Monday, May 23, 2016

Tommy Greene No-Hitter Card #2: Stadium Club Members Only

For the middle edition of our Tommy Greene No-Hitter Trilogy we take a look at a special card from the 1991 Topps Stadium Club set.

1991 Topps Stadium Club Members Only Tommy Greene

Little hard to make out in the card photo but at the bottom of the card it states "Members Only". The Phrase refers to the set only issued to TSC Members.

Good Action shot of Tommy Greene here and the Full Bleed is nice, especially for 1991. However Topps stumbled on a pet peeve for me - on Specialty card dedicated to No-Hitters and other milestones it always irks me when the card messes up the Home/Away illusion.

As we know from the no-hitter box featured in our earlier posting, Tommy Greene tossed his gem in Montreal. In the above photo Greene is obviously in the Phillies Home Whites.

1991 Topps Stadium Club Members Only Tommy Greene (b-side)

Topps makes up for that oversight on the back of the card. Yeah my irrational dislike for Fouling up the Uni- Colors is matched by Irrational love of Newsprint themed cards.

Pretty sure I would read the Stadium Club Herald cover to cover if it were published today.

I am a little disappointed with the portion of the Text that specifies "Seven bases on balls were all Tommy permitted...".

In what world are 7 walks considered trivial! 
 
Sources and Links
Tommy Greene No-Hitter Master Posting
No-Hitter Index
Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards - Bob Lemke  

Sunday, May 22, 2016

25 Years Ago: Tommy Greene 1992 Score #426 No-Hit Club

We have reached 25th anniversary of the No-Hitter authored by the Phillies own Tommy Greene. 

1992 Score #426 No-Hit Club Tommy Greene

Greene Shutout the Expos 2-0 in Montreal. The game was Greene's second start of the season and only the 15th of his career. Greene's Catcher Darrin Fletcher was just as inexperienced, playing in only his 27th game.

Tommy Greene had come over to the Phillies in the same deal that brought Dale Murphy to the team less than a year prior. As of May 1992 the 24 year old Greene had still not established himself as a regular starting pitcher. The only reason that Greene even got to face the Expos was because Danny Cox had to skip a start due to an injury.

Box Notes
1992 Score #426 No-Hit Club Tommy Greene (b-side)

Lots of unknowns in the Phillies LineUp of May 23 1991. I vaguely remember Rod Booker and the short-lived Wally Backman era, John Morris rings no bells at all. We also have a John Kruk game with him playing in Left Field.

Among the hitters that Tommy Greene were Hall of Stats member Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga, and Delino DeShields. Greene struck out 10 Expos in the game including Hat Tricks for Galarraga and Marquis Grissom.

Greene's game was not without it's blemishes. He gave up seven walks which led to him facing 33 batters, which I suspect is a pretty high number for a no-hitter.

The opposing pitcher was Oil Can Boyd who had a pretty good game of his own 8 innings, 6 Hits and 1 run.

More Greene
The Tommy Greene No-Hitter gave Phillies fans a few other cards, over the next day or two we will take a quick look at these gems.

1991 Topps Stadium Club Members Only Tommy Greene

We discuss the above Stadium Club here.

1992 Donruss #94 Tommy Greene No-Hitter Against Expos


Sources and Links
No-Hitter Index
Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News - Jennifer Frey 1991 0524
Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News - Paul Hagen
Philadelphia Inquirer - Jayson Stark/Dick Polman
Baseball-Ref
Inky/Montreal Gazette - Larry Fredricks and Frank Lawlor
Hall of Stats

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Happy 70th Birthday Reggie Jackson

On May 18th Reggie Jackson Celebrates his 70th birthday.

2013 Topps Across the Years #ATY-RJ Reggie Jackson 

A few years ago the common insert in A&G was these Across the Years cards that each recognized the birthday of a star player. Nice for a posting regarding a players birthday - Even the cards don't mention the birthday on the card front

Reggie as with any athlete that can be identified by only a single name doesn't need any introduction.

The first ballot Hall of Famer (1993) clouted 563 Home Runs. He was on Four World Series Winners and took home MVP honors in the Fall Classic twice. His regular season accolades include an MVP award in 1973 and four home run titles. He also led the circuit in OPS+ four times including 1969 when he finished first in Offensive WAR with a number of +8.5.

