Topps #1 Club: 2004 Heritage Jim Thome (and a short print)

The Phillies recently posted their 2016 Wall of Fame ballot, Right at the top of the list is Slugger Jim Thome.

We are going to use this opportunity to extend our tour of #1 cards to include Topps Heritage.

 
2004 Topps Heritage #1b Jim Thome (sp)

In 2004 Topps put Jim Thome on card #1 in both flagship AND their heritage set. At the time Thome was coming off of his first season with the Phillies, a year in which he had led the NL in Home Runs with 47.  Not sure if it was a factor getting Thome on the #1 card but there was also a lot of buzz around Phillies as the team opened Citizen's Bank Ballpark in 2004 as well.

Near as I can tell the #1 Heritage Thome Card has no connection with the subject of the original 1955T card which was Dusty Rhodes.

1955 Topps #1 Dusty Rhodes (image swiped from Baseball Card Database)

Rhodes earned the top spot by hitting a pair of Home Runs and collecting 7 RBI while helping the New York Giants to win the World Series over the Cleveland Indians. Amazingly Dusty Rhodes didn't start a game in the 1954 Series and only played in 3 games, with 7 total plate appearances. But he made them count - one of the Homers was a Walk off in Game one. In game 2 he had a game tying hit in the 5th inning followed by a lead extending Homer later in the game. Those three hits all came off of future Hall of Famers (Bob Lemon G1, Early Wynn G2)

2004 Heritage #1

2004 Topps Heritage #1 Jim Thome (sp, b-side)

Returning to Jim Thome we post the back of his card and you can clearly see the #1 in the top left. We also have a minor connection to the Dusty Rhodes card - the cartoon/trivia Q on the Thome card does happen to reference Dusty's team, the Giants.

Short Print

2004 Topps Heritage #1b Jim Thome (sp)
2004 Topps Heritage #1 Jim Thome (base)

If you have been paying attention you will have noticed that the card we are discussing is a short print. The SP is the top card above with Thome shown holding the bat. The common #1 card is the latter of the pair with and action shot of Thome holding the bag at first. The Facsimile auto is moved a tad to better match the inset shot, other than that the Base and SP are identical.

2nd Flip

2004 Topps Heritage #1b Jim Thome (sp, b-side)
2004 Topps Heritage #1 Jim Thome (base, b-side)

And one final flip just to demonstrate the two cards have matching backs.  This is 2004 and Topps is in the pre-serial code era, that small print above the stats doesn't clue us in to which card is a base and which is a shorty. I pulled the two cards within a string of 3 packs or I may noticed myself.

Sources and Links
#1 Club
Jim Thome Player Collection
Baseball Card Database
Phillies
Baseball-ref

2018 HOF Candidate: Jim Thome

On December 6 2002 the Philadelphia Phillies announced that the long struggling club was ready for big time when they signed free agent slugger Jim Thome.

Things didn't work out as well as Phillies fans would have liked but the short-lived Thome era did have some fun moments. Over the course of his first two seasons in Philadelphia Thome hit 89 Home Runs including a league leading 47 in 2003. 

2004 Topps #1 Jim Thome (image swiped from Dean's Cards)

Topps honored the league leading season by putting Jim Thome on the #1 card of it's 2004 set (AL HR Leader Alex Rodriguez got 2004 Topps next hero card #100).

Good looking card and I am glad that Thome was recognized by Topps while he wore a Phillies uniform. The team didn't make the playoffs while Thome was here, but it is my opinion he was a key stepping stone to getting the team to a competitive level.

One of my favorite moments of Jim Thome's tenure in Philadelphia was his 400th career Home Run which came during a Phillies 10-7 victory over the Reds on June 14 2004. The game is briefly discussed in our 2006 Wall of Fame posting.  

2004 Topps #1 Jim Thome (b-side image swiped from Dean's Cards)

On the top left of the back of the card we can indeed see that this is the #1 card in the set. 
It also shows Thome's inaugural Phillies stat line which notes his league leading 47 homers in red (as well as his 182 Ks). The short text blurb touches on Thome's other strength, getting on base. The 60 game on-base streak was stopped by pitchers Kris Benson and Scott Sauerbeck during a 2-0 Pirates victory over the Phillies.

Phun Phact
Topps also put Jim Thome on the #1 card of the 2004 Heritage set.

Phungo Verdict
HOF - Big Fan, 600 Home Runs, Great Guy.

Sources and Links
2018 HoF Candidates
Jim Thome Player Collection Index
Dean's Cards
#1 Club

Baseball-Ref

Jim Thome: Welcome to the Wall!

The Philllies are adding a Jim Thome plaque to their Wall of Fame tonight. I won't be there for the induction but do plan on getting down to the park at some point this weekend.

