The 2022 Phillies are a team that fans will never forget. Their improbable run came to an end Saturday night, as they fell to the Houston Astros 4-2 in the World Series. The Phillies improbable run ended in the World Series after a season that had so many twists and turns.
The Astros have won their second World Series since 2017 and SS Jeremy Pena picked up MVP honors. Manager Dusty Baker has been a manager since 1993 and with the win, he picks up his first championship as a manager.
The 2022 World Series has been a roller coaster of a series. The Phillies came back from a 5-0 deficit in game 1 to hand Houston their first loss of the 2022 Postseason. Game 2 was all Houston as they tied the series. In game 3 playing in their first home World Series game since 2009, the Phillies tied a record for most home runs in a World Series game with 5. Game 3 was known for the Phillies offense, but in game 4 they went cold. The Astros became the 2nd team ever to throw a no-hitter in a World Series game. The Phillies had more missed opportunities in game 5 as Houston took a 3-2 lead. In Game 6, one swing from Yordan Alvarez was enough to give the Astros the win and the World Series title.
The Phillies season comes to an end, and it is a season that the fans will never forget. This season had more ups and downs than any other season. They fired manager Joe Girardi on June 3 and promoted bench coach Rob Thomson to interim manager. That moved turned out to be successful as they then won 14 out of 16 games. However, the success took a turn. Throughout the year Jean Segura, Bryce Harper, Zach Wheeler, and Nick Castellanos all missed significant time with injuries. With all the injuries and all the roster changes, we never saw this team's full potential until the playoffs.
Even with all the setbacks, the Phillies overcame the hurdles, and an 87-win Phillies made the playoffs on the final weekend of the regular season. When the playoffs began, the Phillies went on a run that we have never seen before.
In the Wild Card series against St. Louis, the Phillies scored 6 runs in the top of the 9th to take game 1, and in game 2 a Bryce Harper homerun lifted the Phillies into the NLDS. With the series win, the Phillies sent future hall of famers Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina into retirement. In the NLDS the Phillies took down the defending World Series champions and division rival Atlanta Braves 3-1. In the NLCS it was a battle between with the Padres. However, the Phillies offense continued to dominate towards a 4-1 series win.
The Phillies struggled in games 4,5, and 6 in the World Series. Throughout the entire playoffs the pitching and offense was incredible. Our starting pitching was lights out and our bullpen played stronger than we have ever seen. The offense was even better. It looked like batting practice with all the home runs the Phillies scored during the playoffs. Both the pitching and offense lifted the team to the place they are.
However, in the last 3 games of the season, the Phillies offense had lost its spark. The Phillies pitchers seemed to have nothing left in the tank. The outcome was not what we wanted, but the season was as memorable as the 2008 season.
Looking back on the 2022 Phillies to think that an 87-win team would make it the World Series is still crazy. Are we surprised? No, because we knew what this team was capable of, and their playoff run was no surprise. Watching two division rivals each win over 100 games in the off-season and then watch the Phillies win the pennant, can you think of a better scenario? Not the ending we wanted, but a ride we will never forget.
With everything that happened this season, it is crazy how invested they all were in the playoffs. Starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and Zach Efflin both transitioned to the bullpen and fully embraced the situation. Jean Segura turned into a playoff hero with so many big hits. Rhys Hoskins put behind struggled with so many big hits. Harper continued to show that he is one of the best players in the MLB. Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola were sensational in their playoff runs. I could go on for hours about every player, but that shows you how much this team went all in.
Message to the 2022 Phillies
The 2022 Phillies not only went on an improbable run, but they united a city like we have never seen before. You united a fan base like no other. Throughout the season there was so many ups and downs. With all the injuries that occurred, you continued to keep us invested. Even when times were tough, we supported you, because we knew at the end of the day that you would do the same for us.
Throughout your playoff run, stars became Philadelphia legends. With one swing of the bat Harper became Philly royalty. With just one swing, 11 years of pain was forgotten. A hero in Rob Thomson was born. The 2022 Phillies turned Citizens Bank Park into one of the best atmospheres in all of sports. Being at game 4 against Atlanta, you could feel the stadium shaking from all the excitement. Seeing that after homeruns by Harper and Alec Bohm registered as earthquakes.
The 2022 Phillies is a team we will never forget. However, looking back on this team it won't be the wins and losses we remember. This team was fun to watch and sparked so much fun and excitement. This team will forever be remembered for the passion and the love for the city they play in. It is not easy to play here and any former player from any sport will tell you the same thing. The great thing about this team was their desire to play for Philly and to win in Philly. To see a group of guys that represented the city they love and would do anything for, was the real championship. In 25 years, I have never seen a group quite like the 2022 Phillies embrace a city or a fanbase like this team has.
Thank you to the 2022 Phillies for being a team that we are proud to call our own. I promise you, we are not dancing on our own, we are dancing all together as a city! A city that is united with this ballclub! This team is going to be back and will have a chip on their shoulder. When we run it back in 2023, I can promise this city will continued to be united and will continue to ride with you and ride with Philly Rob!
Thank you to the Phillies, see you April!