I think he is primarily know for his five years with the Yankees, but he spent twice as much time with the A's. In fact Jackson played 34 more games with the Angels than he did as a Yankee.

One other note on Geography, Reggie Jackson is from Philadelphia. He went to Cheltanham High School just on the edge of the city, yet he is never mentioned in connection with Philly. Never.

All four teams that he played for were in the AL, so Reggie never got to play in Philadelphia. He made 14 all-star teams including every year from 1971-1984 except one, 1976 the year the game was played at the Vet - It was also Jackson's only campaign with the Baltimore Orioles.

flip
2013 Topps Across the Years #ATY-RJ Reggie Jackson (b-side) 

The ATY inserts list a number of other notables that share a birthday with the A-side subject. The other baseball players listed are fellow Haller Brooks Robinson (celebrating birthday number 79) and early 20th century Pirates pitcher Babe Adams (b 1882).

The cards also contain in interesting event from the players date of birth. Appropriate for an Out of the World player Reggie card contains a UFO reference.  A story regarding the UFO sighting can be found here. the Gosta Carlsson on the back of the card is NOT the same person as the Olympic Cyclist.

Sources and Links
Reggie Jackson HoF Index
Topps
baseball-ref
UFO Conjecture
Sports-ref

Reggie Jackson HoF Index

This is an index of our posts related to Reggie Jackson

1970 Topps #459 Reggie Jackson All-Star

1977 Hostess Twinkies #9 (SP on Uncut Sheet)
1978 Topps #7 Record Breaker (5 HR Series / Kieth Jackson Memorial)
2002 UD Piece of History 500 HR Club Jersey #HR-RJ Reggie Jackson and b-side
2013 Allen & Ginter Across the Years #ATY-RJ Reggie Jackson




Monday, May 16, 2016

2016 Topps Phillies Checklist & Photo Game Dates: Jerad Eickhoff #2

My latest obsession with recent Topps has been combing Getty Images and finding the pictures that are on the cards. Tonight with Jerad Eickhoff scheduled to be on the mound facing the Marlins we have chosen to feature a card with a photo of him taken last year in Miami.

2016 Topps #2 Jerad Eickhoff

Sitting in the #2 spot for 2016 Topps is Jerad Eickhoff. With Mike Trout occupying the leadoff spot Eickhoff is Essentially the first non-star card of the set.

I found the Photo on the card relatively quickly. In 2016 Topps has done a good job of getting shots of rookies during their debut game, which is the case with Jerad. The original photo in Getty Images was taken by Sports Photographer Ronald C Modra who has shot 70 Sports Illustrated Covers.

Eikhoff's debut  on August 21, 2015 was a successful one as the Phillies defeated the Marlins 7-1 in Miami. Eickhoff scattered five hits and a walk over six shutout innings. In addition to recording his first Major League W, Eickhoff collected his first Hit along with a pair of RBIs on a Bases Loaded single off Kendry Flores in the fourth inning.

When the Philllies acquired Jerad Eickhoff from the Rangers as part of the Cole Hamels deal I really didn't expect much from him. In fact I still don't, perhaps due to these low expectations he has been a pleasant surprise.

Getty Got It
I have started keeping track of the cards that I have found on Getty and decided that this post will serve as an Index to the other columns dedicated to game dating cards for 2016 Topps Phillies.

A full Green Line in the chart below signifies Phungo Games, which are games that Team Phungo has been fortunate enough to attend. If the Players Name is highlighted in Red that is a link to the specific posting dealing with the related card.


