2021 Phillies Alumni Weekend

Hi everybody,

It was Alumni Weekend down at the ballpark this past weekend and the Phillies had three separate events to honors members of the organization.

On Friday night former Phillies President the late David Montgomery was recognized after he was posthumously awarded the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Ceremonies last month.

On Saturday night former second baseman Manny Trillo was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame.  The member of the 1980 World Champions was supposed to be inducted last year but Alumni Weekend was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

On Sunday afternoon former pitcher, Wall of Fame and Hall of Fame member the late Roy Halladay had his number retired by the Phillies in a ceremony where his former teammate Raul Ibanez spoke.  A Number 34 Monument was also unveiled on the Third Base Plaza by Doc's former catcher Carlos Ruiz.

I tip my cap and raise my glass to all the Phillies legends.

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Former Phillies Great Dick Allen Has Passed Away

Hi everybody,

Sad Phillies new to report.  Former Phillies great Dick Allen passed away earlier today.  Allen played with the Phillies for nine seasons (1963-1969, 1975-1976), is a Phillies Wall of Famer and had his number 15 retired by the Phils earlier this year (Dick Allen's Number 15 To Be Retired By Phillies).  He is also up for consideration for enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Mr. Allen.

Talk to you soon,

Little Chase

Dick Allen's Number 15 To Be Retired By Phillies

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced earlier today that they plan to retire Dick Allen's Number 15 in a ceremony on September 3rd...which is the anniversary of his major league debut in 1963.  Allen, who played nine seasons with the Phils, may also be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame later this season.  This is the first time that the Phils have retired a players number who has not yet been enshrined into the Hall of Fame.  Congrats to Mr. Allen for this honor.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay's Number 34 To Be Retired By Phillies

Hi everybody,

The Phillies are going to retire the late Roy Halladay's Number 34 in a pregame ceremony on Friday, May 29, 2020.  This special event for the MLB Hall of Fame and Phillies Wall of Fame legend (officially named Roy Halladay Number Retirement Night) is taking place on the 10th anniversary of Doc pitching his Perfect Game against the Miami Marlins.

Halladay celebrating the Perfect Game with Chooch and Ryan Howard...

Miss you Doc...

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay Inducted Into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies starting pitcher and Wall of Famer the late Roy Halladay for his official induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Halladay was inducted on Sunday (July 21th) during a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Halladay's widow Brandy gave an emotional induction speech honoring Halladay (Halliday Induction Speech). Congrats, Doc!  Wish you were here to have been a part of it!

Brandy Halladay Accepting HoF Award For Doc

Halladay Hall of Fame Plaque

R.I.P. Doc

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halliday Selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2019)

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies starting pitcher the late Roy Halliday for his recent selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2019).  Halliday played with the Phils for the final four seasons of his career (2010-2013)...where he pitched both a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter during the 2010 season.  Halliday was also added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2018.  Congrats again to Doc and his family!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Inducted Into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies first baseman and Wall of Famer Jim Thome for his official induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Thome was inducted yesterday (July 29th) during a ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Congrats, Jim Thome!

2018 Wall of Fame Class

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Announces His Retirement

Hi everybody,

It has been a sad few days here on the blog.  Former Phils second baseman (and my hero) Chase Utley announced his retirement from major league baseball at the end of the 2018 Season.  Chase made the announcement on Friday (July 13th) in Los Angeles and stated his reason for retiring was become a full-time Dad.

Chase has played for the Dodgers for the last 3.5 years after starting his career with the Phillies in 2003.  Chase will make his final regular season appearance in Citizens Bank Park when the Dodgers visit at the end of July...so the fans will get a chance to say goodbye.

As for the future...I hope Chase signs a one-day contract next season to officially retire as a Phillie.  I expect a Wall of Fame Induction a few seasons after then and then hopefully a Hall of Fame Induction.

Chase will always be my favorite baseball player.  This blog wouldn't exist without him.  I will miss seeing him play but look forward to him coming home to the Phillies!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Honored by Phillies for Hall of Fame Induction

Hi everybody,

The Phillies honored former first baseman and Wall of Famer Jim Thome for his Hall of Fame induction on July 29th before the start of yesterday's (June 14th) game against the Colorado Rockies.  Thome said a few words to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch.  He also got to shoot the hot dog cannon with the Phillie Phanatic during the game.

!st Pitch

This picture wasn't from yesterday but wanted to show Thome firing the cannon

Thome has always been one of my favorite Phillies and I am very happy for his well deserved Hall of Fame induction.  Congrats, Big Jim!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay and Pat Gillick Selected as 2018 Phillies Wall of Fame Inductees

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced on Tuesday (February 27th) that former starting pitcher Roy Halladay (who passed away last November) and former Phils GM and President Pat Gillick have been selected as the 2018 inductees to the Phillies Wall of Fame.  The ceremony will occur on Friday, August 4th before the game against the Miami Marlins.  The Phils also announced that a flag bearing Halladay's Number 34 will fly at Citizens Bank Park for the entire 2018 Season.

Halladay pitched for the Phillies from 2010-2013 and had great success with the team.  Doc was the 2010 NL Cy Young award winner and pitched two no-hitters during the 2010 Season.  The first no-hitter was a perfect game against the Marlins and the second no-hitter occurred in the NLDS playoff series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Roy Halladay

Gillick was the Phils GM during the World Series winning 2008 season and many off his moves were instrumental to the success of the Phillies during the 2007-2011 run.  Gillick was also elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Pat Gillick

I just wanted to congratulate both men for this honor.  I just wish that Doc would have been around to be a part of it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Jim Thome Selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate former Phillies First Baseman Jim Thome for his recent selection to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2018).  Thome played with the Phils from 2003-2005 and again for one half season in 2012.  Thome was also added to the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2016.  Congrats again, Big Jim!!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Phillies Hall and Wall of Famer Jim Bunning Has Passed Away

Hi everybody,

I apologize for not posting this sooner.  Former Phils starting pitcher Jim Bunning passed away on Friday, May 26th.  Bunning pitched for the Phillies from 1964-1967 and again from 1970-1971.  Bunning also played for the Detroit Tigers (1955-1963), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1968-1969) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1969).

Bunning is the first player to pitch a no-hitter in both the American and National Leagues.  His no-hitter as a Phillie was a perfect-game on June 21, 1964.

Throwing out the first pitch before a game

Bunning has been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1996), the Phillies Wall of Fame (1984) and is one of only five players to have his number (14) retired by the Phillies (2001).

Bunning at Wall of Fame ceremony

After his baseball career ended, Bunning served first in Congressman and then as a Senator from Kentucky.  Rest in peace, Senator Bunning.

Moment of silence before the game on May 27th

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase