PHILADELPHIA — When the Phillies arrived at Citizens Bank Park for the first time in April, there was new artwork lining the hallway from the clubhouse to the dugout. It was the clearest sign that everything had changed here. There were five photos, four of them in black-and-white, of famous Phillies clinching moments. “MAKE MORE HISTORY,” it said above the photos. John Middleton, the team’s managing partner, had issued a winter mandate. The Phillies needed to upgrade what was there — odes of former greats and a panorama from 2008.“The old stuff they had was, frankly, old,” Middleton said. “Old and tired.”As they celebrated another postseason berth Tuesday night, the Phillies sprinted up the staircase behind the dugout, past the new photos, and they played the hits.Manager Rob Thomson gave a quick speech after a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh in 10 innings. “The last thing,” he said. “J.T., how many more playoff wins?” J.T. Realmuto yelled something that included “13” as everyone sprayed Champagne. Two seconds later, the speakers blasted “Dancing on My Own.” Many of the characters in the middle of the booze-soaked party were the same as last year.
Garrett Stubbs, Bryce Harper and their teammates party after punching their ticket to the playoffs. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)The Phillies started this season talking about how they could not use last year as a crutch. They had to start stronger. (They did not.) They couldn’t use the same playlist as last year because those were “second-place” songs. (They reversed course two months into the season.) They couldn’t assume that last October’s magical run was something they would experience ever again. (It’s not going to feel like that.)Whatever. Why not play the hits?“Absolutely, absolutely,” Bryce Harper said. “You have to. You play for the Phillies, that song’s going to be here.”Away from the pack, Nick Castellanos nursed a Budweiser. He wasn’t shirtless. He surveyed the scene and he smiled.“I don’t know,” Castellanos said. “I don’t mean to sound stuck up, but I don’t feel the need to celebrate as much right now.”It’s hard to fulfill expectations for six months. The Padres and Mets are harsh examples. The Phillies (88-69) have already won more regular-season games than they did in 2022. Castellanos understood how important it was to celebrate the journey. He’d just rather watch this time than participate.“It feels just as good,” Castellanos said. “But we expected to do this as an organization. If we didn’t do this, it’s a monumental disaster. You know? So, we passed high school. Now we get to go play.”
The Phillies pose for a photo after clinching. They will host the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)A few minutes into the rager, Jeff Hoffman excused himself. He walked past the “MAKE MORE HISTORY” mural and he went back onto the field. He found his wife, Marissa, who had the couple’s four children in tow. Their twin girls turned 1 two weeks ago. Hoffman wanted them to experience this with him. He had entered in the 10th inning of a tie game, with a runner placed on second base, and he did not allow a run to score. He was the winning pitcher in the Phillies’ clincher.“I don’t know if my boys quite understand,” Hoffman said. “But we got a lot of pictures. I tried to stay in the moment as much as I could with those guys.”Hoffman had participated in celebrations with the Rockies in 2017 and 2018, but it didn’t feel real to him. This is different. “Yeah,” he said, “because you come to the park and you think you’re going to pitch.” It’s different because Hoffman made a bet on himself in May and he was prepared to leave his family behind to pitch in Japan. He has a 2.47 ERA in 51 innings for the Phillies.He is going to be asked to pitch in big spots this October.“Right now I’m trying to enjoy this,” Hoffman said. “Tonight when I lay my head down, I’ll probably think about it a little bit. It’s been an incredible journey. Every step of the way it’s been full of surprises. I put the work in so I’m excited to be a part of it and I’m excited it’s working out the way it is.”A few weeks ago, after a win, Hoffman was walking from the bullpen to the dugout with Matt Strahm. They’re both new here this year. “I turned to him,” Strahm said, “and I was like, ‘I can’t imagine this place in October.’ So, I’m really excited to see it.” Hoffman said he felt something when he heard the fans roar in the 10th inning Tuesday night. That? That was nothing.
Jeff Hoffman strikes out Henry Davis to end the top of the 10th inning. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)While the Phillies partied in the clubhouse, the Cubs fumbled another game. That sealed home-field advantage for the Phillies in the Wild Card Series. They will host a best-of-three series here, starting next Tuesday.These Phillies are 48-31 at Citizens Bank Park this season. Their current .608 winning percentage here ranks third since the ballpark opened in 2004. Only the 2010 and 2011 juggernauts had better records at home. They are averaging 5.18 runs per game at home, their best mark in a full season since a ballpark-record 5.56 runs per game in 2007.The Phillies backed into October last year. They had an 18-day road trip they had to survive. It galvanized that team — and these guys still feel it, even if it was a little easier this time.“It’s nice to clinch on our own,” said Zack Wheeler, before he was doused with more beer. “Rather than counting on somebody else to lose. We get to do this type of stuff. It’s fun.”
Aaron Nola acknowledges the crowd after allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)Last September, Johan Rojas’ season ended in Altoona, Pa., with a triple and two RBIs. He had advanced to Double-A Reading and was proud of his progress. He went home to the Dominican Republic and he watched the Phillies.“I watched every single game from home,” Rojas said through a team interpreter. “And all I could think was, next year, I really want to be here. I really, really want to be a part of the team.”Rojas is here. He is 23 and is the team’s starting center fielder. He stepped to the plate in the 10th inning with the clinching run on second base and one out. He faced David Bednar, one of the best closers in baseball this season. He smacked a two-strike fastball through the middle of the diamond for a game-winning hit.He is here for his smooth defense in center. He’s held his own at the plate. This is different than a season ago.“Between our scouting department and our player development department, we’ve really enhanced this club,” Thomson said. “I can’t say enough. This is a total team effort.”
Alec Bohm and Jeff Hoffman chase Johan Rojas after the rookie’s walk-off single sent the Phillies back to the postseason. (Kyle Ross / USA Today)As the celebration ensued in center field — where Rojas scrambled to avoid the mad pack of men charging at him — Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh realized they had a job. They dashed from the outfield to the dugout, grabbed the water cooler, and ran it back. They dumped it on Rojas.“I just feel like we had more time together,” Marsh said. “The relationships are growing.”So, play the hits. Aaron Nola pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings in the clincher just like he did a season ago. Last October was incredible and the Phillies expect to relive it. They were two wins short of glory, and that has defined everything about this season. But it’s not the same. A bunch of the players were yelling at Orion Kerkering, the newest Phillie, to throw more sliders. Trea Turner puffed on a cigar. Guys like Hoffman and Rojas reveled in the aura that has come to define a franchise that was best known for the staggering lengths at which it failed.“I’m at a loss for words,” Marsh said. “I’ve had too much beer thrown in my face.”Here they go.(Top photo of Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and the Phillies celebrating after securing a spot in the postseason: Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
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