2013 Topps Archives #54 Cliff Lee

Phillies 4, Nationals 2
Game 72 - Tuesday Night, June 18th in Philadelphia
Record - 35-37, Tied for 2nd Place, 7 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Cliff Lee turned in another outstanding pitching performance as the Phillies defeated the Nationals, 4-2.

What It Means:  It means the Phils have a modest little two-game win streak going and they'll go for the series sweep tonight.  The win also moved the club into a tie for second place with the Nationals.

What Went Right:  Lee, now 9-2, limited the Nationals to two runs on five hits over eight innings, and Jonathan Papelbon shut the door in the ninth for his 14th save.

Michael Young had three doubles and an RBI, while Kevin Frandsen had a two-run single in the sixth.

2013 Topps Heritage Real
Ones Autographs #ROA-PB

Featured Cards:  I finally get to feature Lee's 1982 Topps-style card from the recently released Topps Archives set.  My son Doug and I have decided to collect this set, and I should have a want list up soon.

On a personal note, my sister and brother-in-law welcomed their second daughter, Julie, into the world yesterday afternoon.  The Phillies were kind enough to deliver a win on Julie's birthday and it's only a matter of time before she's attending her first game.

According to Baseball Reference, four former Phillies share Julie's June 18th birthday - Dave Leiper (1996), Paul Brown (1961-1963, 1968), Taylor Phillips (1959-1960) and of course, Charlie Ganzel (1885-1886).  My Ganzel collection is a little light these days, so in honor of Julie's birth, here's an autographed card of former Phillies pitcher Paul Brown from this year's Topps Heritage set.

I wonder if Julie will collect baseball cards?

1964 Topps #319 Paul Brown

Recent purchase from Pitchout Baseball Cards in Avalon, NJ

I guess there's a reason my Dad had never heard of Paul Brown. Paul pitched in four seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Phillies. From 1961 to 1963, Paul had a record of 0-8 in 34 games. He didn't pitch with the Phils again until 1968, when he participated in just two more games before calling it a career.

This seems like a situation where injuries derailed a promising career, but I couldn't find any additional information out on the interwebs.