A look back at five of the best moments from Rhys Hoskins’ career as Phillie originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
We’re 60 games into the 2024 MLB season and it still seems strange to think that Rhys Hoskins is no longer a Phillie.
Of course, it’s the business side of it all. It’s part of the game. That doesn’t make it any easier.
This past offseason, Hoskins signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent, ending his six years in Philadelphia.
Hoskins provided shining moments during some very long (and terrible) seasons at Citizens Bank Park. Fans fell in love with his drive, work ethic, involvement in the city and how he fully embraced what it meant to be a Phillie. It just fell into place.
Bryce Harper became the club’s all-time leader when he signed in 2019 – but Hoskins remained the heart and soul through it all.
It will be strange to see Hoskins representing a different uniform this week at Citizens Bank Park, so before that happens, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
5. The first
Let’s take things back to the beginning. An exciting young prospect is called up to join the Show in early August 2017.
After five games, Hoskins had the moment you dreamed of as a kid – his first MLB home run. With his family in attendance during the first away game of his professional career, Hoskins went to the backyard not once, but twice.
He was greeted by a relaxed dugout and given air-fives before his teammates began to celebrate.
Hoskins set a Major League record with 18 home runs in his first 34 career games.
Suddenly the dark days of summer seemed a little less dark.
4. Perfect first pitch
The 2023 season without Hoskins felt… strange. A torn ACL in spring training put him out of commission for the entire season — and also robbed us of a true farewell tour for Hoskins, who was in the final year of his contract.
So it’s safe to say the Phillies knew exactly what they were doing in the opening game of the wild card series against the Marlins.
They brought it out Rhys will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
If you ever had any doubts about the mutual love between Phillies and Hoskins fans, this moment put them to rest. No. 17 meant a lot to the city and was captured here beautifully.
He greeted the crowd in every way he could — tip of his cap, opening the rally towel, pointing to the Phillies logo on his jersey — and it’s clear he soaked up every minute of it. So do we.
3. Finally, a Red October
An 11-year playoff drought came to an end at the end of September 2022 – a moment long awaited by the team and the city.
They finally got over the hump… and Hoskins finally got the chance to experience a Red October.
Before the Phillies shocked the Cardinals in the wild card, before they stunned the league by knocking out the Braves, and before they surpassed the Padres for a National League Pennant and World Series appearance… there was only relief and excitement.
Especially for Hoskins.
After the victory over the Astros that secured their ticket to the postseason, Hoskins became emotional during an interview as he described what it meant to him.
“That’s why we play,” Hoskins said. “That’s why we play. A lot of blood, a lot of sweat, a lot of tears. It’s a great group, it’s a great group. I’m very excited, I don’t even know what to say.
“What a group of guys. What a group of coaches. All the staff, the whole traveling group, all the media guys, it’s a group effort. Without anyone here right now, we’re not here. So, it’s a beautiful thing.”
2. The HR prank call to end all prank calls
It doesn’t matter what time of the season it is or what either team looks like at the moment – you always know a series between the Phillies and Mets is going to be a good one. And this particular one, in early spring 2019, had its fair share of chaos. In the middle of Citi Field, Hoskins was hit twice by relief pitcher Jacob Rhame. Intentionally or not, you can feel Hoskins’ level of frustration. With reason. Ultimately, it was a game the Phillies would like to forget, being eliminated in a 9-0 loss.
Well, they turned the tables quickly and Hoskins certainly had the last laugh. The next night, the Phillies were sitting comfortably with a four-run lead heading into the ninth. After a walk by Bryce Harper, it was once again Hoskins against Rhame. The result was a little different this time.
A late two-run outburst provided a perfect ending to the game as the Phillies avoided the sweep. But the home run itself isn’t the highlight…it’s what came right after.
The home run prank call to end all prank calls.
The trip around the bases lasted an impressive 34.23 seconds (a league record).
But the memory of it will last forever.
1. O bat tip
You had to see this coming, right?
There may be no more iconic moment for Hoskins during his time in Philadelphia. And there was no better time for it either. In his sixth season, the Phillies’ longest-tenured position player at the time finally saw a Red October. In the early parts of the exciting 2022 run, we saw a slumping Hoskins, who struggled in the wild-card series against the Cardinals and the opening doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta.
Everything changed when the series moved to Philadelphia.
It was the first time Phillies fans got to experience playoff baseball at home in 11 seasons. An environment you had to experience to fully understand how electric it was. The Braves had their ace in play in Spencer Strider. Even with the series split 1-1, Atlanta was still the favorite to win the divisional round and advance to the World Series. And, well, we all know that didn’t happen.
Things were quiet until the third inning, but when it finally came to an end, everyone at Citizens Bank Park knew something very special was happening.
Two runners in and out got Hoskins to the plate. A first-pitch, three-run home run followed by a century-high cemented a pivotal moment in Hoskins’ career, fans everywhere and Phillies playoff history.
No one deserved that moment more.
Hoskins and the Brewers will head to Philadelphia on June 3 to open a three-game series. You better believe the Phillies faithful will be there, on their feet, ready to welcome their beloved player back home…even if it’s just for a little while.