Thome's tenure here was short but he did provide some great memories

2005 Topps #25 Jim Thome

Remember a few years back when there was a buzz regarding Topps giving players card numbers that matched their uniform numbers. This Thome card is pre-buzz but it does fall on his #25.

2005 Topps #25 Jim Thome (b-side)

One of the reasons that I like this card is the fun fact, "On June 14, 2004, Jim Became the 37th Major Leaguer to reach 400 home runs." First off I respect the accomplishment and I am happy that the prodigious home run hitter reached the milestone while with the Phillies.

More selfishly I think it is cool that it was a game attended by Team Phungo.

Citizens Bank Ballpark was brand new at the time, there was always buzz at the stadium - even more so with a potential Thome Milestone. June 14 2004 was a rainy Monday night in which the Reds were in town to make up a game that had already been postponed once. None of this could damper the spirits of the fans there to see if Thome could hit #400. He didn't make us wait long - He homered in the first inning.

Except that there was the issue of a potential rainout - what would happen if the game didn't go the required 5 innings?

The clubs played through some rain and there were delays but the clubs eventually finished the contest (officially) with the Phillies winning 10-7 in a weather shortened 8 innings.

Someday I will dig through my ticket stubs and add one to this post.

Sources and Links
Phungo Jim Thome HR #400 Index
Phungo Jim Thome Player Collection
Phungo Games Index
Baseball-ref


 

Welcome to the Hall of Fame Jim Thome

Last night we got the good news that a Phillies Fan Favorite was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. \

2005 Fleer Skybox Autographics #43 Jim Thome

I don't need to get into his HOF credentials here, I mentioned them last month in our HOF ballot series.

The above 2005 Skybox Autographics set gets a fair on my design scale. Nothing really going for it, but inoffensive.

The real reason I was interested in posting this card for the HOF election announcement is the back

Flip

2005 Fleer Skybox Autographics #43 Jim Thome (b-side)

The last sentence in the text mentions Thome's 400th HR which occurred in a game that Team Phungo is very happy to say that we had the chance to attend.

2004 0614 Game Ticket Reds @ Phillies

The Phillies won the game 10-7, Jim Thome wasted no time getting his milestone Homer, a 2-run shot off of Jose Acevedo.  A video of the Home Run along with the call by Harry Kalas can be found here. It was a fun night and I am glad we live in an era when I can dial up the memory check out a video of the event just about anytime I want.

Returning to the b-side of the card I would like to take a look at the second half of the last sentence. Fleer mentions that a day prior to Thome's 400th Homer, Ken Griffey Jr had hit #499. Junior may be universally loved, however...

Check the ticket

Who did the Phillies play the day after Griffey hit #499? The Reds, Who did Griffey play for in 2004? the Reds! Therefore....

Ken Griffey was in town with 499 Career Homers the night Jim Thome hit his 400th Home Run. How cool would it have been to have 400th & 500th HR hit in the same game?!

Well it didn't happen.

Griffey sat out the game and hit #500 a week later.

Other Tributes
The Phillies Room - 2011 Phillies Team S2 #25
White Sox Cards - 2007 Heritage #33
Once a Cub - 1999 Fleer #95 (Game Dated Card)
Indian Baseball Cards Always Sketch card
My PCs one card at a time - 2001 Fleer E-X #48
Card Buzz - Canton Akron Classic Best Card
Padrographs - Custom

Sources and Links
Jim Thome Index
Jim Thome 400th HR Index
Game Dated Cards

2016 Wall of Fame inductee Jim Thome

The Phillies have announced that this year’s Wall of Fame inductee will be Jim Thome

2003 Donruss Studio #165 Jim Thome

Jim Thome’s tenure in Philadelphia was short but it had an impact. He may not have been a member of the playoff teams but he was an important piece that the organization needed to generate publicity while ramping up to opening of a new stadium.

The numbers for Thome’s 3+ Years are impressive, 101 Home Runs including an NL leading 47 in 2003 when he finished 4th in the MVP voting. He followed that up with an All-Star appearance in 2004. During each of his first two seasons in Philadelphia he finished top 10 NL in a number of offensive categories Homers, RBIs, Walks, SLG, and OPS.

2003 Donruss Studio
Picked this one because it features Thome in front of Veteran’s Stadium – the outgoing stadium. Regardless the building was good to Big Jim, He hit 28 dingers in the building including one on September 27 2003 which was the Final Home Run ever hit at the Vet. Later in that game he would also be plated on a Chase Utley single as the winning run in the Phillies final Veteran’s Stadium Walk-off Win.

One of the things I like about this picture is that just beyond Thome’s shoulders it features one of the giant statues that were set at the entrances of the Vet.  The sculptures were retained when Veteran's stadium was imploded and now sit around the former stadium’s perimeter.

