In the midst of the gloom of the Phillies limping out of the playoffs in a first round series loss to the Mets in the NLDS, here's a happy interaction from earlier this season. The picture shows a golden moment from June of this year, when Philadelphia Phillie fan-favorite Rhys Hoskins made his inaugural return to Citizens Bank Park in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. Of course, it was an emotional return for both the fans and for Rhys, the former Phillies first baseman who was traded earlier to make room for superstar Bryce Harper, who took over at first base upon returning from an injury. Hoskins was out with his own injury at the time.
A bit of humor amidst the nostalgic return happened when Rhys was walked by Phillies Ace Zack Wheeler. Then Hoskins did something no one expected— including his own dugout: he stole second base. “He’s not really a runner,” Zack Wheeler joked about his former teammate. “I wasn’t changing up my looks at all… He got an easy bag right there.”
When asked later if he thought he surprised J.T. Realmuto, the catcher with the best POP time in the sport, Hoskins quipped that he hoped he did. “(Realmuto and I) will always be able to go back and forth about that,” he said with an easy grin.
J.T. got the last laugh though, because seconds later, Hoskins tried to score from second on a single to center. It was a great throw from Johan Rojas in the outfield, and Realmuto was able to apply the tag, nailing Hoskins at the plate, and in turn have some good natured, butt-slapping in the process.
How can you not be romantic about baseball? The smiles say it all!
(paraphrased from the article by Anthony SanFillippo for USA Today Sports at https://www.crossingbroad.com/2024/06)
© Ray Cattie
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