Card Date Game Result Photographer
2 - Jerad Eickoff 2015 0421 PHL 7 FLA 1 Ronald C Modra
15 - Ryan Howard 2015 0726 PHL 11 CHC 5 Jonathan Daniel
23 - Jeff Francoeur 2015 0802 ATL 6 PHL 2 Mitchell Leff
27 - Alec Asher 2015 0830 SDP 9 PHL 4 Mitchell Leff
68 - Odubel Herrera 2015 0422 FLA 6 PHL 1 Hunter Martin
115 - Aaron Harang 2015 0626 WAS 5 PHL 2 Mitchell Leff
133 - Aaron Nola 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
157 - Darnell Sweeeney 2015 0902 PHL 4 NYM 9  JIM McIsaac
207 - Maikel Franco 2016 0717 FLA 3 PHL 6 Rob Leiter
237 - Carlos Ruiz 2015 0624 PHL 2 NYY 10  Jim McIsaac
PP-6 - Freddy Galvis 2016 0802 ATL 6 PHL 2 Mitchell Leff
OD - 146 Domonic Brown
133 - Aaron Nola 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
133 - Aaron Nola SSP 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
SRA-AN Aaron Nola 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
Aaron Nola Heritage Real One Auto 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
#OD-70 Aaron Nola 2015 0721 TBR 1 PHL 0 Miles Kennedy
P-20 Ryan Howard Perspectives 2015 0629 PHL 2 CIN 11 Jamie Sabau
Cole Hamels 2015 0725 PHL 5 CHC 0

If your are interested in game dated cards I suggest you check out the 2014 Topps Blog which has taken a detailed look at a bundle of cards from the set.

Sources and Links
2016 Topps Index
Phungo Game Dated Index
Ronald C Modra
Cardboard Connection
Getty Images
Baseball-Ref

Saturday, May 14, 2016

1976 ASG +40: Joe Morgan 1976 Topps #420

This weekend the Phillies open a nine game homestand with a three game set against the Reds. Forty years ago when the All-Star game was held in Philadelphia the Reds sent an entourage of seven players plus manager Sparky Anderson.


1976 Topps #420 Joe Morgan AS

Among the seven was the teams entire infield including future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. At the time of the 76 All-Star game Morgan may have been at the height of his 22 year career. He was in the middle of his 2nd consecutive MVP season. The Reds won the World Series during both of Morgan's MVP campaigns. The only folks that separated Joe Morgan from winning both of those MVP awards unanimously were his Reds teammates (Pete Rose 2 Votes in 1976 & George Foster 5, 1976).

And from an advanced stats perspective, the Voters were correct, Joe Morgan was a monster. 1976 was the 5th of  six consecutive seasons in which the second baseman would lead the league in Offensive WAR. Four of those years he would lead all Position Players in WAR, during both MVP years he led all players in WAR.

1976 All-Star Game
Morgan started the game along with the rest of the Reds Infield, He went 1 for 3 including a single off of HoF Pitcher Cafish Hunter in the 3rd. Later in the inning he would score on a Home Run by teammate George Foster.

The 1976 All-Star Game was the 7th of 10 trips to the Mid-Summer Classic including 1972 when he was the Games MVP. Morgan started and played all nine innings of that game, He only picked up one hit, but it was an important one. With one out and Nate Colbert at second base Morgan punched a single off of Dave McNally to drive in the game winning run.


1976 Topps #420 Joe Morgan AS (b-side)

Just posting the b-side so you can see Morgan's 1975 MVP Stat line.

For more on this card and a lot of info on his playing career plus a couple of videos check out Project Baseball 1976.


Sources and Links
1976 ASG 40th Anniversary Index
Joe Morgan HoF Index
Project Baseball 1976
Baseball-Ref

Joe Morgan HoF Index

This is an Index of Cards and Postings related to Joe Morgan

1976 Topps #420 Joe Morgan AS

Joe Morgan HoF Index
1976 Topps #420 (1976 ASG 40th Anniversary)
1984 Topps #705 (NL Active SB Leaders / 1983 NL Champ Series)

Friday, May 13, 2016

2013 Phungo #66 Tommy Joseph

Quick Posting to note the Major League Debut of Tommy Joseph

2013 Phungo #66 Tommy Joseph

I knew of Tommy Joseph for a little prior to his trade into the Phillies organization. He was one of the more noteworthy players at the AA All-Star game held at Reading in 2012.

He was still in the Giants organization at the time and signed lots of autographs that night. I liked the fact that he referred to the Plate as "the Dish" when I asked him if he was playing. "I'm starting and playing behind the Dish" he said.

Photo here is a lil blurry, but I was happy enough to add it to the Tommy Joseph Wiki page. I have "donated" a few Pictures to Wikiepedia and it is always exciting to see the subjects reach milestones.

Thanks to the Phillies Room for posting the card so I didn't have to dig around my files to figure out where I stored it.  