Sources and Links
Phillies Wall of Fame Index
Phungo Jim Thome PC index
Baseball-ref

2004 Topps Heritage Faux Blaster - 1955 Topps Returns

The Phungo Faux Blaster is basically $20 worth of cards out of a single product or in a certain theme. Today we are examining 2004 Topps Heritage.

04 Heritage looks back at 1955 Topps, the first of the Topps Sets to feature Landscape/Horizontal cards. Here is one other link dedicated to 1955 Topps.

I picked up Five packs of the 04 Heritage at a show last month and opened the first pack over at A Pack to be Named Later. Recently Matt F of Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius has been busy opening a lot of quality 1980's and early 90's wax.

Here is what came out of the remaining 4 packs

Pack 2
304 Rocco Baldelli
1 Jim Thome
160 Carlos Quentin (early card but not a RC)
66 Kyle Davies RC
NPA15 Josh Beckett
67 Tim Salmon
270 Ramon Ortiz
103 Hideo Nomo

The Inserts (click to Enlarge)

Pack 3
86 Ray Durham
325 Alex Gonzalez
212 Darrin Erstad
133 Wes Helms
F10 Flashback Robin Roberts
4/4 Checklist (on some really thick cardboard)
277 Ty Wiggington
178 Shane Reynolds
322 Junior Spivey

Thome Short Print with Thome Base (Click to Enlarge)


Pack 4
353 Brad Lidge (Astros)
372 Eric Karros
189 Braden Looper
392 Jamie Moyer (Mariners)
1 Thome (SP)
76 Placido Polanco
285 Neifi Perez
199 Javier Vazquez

Phillies Past and Present

Pack 5
44 Jimmy Haynes
143 Brad Fullmer
280 Brian Giles
55 Brendan Donnelly
195 Flash Gordon
53 Jose Contreras
215 Randy Johnson
107 Jarrod Washburn

The five packs pretty much came up as promised. The lot didn't contain a "hit", four of the five packs contained either an insert or a short print. As far as I can tell the last pack does not contain an insert. The Short Print I pulled was of Jim Thome and 1 of the three inserts was of Robin Roberts - Very happy on the Phils meter. Pack four was probably the pick of the lot as it contained two Phils including the Thome SP, plus two future Phils who would make up part of the 2008 World Championship pitching staff.

Whenever I pick up packs in bulk from the a dealer at a show, I try and get a then to throw in some sort of a bonus. With the 5 packs of 04 Heritage I also picked up a pack of 2003 Fleer Tradtion which is featured in this post. That pack produced 10 cards the Highlights were a Sammy Sosa insert, Drew Henson SP, and an early Jake Peavy card.

Summarizing the 2004 Topps Heritage Faux Blaster: No big hits a couple of inserts and short prints. Who knows maybe the packs were searched, or I got the end of the Heritage box.

Overall I came away with 50 total cards broken down as follows:

36 2004 Topps Heritage Base Cards
1 Short Print Variation (Thome)
3 Inserts (Robin Roberts, Josh Beckett, Herb Score/Kerry Wood)

7 2003 Fleer Tradition Base Cards
1 Short Print (Drew Henson)
2 Insert (Sosa, Jeter Puzzle Piece )

The Heritage cards included 7 Past, Current or Future Phils of some significance which made the Faux Blaster a success, otherwise I would have considered it mediocre. Regardless, I think I would prefer this Blaster to a Blaster of 90 current topps cards.

1955 Topps

Lets take a look back at some of the other 1955 Topps related cards in the Phungo Collection:
1955 Topps #11 Ferris Fain

Ferris Fain played his first 6 seasons (1947-52) with the Philadelphia Athletics. During his career he posted an On Base Percentage of .424, which ranks 9th all time! Fain was basically a singles hitter (48 career Homers) with a lot of walks and it is doubtful he would have ever gotten consideration for the Hall of Fame. He also only played 9 seasons, one short of Hall of Fame qualification.

2004 is not the only time that Topps has recycled the 1955 design. They have done this as far back as 1975 when Topps had a subset featuring the Topps cards of the Leagues previous MVPs.


I am sure that most of you are also aware that Topps has used the design for a Mantle Subset and included a handful of 1955 style cards in their Fan Favorites Series:


2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites #84 Johnny Podres
2008 Topps Mickey Mantle Home Run History #HHR536 Mickey Mantle
(click to enlarge)

2011 Phungo Cards - JIm Thome

2011 Phungo #25 Jim Thome

Here is Jim Thome and his trademark pre-swing stance.  Thome does this prior to every pitch and I have seen him to it many times in many different uniforms - Indians, Phillies, White Sox, and the Twins.

This photo was taken on the 19th of June when Thome came to pinch hit with a couple of runners on.  At the time I really didn't mind - I was sitting in the best seats I ever had at the Phils new ballpark, and the Phils were enjoying a comfortable five run lead in the 9th inning.

