The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a good start in their 2022 World Series debut, and catcher J.T. Realmuto made it even better.
The Philadelphia Phillies are on their first postseason run since 2011, and they’ve managed to defy all odds and make it to the World Series. They’re already making MLB history, and catcher J.T. Realmuto is making it even better with three historic moments in Game 1.
During their Game 1 victory, Realmuto left his mark on league history by becoming the only player in MLB history to hit an inside-the-park home run and an extra-inning homer in his postseason career.
His extra-inning homer accounted for two more historic moments. He became the first player since 1954 to hit one in Game 1 of the World Series. He also became the first catcher in league history to hit an extra-inning home run since Carlton Fisk’s walk-off in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.
Realmuto has had a great 2022 season, so there’s no surprise that he’s been able to pull off so much postseason success. With players like him, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies have a real shot at winning the World Series.
The Phillies have a real shot at their first World Series win since 2008
Coming into the postseason, few could’ve guessed that the Phillies would make it past the NLDS. They faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Series, which was an even match that wouldn’t have been surprising with either side winning.
However, the NLDS was very telling of Philadelphia’s ability. They faced the 2021 World Series champions, the Atlanta Braves, and weren’t expected to take them down. The Braves knocked the New York Mets off the top of the NL East standings in the last week of the regular season, and they seemed to have everything lined up perfectly for success.
Through perseverance and many home runs, the Phillies outplayed the Braves and eliminated Atlanta’s chance to earn a second consecutive World Series title. Game 3 of the NLDS was particularly impactful. In the third inning alone, six runs were scored with two homers.
Bryson Stott started off the run-streak with an RBI that drove Brandon Marsh home. Rhys Hoskins then hit a three-run homer, followed by a massive Harper home run that brought in two more runs.
Realmuto accounted for one of the six runs, and he’s hit three of his own this postseason. He’s been one of the most impactful players in Philadelphia’s postseason run with the second-best batting average on the team (.267), third-best on-base percentage (.353), third-best OPS (.489) and second-best OPS (.842).
The opposing Houston Astros seemed to be set up for more success in the regular season, just like the Braves did, but the Phillies have been truly showcasing their offensive talent and plate discipline.
The Phils managed to climb up from a 5-0 deficit on Friday night, particularly playing to Astros pitcher Justin Verlander’s weaknesses. Within just two innings, the game was tied 5-5 with a double from Marsh, a walk from Schwarber and another double from Alec Bohm. The Phillies are solid proof that the regular season does not dictate what can happen in the postseason.
The game then went into an extra inning, where Realmuto brought the Phillies to victory with a walk-off home run.
Realmuto is certainly one of many players in Philadelphia to appreciate as the Phillies get closer to the World Series title. He’s making history as the entire team chases it.