Sources and Links
2013 Phungo Checker

Thursday, May 12, 2016

ANNIVERSARY: George Brett Sets Record for Consecutive 3-Hit Games

Forty years ago George Brett set a bit of an odd record. He logged 3 or more hits in six consecutive games.
1977 Topps #231 Record Breaker George Brett 

I am a little amazed that in the pre-BigData era that anyone (probably Elias in this case) was able to research this record. The Streak began on May 8 1976 in Baltimore where Brett recorded 3 hits in the last two games of a three game set. The Royals then returned home to face the Twins, Brett collected 3 hits in each of the three games of that series and then he was able to repeat the feat for one game versus the White Sox.

During the six games Brett went 18 for 26 and added a pair of Walks for an average of .692 and an OBP of .714. His long hits were a Double and a Homer for a slugging number of .846.

The Royals went 5-1 during the streak.

Brett's Victims
May 8 vs Orioles - Ken Holtzmanman (2), Doyle Alexander (3rd Hit in 8th inning),
May 9 vs Orioles - F Jim Palmer (2), Ross Grimsley,
May 10 vs Twins - HoF Bert Blyleven (3, Double, 3rd Hit in 8th, but batted in 9th),
May 11 vs Twins - Jim Hughes (2), Tom Burgmeier
May 12 vs Twins - Joe Decker (2), Vic Albury
May 13 vs White Sox - Bart Johnson (2, HR), Francisco Barrios (3rd Hit in 8th Inning

During the streak Brett saw his average rise from .277 to .396. Pretty good for mid May.

 1977 Topps #231 Record Breaker George Brett (b-side)

According to Baseball-Ref the record still stood as of 2009. Although B-Ref also mentions a streak by Dodgers second baseman Ted Sizemore in 1970 that is overlooked by Topps. 

1976 All-Star Game
We ran a column on George Brett and the 1976 ASG previously, just wanted to take this opportunity to post a couple of screenshots and addendums to that post:


George Brett introduced himself as "Ken Brett's baby Brother"

During his first At Bat ABC put up his stats and it is easy to see why Brett made the All-Star game.


Brett tailed off a bit but still ended up leading the league in batting with a BA of only .333. He also led the league in Hits, Triples, Total Bases and Offensive WAR. For a more detailed discussion of the 1976 AL MVP voting check the post from last month. 

Sources and Links
1976 All-Star Game Index
1977 Topps Record Breakers Index
George Brett HoF Index
Baseball-Ref
YouTube - 1976 ASG
Baseball Almanac

1999 Topps Opening Day #162 Highlights Kerry Wood 20 strikeout Game

The Nationals Max Scherzer added his name to the short list of pitchers to record 20 K games last nights, the others were HoF Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and....

 1999 Topps OD #162 Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood in just his 5th career game struck out 20 Astros in a 2-0 complete game victory. The sole hit of the game was a third inning single by Ricky Guttierrez.

Among the Hitters in the Houston Lineup were Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (1K), Jeff Bagwell (3), Moises Alou (3) and Derek Bell (2).


1992 Topps #162 Kerry Wood (b-side)
  
The story of the game is told on the back of the card, however there is a Sloppy Topps moment as they got the score of the game incorrect - The text says 1-0, however the Cubs recorded two runs in the game.

Sources and Links
Baseball-ref

Monday, May 9, 2016

2016 Topps Perspectives #P20 Ryan Howard: Catch or No Catch?

It has been out for what 3+ Months now and we are returning to our look at 2016 Topps.

One of the more favorably received inserts in 2016T is the Perspectives set. A 25 card insert with a photography focus. It sort of gives flagship collectors a glimpse into the Stadium Club brand.

2016 Topps #P-20 Perspectives Ryan Howard

The only Phillies card in the set is of Ryan Howard. While a nice picture, the shot selection is a bit perplexing. Why do you take a player known for one thing and one thing only - Hitting Home Runs and show him fielding?

While I admire the man's effort, Howard was mediocre at First Base even at his best.

Safe or Out? 
So did Ryan Howard make the catch next to the tarp? We will let you know later in the posting. 

Flip
2016 Topps #P-20 Perspectives Ryan Howard (b-side)

I think part of the Perspectives theme is the players off the field Philanthropic efforts, although I saw no such mention on the Ryan Braun Perspectives entry. Of course, it appears the Big Piece Foundation's website (mentioned on the Topps card) appears to be defunct, so who knows where the $200,000+ they raised went.