Then Thome hit one of his most majestic Home Runs.  The shot cleared dead center by a good 30 feet.  Later in the inning Joe Mauer would hit a 2 run dinger to tie the game.  In the end it wasn't the Phils day as they lost 13-10 on a very sultry day.

It was a tough loss but we were enjoying a Saturday with good friends and some adult beverages so it wasn't all bad - plus I got a couple of nice shots for the Phungo collection.

2012 Topps Value Pack

Value Boxes are back for 2012.  I have limited my pickups for 2012 to a Hanger and Rack for Flagship and a Blaster and a Rack for Heritage. 

With that few cards in the collection, I figured adding a Value Box would not dupe up to many cards I had already picked up.  The Box went for $15.10 at a big box store - (14.99 +/- PA Sales Tax/Store Discount Card)     


Highlights

2012 Topps Heritage #296 Jim Thome

2012 Topps #259 Michael Stutes
2012 Topps #307 Vance Worley
2012 Topps #98 Dominic Brown

The Worley is a dupe.  I also got a dupe of the NL Pitching leaders in one of my Heritage packs.

2012 Topps Heritage #279 Matt Kemp
2012 Topps Heritage #108 Vladimir Guerrero

Both Michael Taylor RCs (#253, #407)

2012 Topps Inserts - Of course the Thome here is my favorite.  The Koufax is the bonus GG.  Golden Greats is probably my favorite of the 2012 inserts, so getting 2 of those is a bonus for me.   

2012 Topps Bonus Chrome #MBC1 Mickey Mantle

The Stats

Flagship
30 Base Cards including 3 Phils Base Cards
2 Golden Greats (Ripken, DiMaggio)
1 Golden Giveaway (Braun) 
1 Timeless Talents (Molitor-Braun)
1 Golden Moments (Ellsbury)
1 Gold Standard (Seaver)
1 Walk Off (Thome)
1 Gold Futures (Kimbrel)
1 87 Mini (Bourn) 
1 GoldRefractor thingy (Juan Nicasio - Rockies)  
Note - I don't believe packs are retailer specific, so there are no red or blue parallels.    

Heritage
16 Base (1.5 Phils - Thome, NL pitching leaders)
2 Floating Head Stickers (Starlin Castro, Nelson Cruz)  

Bonus
1 Golden Giveaway (Koufax)
Mickey Mantle Chrome teaser Card


For The Collector - Value Box??? 


Click here for yesterday's dollar cents analysis of what is in a Topps Value Box.

Sources and Links
Vladimir Guerrero HOF Index

Congratulations Jim Thome - 600 Homers

2011 Phungo #25 Jim Thome

Jim Thome now ranks 8th career in Homers and 4th among Lefties (Bonds, the Babe, and Junior)

I am very happy to see Thome reach the milestone, he will always be one of the best players that I was able to see play on a regular basis.  I hope he sticks around for another season and gets another crack at a ring.  

For more info on the above card click here.

Phungo 5 with Rhubarb Runner

Today the Phils host the Minnesota Twins in the rubber match of their three game Series. To give us some insight on the AL Central Division leaders today we have Rhubarb Runner of é rayhahn, rayhahn.

How has playing at Target Field affected the Twins?

The Twins have drawn well the past few years (good teams will do that), but obviously the new, beautiful ballpark has been bringing in the fans big-time. A big question in the media was how would the ballpark play for HRs? One of our regulars at WGOM did a three part study (it was even referenced at the Wall Street Journal, and although the footprint is similar to the Metrodome, the temperature/humidity/wind was expected to keep HRs down in all but the hot days of mid-summer, and that has shown to be true. Twins are fielding just as well now that they're off turf, but we have one of the more generous official scorers.

Which Twins pitcher are you looking forward to watching bat? Heh - good question! Been a while since Johan swung his hot bat for the Twins...I'm going to say Kevin Slowey. He's my favorite of the starters, and there's no reason "Slowtime" can't have a little luck at the plate. I was wanting to add #59 and a slow moving vehicle sign to the back of my Twins uni shirt, but haven't pulled the trigger on that yet.

2010 06 19 Kevin Slowey - check it out no batting gloves.

How did you acquire so many Oddball cards?

Back when I lived in Los Angeles during the dark days of the Junk Wax Era, I used to pick up a lot of stuff that had Twins in them -- Toys 'R Us box sets, baseball card magazine insert pages (back when Beckett wasn't the monopoly and MLB Licensing didn't crack down on it), cereal/string cheese/Crackerjack/etc. food issues -- you name it. I didn't know many other team collectors, so never had much opportunity to trade the non-Twins. Nice to finally see them begin to find good homes now, though, thanks to the great internet neighborhood of collectors out there.

Do Pre-Twins Washington Senators Cards have much appeal for you?

