Phillies future appears bright after World Series

Bittersweet. That’s the best way to describe this magical season for the Philadelphia Phillies.

After losing to the Astros in the World Series four games to two, players will disperse throughout the country. For many, when they return to Citizens Bank Park to clear their lockers, it’ll be the last time they’ll be teammates.

Fortunately, each player will carry with them the lasting memory of a remarkable season.

Like the deafening cheers reigning down on South Philadelphia after Bryce Harper hit the game-winning home run that sent the Phillies to the World Series for the first time in 13 years.

Who present could forget the elation felt in that moment?

The “Fightin’ Phils” looked like the latest team to have the inexplicable October magic.

It appeared like the same magic that carried the Nationals over the Astros in 2019 and the Braves over the same opponent in 2021.

After clinching the National League pennant, Philadelphia’s clubhouse celebration resembled one you would see after the World Series. Who can blame them? Here’s a team that started the season 21-29. They weren’t supposed to be in the postseason, let alone the World Series.

Jekyll and Hyde

A shirtless Alec Bohm chugged a beer in the clubhouse after the Phillies punched their ticket to the Fall Classic. Asked what he wanted to tell Philadelphia, Bohm said, “I love this place,” before pointing to the cameras in an “I see you” type gesture.

Months earlier, Bohm was caught telling teammate Didi Gregorious, “I f–cking hate this place.”

The moment came after Bohm made a routine play. A displeased Philly crowd sarcastically cheered the 26-year-old infielder after he had made two errors earlier in the game.

This encapsulates Philadelphia’s Jekyll and Hyde season perfectly.

For weeks after Bohm’s mishap, the team endured losing stretches and streaks of bad luck. They fired manager Joe Girardi and suffered injuries to key players like Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, and Zack Wheeler.

It seemed at that point that the season was over. Little did they know, it had only just begun.

The Phillies run to remember

Rob Thomson began his coaching career in the late 1980s. After being passed up for a number of managerial positions, he had resorted to a career as a bench coach.

That is until Girardi was fired after an abysmal 22-29 start.

Always a favorite around organizations like the Tigers, Yankees, and now the Phillies, Thomson was named interim manager after Girardi’s departure.

Little did Philadelphia know, he would soon revitalize a team that was down and out.

Under his tutelage, the Phils went 65-46 which was the seventh-best record in MLB. They finished the season with an 87-75 record and a playoff berth.

Young players excelled under his guidance. Guys like Ranger Suarez, Seranthony Dominguez, and Edmundo Sosa.

Even underperforming veterans like Nick Castellanos and Rhys Hoskins advanced their games.

In the end, everyone played a major role in this memorable run to the World Series. Now, the expectations for next season are set.

There is no reason to think that another run isn’t possible next year.