I do like how the text on Perspectives is laid out over a shot of the field from the Perspective of the batters box. 

Getty Got It
We were able to find the original image in the Getty library and we have the verdict on the play....

no catch.

I know your shocked, The play was from a Reds 11-2 victory over the Phillies on June 29, 2015. The foul ball was off the bat of Zach Cozart - Not sure which AB. However we do know it was not during Cozart's first plate appearance when he hit a Grand Slam, according to B-Ref that Home Run occurred on a 0-0 count so no foul ball.

The photo was taken by sports photographer Jamie Sabau.

Sources and Links
2016 Topps Index
Game Dated Cards (Phungo Game Cards) 
2016 Topps Phillies
Philly Inquirer
Getty Images
Jamie Sabau
Cardboard Connection
Baseball-ref 

Sunday, May 8, 2016

1976 ASG +40: Catfish Hunter 1988 Topps 87 ASG #11

We have a lot going on with our Sunday Night Baseball posting this week. 

ESPN is back in New York for another Red Sox v Yankees match up. The Big Apple venue gives us a chance to discuss one of the sadder of our 1976 All-Star Game subjects, Jim "Catfish" Hunter.

1988 Topps 87 All-Star #11 of 22 Jim Hunter

The 1976 All-Star game was the final of Catfish Hunter's eight appearances on the Mid-Summer Classic Roster. He represented the A's six times and the Yankees twice.

Overall 1976 was a mediocre season for Catfish, his ASG roster spot was earned with four consecutive top-4 Cy Young finishes in the seasons prior. His 1975 Cy 2nd included leading the league with 23 Wins and 30 Complete Games. His the most recent player to break the 30 CG mark and will probably be the last of my generation

Hunter was the 2nd AL pitcher to take the mound in the 76 ASG. He pitched the 3rd and 4th innings giving up a pair of runs on a 2-run bomb by Reds Outfielder George Foster. Hunter faced 3 HoF players in the two innings:

Joe Morgan - Singled and scored in front of  Foster's Home Run
Johnny Bench - Stuck Out to end the 3rd Inning
Tom Seaver - Stuck Out to end the 4th Inning

So really he faced only 2 HoF Hitters, we are being precise here - blogging is important.

The sole Phillies batter he faced was Greg Luzinski who flew out to Left.

1988 Topps All-Star Commemoratives
Picked this card because Catfish was not issued an All-Star card as a Yankee during his playing days.

The 1988 Topps Commemoratives which were placed in rack packs included two 1987 ASG Honorary Captain cards. Hunter represented the AL while Billy Williams received the honor for the NL. The two were inducted into the Hall of Fame later that summer.

Sloppy Topps
Details kids, the 1987 All-Star game was held in Oakland and Catfish wore the colors of his original team the A's for the occasion.

Catfish Hunter All-Star
Catfish Hunter spent his entire career in the AL during an era when the NL dominated the All-Star Game. The Junior Circuit lost all eight games in which he was on the roster, and truth be told he didn't help the AL very much.

Hunter pitched in six of those eight games including a fine performance in his first ASG in 1967. The game went 15 innings and Catfish pitched the final 5. Hunter only gave up two hits through his first four innings, unfortunately he gave up a Home Run to Tony Perez in the 15th.

The games outcome is noted in the -toon on the back of Hunter's 1969T card.

1969 Topps #236 Jim Hunter (b-side)

In today's terms giving up a run in an All-Star game seems about average, the cartoon neglects to mention that the single run occurred in an outing that went 5 innings.

And an Anniversary
Turning our attention to the text, the card mentions Catfish Hunter's No Hit Perfect Game. Today happens to be the anniversary of that Perfect Game a 4-0 A's victory over the Twins on May 8 1948. Hunter's 1969 Topps card is the first one issued after the game, therefore the first of his cards to include the words "Perfect Game". I imagine that prior to this card the only Topps Cards that mentioned "Perfect Game" were dedicated to Don Larsen, Jim Bunning and Sandy Koufax.

According to Baseball-Ref Catfish Hunter made $23,500 in 1968. Assuming that is his post bonus number, the $5,000 raise mentioned on the card is an increase of 27%. The US Department of Labor Inflation Calculator estimates that five grand is the equivalent of $34,000 in 2016 Dollars.