You know, the pre-1961 Washington Senators have a LOT of appeal to me, but I just don't collect them. There are so many Twins cards - I have to draw a line somewhere, so I don't pursue the Senators cards, nor to I collect minor league cards (unless they say specifically "Minnesota Twins" on them). On a related note, I really wish the Twins organization gave their Senators history more acknowledgement. My God, guys like Walter Johnson, Sam Rice...they deserve some team recognition SOMEWHERE, and it shouldn't be the Nationals.

Phungo Note - Last year we found out from our friends at Texas Rangers Cards that the Rangers own the rights to the Senators Name, Colors, and Brand. This surely impacts the ability to market the connection in the Twin Cities.

What is the best dish featuring Rhubarb?

Oh my gosh, they're ALL good. I love a good rhubarb crisp, but I've had delicious rhubarb ice cream, Amish rhubarb/cherry jam...mmm, rhubarb! Now you have me really looking forward to the trip nort' this summer to the "hometown" county fair.

Phungo Box Score
4 out of 5 - I have actually had an aversion to Rhubarb since I was a kid - my father was a big fan and I never got the attractions. As an adult - I have had a few things and while my tastes have developed, Rhubarb has not become a favorite.

I may also be a bit upset at press time, as I attended yesterday game where the Twins came from 5 runs down in the 9th to beat the Phils. I know it's a knee-jerk reaction, but it's my blog my rules - 4 out of 5.

Game Photos

I was at the first two games of the Phils Twins series - The Slowey Photo above is from the Saturday Fox game - if you watched the game you likely saw Team Phungo in the stands. we pretty much sat directly opposite the camera that ISO'd Left-handed hitters.


2010 06 19 Jim Thome - Click to enlarge

This is Thome's Pinch Hit appearance - moments after a I took this picture Thome would send an absolute rocket into center field.

2010 06 18 Ryan Howard - Click to Enlarge

And this is the Big Man who replaced Mr Thome at first base for the Phillies. This is a BP shot from prior to Friday night's game when Howard had one of the best offensive nights I have ever witnessed (4-4, 2 HR, 3bh, 2bh, 3 RBI, 3 Runs )

Bonus Coverage

For even more coverage of the Twins @ Phils check out this post from Sport Card Info.


Looking Back

For a previous Phungo 5, click here to read our interview with Padrographs.


for a bll

Game Dated Cards

This is an index of a cards that are tied to specific dates. 

Lines on beige background are games that were attended by Team Phungo (typically but not always Phillies Games). I have tried to tag these with three asterisks at the end (***)

Lines on pink background are Phillies related games that were not attended by team Phungo.

 

DayF Sketch Card Original Brad Lidge 1/1

2025 0626 Rangers 5 @ Brewers 6: 2025 Topps #376 Jackson Chourio (2025 Topps Holiday #H182, 2024 ToppsNow #349)
2023 1012 Braves 1 @ Phillies 3: 2024 Topps Stadium Club #219 Nick Castellanos (no column, Blue Sky post)

2023 0622 Braves 5 @ Phillies 1: 2024 Topps #463 Aaron Nola (no column, Getty Link)
2023 0928 Red Sox 2 @ Orioles 0: 2024 Topps 1989 retro #89B2-10 Gunnar Henderson

2018 0622 Djamondbacks 2 @ Pirates 1: 2018 ToppsNow #355 Nova/Corbin (SABR game)*** 
2018 0530 Astros 3 @ Yankees 5: 2018 Topps #US79 Altuve/Judge Dichotomy

2018 0429 Braves 10 @ Phillies 1: 2019 Topps #1 Ronald Acuna Jr (RoY/ASR)
2017 0630 Phillies 1 @ Mets 2: 2017 ToppsNow #311 Jacob deGrom***
2016 0907 Blue Jays 0 @ Yankees 2: 2017 Topps #286 Aaron Judge (rc)
2016 0816 Dodgers @ Phillies 2016 ToppsNow #362 Chase Utley Returns ***
2016 0807 2016 Topps OD #SD-1 Ichiro (3000 Hits)

2016 Topps S1 - Game Dates w/ related links for 2016 Phillies Checker  

2015 0822 2016 Topps #68 Odubel Herrera 
2015 0721 Rays @ Phillies 2016 Topps #133 Aaron Nola (rc) MLB Debut ***

2015 0624 2016 Topps #237 Carlos Ruiz

2015 0609 2016 Topps Perspectives #P-20 Ryan Howard

2014 0822 White Sox @ Yankees 2015 Topps #302 Martin Prado (Gatorade Variation) ***  
2013 0923 Rays @ Orioles: 2013 Topps Chase It Down #CD5 Adam Jones ***
2013 0515 Indians @ Phillies: 2014 Topps Chrome #174 Chase Utley (Black Parallel) ***
2013 0901 Royals @ Blue Jays 2014 Topps #273 Mark DeRosa (Confiscated Football)
2010 1006 Reds @ Phillies: 2011 Topps #359 Roy Halladay Postseason No-Hitter ***

