorite part of the day was. Tonight he answered, "When Daddy came home." That was my favorite part of the day too. Amen and Happy Labor Day.

2004 Topps #181 Jason Michaels

Happy Labor Day!

Jason Michaels, or J-Mike to the cool kids, played in parts of five seasons with the Phillies from 2001 until 2005. He hit .291 during his time in Philly, hitting 21 home runs and knocking in an even 100 runs. He was Pat Burrell’s sidekick, as both Jason and Pat attended the University of Miami together and rose through the ranks of the Phillies’ system at roughly the same pace. J-Mike and Burrell (along with Todd Pratt and Tyler Houston) dyed their hair a shocking bleach blonde in 2003, which some thought was a combination protest/sign of solidarity against then manager Larry Bowa.

In January 2006, the Phils traded Jason to the Cleveland Indians for relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. At the time, I believe the move was made partly to acquire Rhodes, but partly to separate Jason from Burrell, in the hopes that Burrell would focus more on his on-field performance rather than his off-field performance. (If you know what I mean.) Jason was the Indians’ starting left fielder in 2006, and he’s since spent time with the Pirates and now the Astros.

1985 Donruss #44 Steve Jeltz

Astros 4, Phillies 3

The recent offensive woes of the Phillies have now reached Jeltzian proportions. The good news is the team still holds a 6½ game lead in the NL East with 28 games to play. With the Marlins losing today, the magic number to clinch the division decreased to 21.

There's not much to report on today's game. The offense was provided by solo home runs from Jimmy Rollins, Ben Francisco and Jayson Werth. Cole Hamels looked hittable again, and his body language on the mound after getting hit around wasn't good. The team tries to avoid the series sweep tomorrow in a Labor Day matinee.

More Call-Ups: Shane Victorino and Ryan Madson are nursing injuries so the team recalled John Mayberry, Jr. and Kyle Kendrick from AAA Lehigh Valley prior to the game.

2007 SP Rookie Edition #239 Michael Bourn

Following the 2007 season, the Phillies decided a few things. First, Shane Victorino was going to be the team’s regular center fielder in 2008. Second, they needed a closer. Brett Myers had done a respectable job in the second half of the season, as he stepped in to close once Tom Gordon’s injuries ended Flash’s season and his Phillies tenure.

Michael Bourn had been labeled as a speedy spray hitter with decent range in the outfield. He was a September call-up in 2006, entering games late as a pinch-runner and ultimately as a defensive replacement in right field for Bobby Abreu. In 2007, he saw action in 107 games with the Phils, hitting .277 with a .348 OBP, 3 triples and 18 stolen bases. Again, he was used as a pinch-runner and late inning defensive replacement (this time for Pat Burrell in left field) and he only actually started 15 games.

When former GM Pat Gillick pulled the trigger on the deal sending Bourn, Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo to the Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett in November 2007, I was in Dallas for training. I read the news in the paper (Dallas Morning Star?) and I was a little shocked the team wasn't bringing back Brett Myers to close, and even a little more shocked the Phils gave up so little to obtain Lidge. Lidge was a former All-Star who had struggled at times with the Astros, with those struggles coming in spurts and at the most inopportune times. Gillick knew what he was doing however, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Bourn has finally gotten the chance to start in Houston, and he could actually be the team’s MVP this year.

2007 Chachi #56 Pete LaForest

This is Part 2 of The Phillies Room celebration of the under appreciated (and occasionally forgotten) third catcher of September:

2005 - A.J. Hinch was added to the roster for the second straight year. A.J. would not appear in a game with the 2005 Phillies.

2006 - Carlos Ruiz was recalled on August 30th, and Tim Gradoville was purchased on September 6th. Chooch had made his big league debut that May, and he appeared in 10 games down the stretch, hitting .360 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. As previously lamented, Gradoville never appeared in a game.

2007 - Rod Barajas was activated from the DL and Pete LaForest was claimed off waivers from the Padres. Barajas served out the remaining sentence of his forgettable year with just 5 at-bats in September, collecting 3 hits as a pinch-hitter. LaForest went 1 for 11 as a pinch-hitter.