Here is a look at the front o the card

1969 Topps #236 Jim Hunter

Hunter's other ASG appearances were all mediocre at best

1966: DNP
1967: See above
1970: 3 Earned runs including a Home Run to Dick Dietz, while recording only a single out.
1972: DNP
1973: His Best ASG 1 1/3 no runs 1 hit, no walks. outs recorded vs HoF Joe Morgan and Hank Aaron plus Pete Rose.
1974: 2 Innings allowed a Home Run to Reggie Smith, Struck out 3 batters including Perez.
1975: Allowed 2 ER in 2IP - although the runs were both allowed in by Goose Gossage after Hunter exited the game without recording an out in the 9th.
1976: See Above

Sources and Links
1976 ASG 40th Anniversary Index 
Catfish Hunter HoF Index
No-Hitter Index
Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards - Bob Lemke  
Getty Images
YouTube - 1976 ASG
Baseball Almanac
Baseball-ref 
Bureau of Labor Inflation Calculator

Jim "Catfish" Hunter HoF Index

This is an index of our postings related to Jim Catfish Hunter

1966 Topps #36 Jim Hunter


1988 Topps '87 ASG Commemorative Set #11 - 1976 ASG +40/Perfect Game +48


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Phillies WAR Report April 2016 and 2016 Phungo #20 Odubel Herrera

The Phillies had a pretty nice April picking up an unexpected 14 wins largely due to great starting pitching. However, my biggest surprise for the first month of the Season was Odubel Herrera.

2016 Phungo #20 Odubel Herrera 

I had felt Herrera's .297 BA 2015 Season was a bit of an anomaly and that he would have a bit of a drop off during his sophomore season. It is early but it is worth mentioning Herrera has maintained a decent average so far in 2016 - more impressive are his 23 WALKS! This from a man how walked 28 times in 537 PAs a year ago.

Inducing walks is something a player can work on, but I would never have expected it out of Herrera so early in his career. I hope that he continues to walk and/or gets more strikes and knocks them all over the park. His 4 XBHs in his 80 April ABs this year puts Odubel on pace for close to 25 Long Hits for the season which would be down 39% from his total of 41 in 2016.  There are some sample size issues there, but lets hope that Herrera doesn't lose to much of his power while watching his Bases on Ball number shoot up.

Regardless according to several metrics he is better off walking. His 138 OPS+ number is a step up from the respectable 108 he posted in 2015 and his 0.9 oWAR is a solid month for a player who posted a full season oWAR of +2.7 a year ago. 

For Future reference I captured the Phillies WAR numbers for April 2016

Pitchers
WAR 
Batters
WAR 
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.2
0.7
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.1
Charlie Morton (15-day dl)
0.3
0.1
0.2
0.0
Dalier Hinojosa (15-day dl)
0.2
0.0
0.1
Dalier Hinojosa (15-day dl)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Luis Garcia (40-man)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
-0.3
Luis Garcia (40-man)
0.0
Daniel Stumpf (40-man)*
-0.3
0.0
-0.6
0.0


Daniel Stumpf (40-man)*
0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0


Charlie Morton (15-day dl)
-0.1


-0.1


-0.1


-0.2


-0.3


-0.3


-0.4


-0.5


-0.5


-0.8

Table Includes games through 2016 0430

2016 Phungo Cards
I never get around to posting as man Phungo cards as I want. I had brief thoughts of putting Herrera on the #1 card, but in the end it was rightfully given to Maikel Franco. Odubel gets the Hero #20.

The photo is a bit of an oddity, I think this is what is referred to as a 3/4 rear angle or something similar. Regardless I try and get my shots from somewhere up front or at worst in profile. It is real rare for me to select a photo from behind a player. This one past the interesting test because I believe you can feel the pitch coming in and we get to see Odubel Herrera's distinctive leg kick.

The picture was taken during a 5-2 loss to the Braves. Herrera went 1-4 in the game with a single. Perhaps pre-saging his 2016 BB surge he led all Phillies in pitches seen with 17. For more details and pix from that game click here.

Sources and Links 
2016 Phungo Checker
WAR stories

Baseball-ref

a thousand words

a thousand words
2008 World Champions