2010 0908 Marlins @ Phillies: 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter BHS Ryan Howard HR #250

2009 1102 Yankees @ Phillies: Chase Utley hits 2 of his 5 World Series Home Runs *** 
2009 1102 Yankees @ Phillies: 2010 Topps Heritage #310 Utley Ties Reggie, 10th Anniversary ***
2009 0906 Giants 1 @ Brewers 2: Prince Fielder Bowling Walk-Off (#1 Club)
2009 0321 WBC South Korea vs Venezuela (Shin-Soo Choo Homer / 2018 Winter Olumpics)
2009 0309 WBC  Netherlands 2 Dominican 1 
2008 1029 Rays @ Phillies: DayF Sketch Card Original Brad Lidge 1/1 (featued above) ***
2008 1029 Index to postings related to the 2008 World Series Clincher
2008 1025 Rays @ Phillies: Jamie Moyer World Series Start
2008 1005 2009 UD PoH #BSM-PB Pat Burrell 2 HRs NLDS clincher
2008 0907 Phillies @ Mets 2008 UD Documentary (Joe Blanton reps a game in which he never played) ***
2008 0620 Angels @ Phillies: 2008 UD Documentary (Pat Burrell Hat Trick 3Ks) ***

2008 0605 Reds @ Phillies 2009 Topps #200 Chase Utley (only game in series Phillies wearing Cream)

- NO ARTICLE YET

2008 0605 Reds @ Phillies 2008 Stadium Club #112 Joey Votto (only game in series Phillies wearing Cream) - NO ARTICLE YET
2007 0710 2007 Topps #UH279 Ichiro and Utley (ASG Inside the Park HR) 
2007 0425 2008 UD Masterpieces #69 Chase Utley (5 Hit Game) 
2006 0817 2017 Topps Baseball Card Day Phillies WoF #16 Mike Lieberthal
2006 0620 Yankees @ Phillies: 2015 Topps #TMB-6 Tape Measure Ryan Howard ***
2006 0505 Giants @ Phillies:  2007 Topps Finest ***
2005 0711 ASG HR Derby Detroit Bobby Abreu wins with 41 dingers
2005 0711 ASG HR Derby Detroit (Hee-Seop Choi / 2018 Winter Olympics)
2005 0404 Nationals @ Phillies 2005 Topps Nationals Inaugural Lineup #NI-TEAM ***
2004 0614 Reds @ Phillies 2005 SubIndex of posts related to Jim Thome HR #400***
2004 0608 D-Backs @ Orioles: 2005 #47 Bazooka Randy Johnson ***
2003 0427 Giants @ Phillies: 2013 Gypsy Queen #NH-KM Kevin Millwood No-Hitter
2002 0727 Phillies 3 @ Braves 5: John Smoltz Thowback
2002 0523 2003 Topps #333 HL Shawn Green (4 HR 6 Hit Game) 
2002 0405 2002 Fleer Authentix #86 (Home Opener, Rolen reaches 5 times) ***
2002 0405 2002 Fleer Authentix #56 (Home Opener Bobby Abreu 4-4 3 RBI) ***
2000 0619 2001 Stadium Club Pat Burrell 

1998 0928 Tigers @ Blue Jays: 1999 Bowman Best #136 Roy Halladay Second career start, No-Hitter through 8.2 innings
1998 0630 Phillies @ Yankees: 2008 UD Yankee Stadium Legacy YSL #5835 Tino Martinez ***
1998 0623 1999 Fleer #95 Jim Thome (HOF Tribute by Once a Cub )
1997 0531 1998 UD/2015 Topps Andres Galarraga Tape Measure Home Run
1997 0521 1998 Topps Stadium Club #4 Vladimir Guerrero (SF score from 2B) 
1996 0709 1996 ASG AL 0 @ NL 6 Game Ticket (index to related postings) ***
1993 0603 1994 Topps #180 George Brett 
1993 0409 Opening Day Game Ticket Darren Daulton (25th Anniversary)  

1992 0621 1993 Score #415/1993 Topps #262 Mickey Morandini

1979 0612 1980 Topps #709 Alan Trammell Steals Home in a game managed by Dick Tracewski
1977 1018 1978 Topps #7 RB Reggie Jackson 5 HR/Keith Jackson Memorial (2018)

1977 0721 1978 Topps #52 Jim Lonborg 

1976 0925 1978 Topps #52 Jim Lonborg (b-side / Phillies clinch NL East) 
1974 0717 1975 Topps #3 Bob Gibson (3000 Ks)
1971 0810 2015 Topps #H-74 Harmon Killebrew (500 HRs) 
1970 1001 1972 Topps #423 Oscar Gamble (Memorial)