2008 - Lou Marson started the final game of the 2008 season, going 2 for 4 with his first career home run.

2009 - Paul Hoover . . . to be determined.

2005 Chachi #14 Jason Michaels

Astros 5, Phillies 4

Too difficult to write complete, coherent paragraphs . . . Going with a list of observations instead.

- Phils couldn't string anything together tonight until Astros' starter Roy Oswalt was forced to the leave the game in the 7th inning with an injury.

- The team mounted an impressive comeback, scoring 4 unanswered runs. In the top of the 8th, Ryan Howard's RBI-triple and Pedro Feliz' game-tying single were the key hits. (A Ryan Howard card should be adorning this post.)

- Brett Myers returned to active duty, pitching a solid (and surprising) 8th inning. He calmed down after allowing a four-pitch walk to the first batter he faced.

- And then . . . and then . . . Brad Lidge. He entered with a 4-3 lead and he blew it. He blew it big time. He blew it for the 10th time. 10 blown saves. An 0-7 record. An Eatonish ERA of 7.15. It's enough to make you want to cuss on a blog. Former Phil Jason Michaels scored the winning run.

Now Charlie Manuel is a much smarter baseball man than I will ever be. But for the love of Johnny Wockenfuss, we need to stop letting Brad Lidge try to close out games! We've got several viable options in the bullpen now - Myers, Chan Ho Park, Ryan Madson (maybe), even Tyler Walker's been doing a decent job. Enough is enough. And now that I completely sound like someone who would call into a sports talk radio show, I shall be on my way.

2002 Fleer Platinum #194 Johnny Estrada

One of the rites of passage when rosters expand to 40 players is the inevitable addition of a third catcher. Teams typically carry just two catchers throughout the year, but September rolls around and teams figure, "They're giving us the ability to carry 40 live bodies, so why not carry a third catcher - just in case." The Phillies have followed suit with this practice and each September sees the addition of a third catcher who will be used sparingly, if at all. I thought I'd look back over the past decade to see which catchers served in this highly under appreciated role. Here's Part 1:

2000 - Gary Bennett was added and later Clemente Alvarez joined him when Mike Lieberthal's season ended early due to injury. Bennett had previously appeared with the Phils in parts of four seasons from 1995-1999. Upon his call-up in September 2000, he became the team's primary catcher due to Lieby's injury. Alvarez appeared in just two games with the Phils, starting the final game of the 2000 campaign.

2001 - Matt Walbeck had one at-bat as a pinch-hitter on September 30th, singling against the Marlins' Antonio Alfonseca.

2002 - Johnny Estrada, who had seen regular playing time in 2001, played in just 10 games for the 2002 Phillies, managing a .118 average. He was traded to the Braves a few months later for Kevin Millwood.

2003 - Kelly Stinnett was acquired on August 31st from the Reds, prior to the Postseason roster deadline. He actually performed well down the stretch, hitting .429 mainly as a pinch-hitter. He caught four innings of the Phils' September 9th game against the Braves.

2004 - A.J. Hinch made it into four September games with the 2004 Phillies, hitting just .182.

1981 Topps #3 RBI Leaders - Cecil Cooper & Mike Schmidt

Astros 7, Phillies 0

Astros' manager Cecil Cooper had to be happy with what he saw tonight, as the Astros embarrassed the Phils, 7-0. Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel can't be thrilled with the way his team's offense seems to have completely disappeared. Sure they took two out of three from the Giants, but they did it scoring only three runs.

Cliff Lee got knocked around in his three innings of work, allowing six runs on nine hits. (You read that right - Cliff Lee lasted only three innings tonight.) The Astros' scoring started on a 2-run double by pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. The other five runs scored by the Astros didn't matter much, as both the Phils and Chachi scored the same amount of runs tonight.

Transactions: Brett Myers was activated from the 60-day DL today, and he'll most likely pitch in a set-up capacity out of the bullpen. In a flurry of roster finagling, Steven Register was designated for assignment. Steven had appeared in one game with the Phils in July.

2009 Chachi #56 Paul Hoover

Recently recalled catcher Paul Hoover will wear #24 with the Phillies, as he waits for a chance to get into a game.

