Emotional Tribute: Rhys Hoskins announces his return to the Philadelphia Phillies just after his…….
PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins’ name had echoed through the Citizens Bank Park PA system countless times, but Monday night’s series opener between the Phillies and Brewers felt different.
“Batting sixth, Brewers designated hitter, No. 12, Rhys Hoskins.”
Fans across the ballpark — many clad in red-pinstriped or powder blue Phillies No. 17 jerseys with Hoskins’ name on the back — rose to give the visiting No. 12 a standing ovation. The cheers for the former Phillies star and current Brewer drowned out the end of PA announcer Dan Baker’s call.
The applause grew louder when the Phillies played a video montage on the giant Phanavision board after the first inning, ending with his iconic bat spike in Game 3 of the 2022 National League Division Series. Hoskins acknowledged the ovation and the “Rhys!” chants from the top step of the visitors’ dugout.
When he came up to bat in the second inning, the third ovation was the loudest yet. Hoskins stepped out of the box, saluted the crowd with his helmet, and patted his heart repeatedly.
The Phillies played a montage for Hoskins after the 1st inning, culminating with the bat spike. The crowd responded with an ovation and “Rhys!” chants. Hoskins acknowledged them from the top step of the visiting dugout.
He looked around, nodded, and his eyes visibly welled up.
“It was loud,” Hoskins admitted, with tears in his eyes. “I sneaked a peek up toward our family section, just to see how my wife was doing; it looked like she was shedding a few tears, too. It was loud, but that’s what this place does.”
It was Hoskins’ first time on the field at CBP since another emotional moment when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of last season’s NL Wild Card Series. That was Hoskins’ last action in a Phillies uniform, as his attempt to return from a torn ACL sustained in the final week of Spring Training fell short when the team was eliminated in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series.
“The ending didn’t match the rest of my time here, and I’m looking forward to moving on from that chapter,” Hoskins said. “I think tonight will be a nice start for that.”