1965 0409 2014T Heritage Flashbacks #BF-A Astrodome Opens
1964 1014 1965 Topps #137 Jim Bouton Wins Again (1964 WS G6) 

1959 1001 1960 Topps #385 Charlie Neal (First Topps World Series Card)
1959 0610 1964 Topps #109 Rusty Staub (Rocky Colavito Trivia) 
1959 0610 1964 Topps Jumbo #9 Rocky's Hot Bat
1956 1008 1961 Topps #402 Don Larsen Memorial / Perfect Game
1956 1008 1961 NU Cards Baseball Scoops #418 Don Larsen Perfect Game
1955 0829 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson #30 2016 Topps Berger's Best #BB-5 

1946 0714 1961 Fleer #28 Ted Williams Shift implemented by Leo Durocher
1936 0624 2012 Topps #GG-22 Joe DiMaggio (2 HR Inning)

Other Game Dated Series
Subset Index - This is a group of Indices for Subsets, several of which have Game Dated Cards (Record Breakers, No-Hitters, Postseason Games etc)


Blog Bat Around Compilation (posted 2008) ***

Want List - Phillies
2014 Gypsy Queen Mini #255b Utley Fielding Variation - matches 2014 Topps Chrome #174

2010 Topps Heritage #310 Utley Ties Reggie

2010 Topps #372 Phillies Franchise History  
2009 Topps Heritage #390 BJ Upton (2008 10 29)
2009 Topps Heritage #391 Brad Lidge (2008 10 29)

2007 Topps Finest Ryan Howard Home Runs
#RH-HR17 2006 0528
#RH-HR25 2006 0620

Ryan Howard 2007 Topps Generation Now #9,24,53
Chase Utley 2007 Topps Generation Now #6? From game played 2006 0629
2004 Topps #695 Thome/Schmidt

Cole Hamels 2007 UD Series 1 #395
Cole Hamels 2007 UD First Pitch #256
Gavin Floyd 2005 UD First Pitch #FP-8

2003 Topps T205 TF20 Abreu Konerko Pick Off (2002 06 20??)
Brandon Duckworth 2002 UD Vintage #239
2005 UD Classic Moments – Len Dykstra #LD

Thome 2004 Fleer Ticket Studs #7

Randy Wolf 2004 SP Authentic Game Dated 2003-0814 Randy Wolf 2004 SP Authentic Game Dated 2003-05-15

Non-Phils Want List
2016 Topps Perspectives #P-4 Bryce Harper

2004 Jun 14: Jim Thome 400th Career Home Run index

This is an index of postings related to the June 14 2004 game in which Jim Thome hit his 400th Home Run


Game Ticket June 14 2004 Reds @ Phillies

2005 Topps #25 (Wall of Fame Inductions / 400 Home Runs) 
2005 Sykbox #43 (Hall of Fame Election Results

Other Milestone Home Runs
2008 UD X Xponential #X2-JT (500th HR 2007 09 16)

Other Sources and Links
Jim Thome Index
Game Dated Cards Index

Player Collection Index: Jim Thome

This is an Index of our postings related to Jim Thome

2004 Topps Heritage #1b Jim Thome (SP - Batting)

2003 Donruss Studio #165 (Wall of Fame Induction) 

2004 Topps #1 (2018 HOF Candidate)

2004 Heritage #1b

 

2005 06 14 - Index to Posts related to Career HR #400

 

2008 UD X Xponential #X2-JT (500th HR 2007 09 16)  

2008 SP Authentic

2009 Heritage Hi Number

2011 Phungo Cards

2011 Topps Heritage New Age Performers #NAP-2 (2011 Heritage Hobby Box Break)

2012 Topps Heritage #296 (1963 Topps: 2012 Topps Value Box Break)

Pull of the Month - May 2010

The Pull of the Month comes from one of several bargain packs that I picked up at the big K a few weeks back. This was one of two insert cards to come out of a .99 cent pack of 08 UD X.



2008 UD X Xponential 2 #X2-JT

The X2 cards have a UDs version of a chromey finish and are pretty sharp looking - the Chisox black and white particular fits the card type. The back of the card commemorates Thome's 500th homer on 9./16/07. I was present for His 400th homer when he played for the Phils.

Thome was always a class act in dealing with difficult situations in Philadelphia and I hope his career can end on an up note.


Contenders


2008 UD Baseball Heroes Copper #10 Brian McCann (#d100/149)
2009 UD 20th Anniversary #638 Steve Carlton

Two more cards out of the same lot of bargain packs mentioned above. Check out the that shirt on Lefty.

Meh of the Month


Garbage from 2008 Topps U&H. I bumped the scanner while running this card through. but liked the image - it only emphasizes the stupidity of placing the TOPPS logo in the top center of the photo. He we have the major leagues tallest pitcher being squashed by the branding mechanism. ugh.