Phillies debut: September 25, 2009
Major League debut: September 8, 2001
Former teams: Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2001-2002, Florida Marlins 2006-2008
How acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent formerly with the Florida Marlins' organization, January 7, 2009

Pictured: Paul in action with the IronPigs earlier this year.

Paul has played in parts of five big league seasons, but his career high in games played came last year when he appeared in 13 games with the Marlins. Paul does not yet own a home run in the Majors.

Phillies at Astros: September 4th through September 7th

Friday 8:05, Saturday 7:05, Sunday & Monday 2:05

Records: Phillies 77-54, 1st Place in NL East (8 games ahead of the Braves); Astros 63-70, 4th Place in NL Central (15 games behind the Cardinals)

Houston Who?: 131 games into the 2009 season, and this is the first time the Phillies and Astros will play this year. That doesn't make sense.

Former Phillies with the Astros: I guess we should start with the current Astros' GM and co-architect of the 2008 World Champion Phillies, Ed Wade. Ed was the Phils' GM for eight seasons from 1998 until 2005. Center fielder Michael Bourn (2006-2007) is having a break-out year, currently leading the NL with triples (11) and stolen bases (49). Back-up catcher Chris Coste (2006-2009) has played 29 games for the Astros and is hitting .203 since the Phils waived him in July. Fourth outfielder Jason Michaels (2001-2005) is hitting .233 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI this year. Color commentator Jim Deshaies pitched in two games for the 1995 Phillies. Finally, Geoff Geary (2003-2007) is currently pitching for the AAA Round Rock Express in Round Rock, Texas.

Magic Number: 23

Phillies Probables: Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ

Astros Probables: Wandy Rodriguez, Roy Oswalt, Bud Norris, Brian Moehler

1998 Skybox Dugout Axcess #35 Curt Schilling

Former Phillie Curt Schilling is apparently mulling the possibility of a Senate run to fill the Massachusetts seat vacated by the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy.

The Phillies Room Responds: While we appreciate Curt Schilling's years of service to the Phillies' organization, The Phillies Room in no way endorses Mr. Schilling's potential run for the Senate. Instead, we are intrigued by the possibility of endorsing Kent Tekulve for the vacated seat. We would gladly welcome the opportunity to work with Senator Tekulve.

2009 Phillies Team Issue Update #45 Pedro Martinez

Phillies 2, Giants 1

Phillies announcer Chris Wheeler called tonight's game a "belly burner," which is Wheels-speak for a game that could have easily induced indigestion. Pedro Martinez, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge shut down the Giants tonight to win the game and take the series. Pedro's only mistake came on his first pitch of the game, which Eugenio Velez hit for a lead-off home run. He settled in after that, pitching seven strong innings and striking out nine.

Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge did their jobs tonight, closing down the Giants in the eighth and ninth innings. Lidge earned his 28th save.

The Phillies runs were provided by Jayson Werth's 30th home run of the year (a solo shot in the second) and Ryan Howard's RBI-double in the sixth.

The Newest Phil: Catcher Paul Hoover joined the team today as their third catcher. Paul will be happy to know he'll eventually be card #56 in the 2009 Chachi set.

To Hit, or Not to Hit, that is the Question: Todd Zolecki tweeted last night that Raul Ibañez actually said this when approached about his struggles at the plate: "I think it was Shakespeare who said, 'My head is bloodied, but unbowed.' Keep fighting." Pat Burrell definitely never provided post-game quotes like that. (The quote is actually from William Ernest Henley.)

2007 Upper Deck Goudey #3 Aaron Rowand

Giants 4, Phillies 0

I thought Brad Penny was struggling this year? And where's the Phillies' offense (again)?

Making his 2009 NL debut, Giants pitcher Brad Penny shut down the struggling Phillies offense for eight innings. The Phillies managed just five hits on the night, never advancing as far as third base. Phillies starter J.A. Happ ran into trouble in the sixth inning, allowing back-to-back home runs to Juan Uribe and Aaron Rowand.

Tomorrow's another day, boys. And that's all I've got.