Series Preview - Phillies at Padres: August 5th to August 7th

Friday 10:40, Saturday 8:40 and Sunday 4:40
Petco Park - San Diego, CA

Phillies 50-60, 4th place in the N.L. East, 15 games behind the Nationals
Padres 47-61, 4th place in the N.L. West, 15 games behind the Nationals

Phillies Probables:  Jeremy Hellickson (8-7, 3.70), Jake Thompson (0-0, 0.00), Jared Eickhoff (6-12, 3.68)
Padres Probables:  Christian Friedrich (4-6, 4.72), Paul Clemens (0-2, 3.46), Jarred Cosart (0-1, 5.09)

At the Ballpark:  Tomorrow night, all fans will receive a Padres throwback replica jersey from the 1990s and Sunday is U.S. Navy Appreciation Day.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .294
Runs:  Odubel Herrera - 59
Home Runs:  Maikel Franco - 20
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 66
Stolen Bases:  Odubel Herrera - 16

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson and Vince Velasquez - 8
ERA:  Jared Eickhoff - 3.68
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 121
Saves:  Jeanmar Gomez - 27

Padres Leaders
Average:  Wil Myers - .275
Runs:  Wil Myers - 70
Home Runs:  Matt Kemp - 23
RBIs:  Matt Kemp - 69
Stolen Bases:  Travis Jankowski - 23

Wins:  Drew Pomeranz - 8
ERA:  N/A
Strikeouts:  Drew Pomeranz - 115
Saves:  Fernando Rodney - 17

1970 Topps #284

1970 Topps #44

1970 Topps Appreciation:  Pitcher Jack Baldschun and infielder Roberto Pena were teammates on the 1969 expansion Padres team, and both also played for the Phillies.

Baldschun began his nine-year career by pitching in parts of five seasons for the Phils between 1961 and 1965.  Used strictly as a relief pitcher, Baldschun led the team in saves in 1962 (13), 1963 (16) and 1964 (21).  He shared closer duties with Gary Wagner in 1965 before the Phillies traded him to the Orioles for Jackie Brandt and Darold Knowles that December.  Picked up by the Padres after two seasons with the Reds, Baldschun was second only to Frank Reberger with relief appearances with 61 to Reberger's 67.  He appeared in 12 games for the 1970 Padres before being released in early April.

The starting shortstop for the Phillies in 1968, Pena was left unprotected by the club and chosen by the Padres in the expansion draft.  He hit a respectable .260 in 138 games for the 1968 Phillies.  Pena is a member of the "Missing Links" club for the Phillies in the 1960s as he never appeared on a Phillies baseball card.

1968 Topps #PR1 Roberto Pena

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a colorization app for my iMac?

Don’t tell Jim from Downingtown this, but I’m finally ready to tackle his request for a 1968 Topps Roberto Pena Phillies card, and I was hoping to have this little project completed in time for Christmas.   (Jim e-mailed his request to me way back in June after he had sent along a few 1968 Topps Game cards.)  The big stumbling block however, is that the only image of Señor Pena in his Phillies uniform that I can find is this fine black and white specimen.  If I had the time (and the patience) I’d love to learn how to do this like the professionals do (see here) and colorize Roberto in Photoshop.  However, I have neither the time, the patience and most likely the skill to conquer Photoshop.  So in lieu of that, I’m looking for a quick and easy fix.  I have the 1968 Topps burlap template all ready to go.

Alternatively, if there are any kind souls out there with mad colorization skills, please feel free to have at it and add some color to Roberto's stern visage.  I'll be sure to send you a copy of the finished product once it's ready to go.

(Seriously, don’t ruin the surprise for Jim from Downingtown.)