Past Pulls of the Month

2010 April
2010 March

2010 February

2010 January

Other Sources and LinksJim Thome Index
Game Dated Cards Index

2009 UD Goodwin Champions Bargain Blaster

On a recent trip to Target I found a bargain blaster of 2009 UD Goodwin Champions. The blaster was half price ($10.59 w/ tax). I hadn't opened many if any packs of Goodwin last year so I figured I'd give it a shot.

This blaster contains 12 packs of 4 cards each. The Base Set consists 150 cards followed by 40 short prints and then 20 super short prints - and then another set of mini-exclusive cards - I don't know you figure that one out. There are a number of parallels including a set of minis that fall about 1/pack.

The Goodwin set was probably developed to compete w/ Topps Allen & Ginter - and it shows. Lets take a look -

Phillies



Howard - Roberts - Lefty - Nice Selection there - 2 World Champions. 2 Hall of Famers. Good Lookin Cards. All of the Current Phils cards have the World Series Banner which is a nice touch. Some of the cards have a "special" team logo - note the Liberty Bell on the Robin Roberts mini.


HOFs & Minis
The Minis are Tex, CC, Junior, Phil Niekro, and Stinkin Jonathan Toews of the stupid Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The HOFs Gwynn, Ripken, Ozzie, Teddy Ballgame, and Paul Molitor.

The Niekro photo is a familiar shot that we have seen in UDs other retro product, Goudey - That image was already borrowed from Fleer I think. UD was already mailing it in a year ago.

Griffey is card #1, which is only fitting as he returned to Seattle - the team for which Griffey was on the original UD #1 card back in 1989. As it turned out Goodwin Champions was one of UDs last Baseball products.
One More Mini


A Nice Black Bordered Mini of Yogi Berra. I am assuming that the special back minis have the black borders. This is a pretty sharp looking card of an Iconic player.


Plebians
MJ, Bobby Orr, Peggy Fleming, Dave Scott

Like Allen & Ginter GWChamps contains other Notables who were not blessed with the abilities to play the great game of baseball.

Dave Scott is the original Triathlete or something like that - this card is a Short Print, the picture is different then all the rest of the cards. The cards all have a criss-cross pattern to their Backgrounds. For whatever reason the Scott card is all the painting - or photoshop of the painting anyway. Peggy Fleming looks really evil in this picture.

Base Cards

I decided to show off the base cards by constructing an All-Star team from the blaster.

Battery

McCann, Liriano, Lincecum, Thome

Two of these guys are already in the playoffs, and the other two could also get in. Notice that the McCann card is one of the ones carrying a special logo. I stuck Thome in with the Pitchers and Catchers because it was where I had space to put a DH.

Infield

Pedroia, Jeter, Bill Hall, Morneau

Ok Bill Hall is not an All-Star, but he is a short print so he got the nod as the Blaster 3rd baseman. Both Morneau and Pedroia have won MVP awards, Jeter has not.


Outfield


Manny, Josh Hamilton, Johnny Damon, Ichiro

The Manny Card is pretty cool looking - You can see the storm clouds coming in on the edge of ending his Sunny LA Days. The Ichiro card is also a winner. I am pretty sure that the Hamilton card is straight out of Goudey.

Etc
Card back of Steve Carlton - one issue with GWChamps is the font on the back. It is plain goofy looking. the lower case T's are particularly odd. I do like that UD did go to the trouble of creating a back for these cards. Every other UD product has identical backs - this reduces the personality of a set. The Phils logo here is from the 70s era Phils teams for which Carlton played.

I paired the B-Side here with a 20th anniversary card - if you pick up an UD blaster from 2009 you are bound to find a few of these. This card the Red Wings winning the 2007-08 Stanley Cup. The photo'd player is Henrik Zetterberg I think.

Mojo


Chipper Relic- mojo. Not sure what the M stands for my guess is Memorabilia or Mojo.

Overall I enjoyed the blaster. The half price is key. 4 card packs always seem weak to me. but opening 12 of them with a good mix of oddballs and minis added to the fun. Unfortunately the box was marred by the fact that maybe half of the cards had a dinged upper left corner. Regardless it was still fun to open.

I picked up 36 cards from the 150 card base set (24%). The 7 minis were all unique vs the base cards giving me 43 of 150 (27% of a whacky FrankenSet). So I could consider building a set relatively cheaply.

The 5 cards of 48 from the 12 packs of 4 are - 1&2) the 2 short prints, 3) the Chipper Relic, 4) the 20th aniv card, and 5) 1 card forfeited from the Chipper pack.

I doubt I will go to the trouble of building the set. I will more likely keep about half for various collecting projects - Phils collection, Hall of Famers, Player Collections (Thome n Damon), minis, My WBC collection (Ichiro), and My Plebes Collection.