The Best Moments of the Phillies’ Recent Postseasons

Bryson Stott’s Wild Card Grand Slam

The Phillies took the top wild card spot in the National League in 2023, earning them a best-of-three series. Their opponent was the surprising Miami Marlins, who rode an 84-78 record to the fifth seed. They had a dominant rotation that ranked seventh in baseball in fWAR (12.2). Their lineup was headlined by Silver Slugger winner Luis Arraez, himself a future Phillie, and All-Star DH Jorge Soler. 

But Miami went out quietly in Game 1, as Zack Wheeler let up just one run over 6.2 innings. Jesus Luzardo, who, like Arraez, went on to be a Phillie, allowed three runs in four innings. Behind Wheeler, Jose Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman, and Craig Kimbrel held the Marlins at bay, as the Phillies won 4-1.

The Marlins quickly fell behind again in Game 2. Braxton Garrett allowed two runs in the third. Veteran David Robertson came in to start the fourth and allowed a leadoff homer to J.T. Realmuto. Things quieted down as Robertson settled in, finished the inning, and threw a scoreless fifth. He got the ball again to start the sixth but was pulled after a leadoff double to Alec Bohm.

Left-hander Andrew Nardi came in, who owned a 2.63 ERA over 63 games. But Nardi found himself in quick trouble, allowing two runners to reach base.

Bryson Stott came up, and fans sang out his walkup song, “A-OK” by Tai Verdes. Seconds later, he sent a first-pitch fastball out to right field for a grand slam. The Marlins mustered only one run in the ninth, leading to a 7-1 win and series victory.

The clip of Stott’s at-bat, featuring the fans singing along and his grand slam, was posted without commentary. People across the internet soaked in the moment with the raw crowd noise, and it quickly went viral.

Rhys Hoskins‘ Bat Spike

Rhys Hoskins was a fixture in the Phillies lineup, joining the team after his call-up in August 2017. But early in the 2022 Postseason, he struggled to make an impact. Hoskins went 0-9 in the Wild Card series, and in Game 2 of the NLDS, a costly misplay at first let a run score. It ultimately led to an Atlanta Braves comeback victory, and Hoskins heard it from fans before Game 3 in Philadelphia.

But the Phillies got their redemption during that game, and Rhys Hoskins put an exclamation mark on it. The Phillies faced Spencer Strider, who was returning from an oblique injury.

After throwing two scoreless innings to start, Strider ran into trouble in the third. A leadoff walk, a throwing error, and a double let the Phillies take the lead. After the Phillies intentionally walked Kyle Schwarber, Hoskins stepped up to the plate.

On Strider’s first pitch, Hoskins drilled a towering three-run home run, extending the Phillies’ lead to four runs. Following the hit, Hoskins spiked his bat into the ground, creating one of the most memorable pictures of the 2022 season. Two batters later, now facing Braves’ lefty Dylan Lee, Bryce Harper hit a long two-run home run to right field. The Phillies would cruise to victory, winning 9-1. 

Hoskins was part of the back end of the Phillies’ rebuilding years. Like many of his teammates, 2022 represented his first time in the playoffs. Their appearance had snapped an 11-year drought that began after 2011. NLDS Game 3 represented their first postseason game at home since then. As one of the team’s longest-tenured members, Hoskins made sense as the one to get his signature highlight.

“The Swing of His Life”

It’s perhaps the best-known moment of this run, and the one Phillies fans remember most.

Heading into Game 5 of the 2022 NLCS, the energy at Citizens Bank Park was high. Needing one more win to advance to their first World Series since 2009, the Phillies led 2-1 over the San Diego Padres entering the seventh inning. Seranthony Dominguez entered to try to hold the lead, but erratic control allowed two runs to score.

With a 3-2 lead, the Padres brought in shutdown reliever Robert Suarez with an out in the seventh. He finished off the inning, and then returned to the mound in the eighth. While the Padres had Josh Hader in the bullpen, he ultimately never came into the game.

After a leadoff single by J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper worked a solid at-bat against Suarez. On the seventh pitch, Harper hit an opposite-field, two-run home run, giving the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Dubbed “the swing of his life” by Joe Davis, those five words are all it takes for fans to recognize this moment instantly.

In the ninth, David Robertson let two of the first three batters he faced reach base via walks. The Phillies, taking no chances, called upon Ranger Suarez to try and finish the game. Two pitches later, Suarez sent the Phillies to the 2022 World Series.