From the bat spike to the dingers, see Rhys Hoskins' career highlights with the Phillies

anthony dimattia, delaware news journal

Wed, Jan 24, 2024, 4:08 PM·3 min read

Farewell, Rhys.

It was a bittersweet day for Phillies fans Tuesday with the news that longtime first baseman Rhys Hoskins would be signing a two-year, $34 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

While it was unlikely Hoskins would return with Bryce Harper moving to first, some were still holding out hope Hoskins would re-sign in Philly.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the 3rd inning in game three of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park.

Hoskins, who missed all of the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL in spring training, moves on after helping the Phillies through a long rebuild following World Series runs in the early 2010s. He was a crucial member of the 2022 team that took the Houston Astros to Game 6 of the World Series.

In six seasons with the Phils, Hoskins hit .242 hitter with 148 homers, 405 RBIs and an OPS of .846. in 667 career games. In 2022, the soon-to-be 31-year-old hit .246 with 30 home runs and 79 runs batted in while compiling an OPS of .794.

Here's a look back at his most memorable moments in Philadelphia:

The bat spike against Spencer Strider and the Atlanta Braves

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game 3 of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Oct. 14, 2022.

With the best of five National League Division Series tied 1-1, Hoskins came to the plate with the Phillies already up 1-0 and with a chance to break the game and series open.

With two on and one out in the third, Hoskins took Braves' ace Spencer Strider deep into the leftfield seats at Citizens Bank Park and emphatically spiked his bat in celebration.

The Phillies never looked back, taking the next two from the Braves before clinching the pennant against the San Diego Padres.

Hoskins goes deep twice in NLCS win over Padres

Looking to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Padres in the NLCS, Hoskins' two-run home run started a Phillies' comeback after the team fell behind 4-0 in the first.

With the Padres leading 6-4 in the fifth, Hoskins hit another two-run blast to tie the game. Sluggers Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto would also homer in the Phils' 10-6 win.

While he hit only .159, Hoskins would go on to smash six home runs and knock in 12 in 17 postseason games.

Hoskins gets his revenge against the New York Mets

The Phillies and Mets don't like each other.

Tensions between the NL East rivals hit a boiling point in an April 2019 series, when the Mets threw behind Hoskins twice in retaliation for two of their hitters getting plunked the night before.

After the teams exchanged hit batters in the final game of the series, Hoskins blasted a two-run shot and took his sweet time rounding the bases in the Phils' win at Citi Field.

2019 opening day grand slam vs. the Braves

There's nothing like beating the hated Braves.

After signing former Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper in the offseason, expectations were high in Philly to start the 2019 season.

While they fell short of the postseason, Hoskins got the Phils off to a great start with his first career grand slam in a 10-4 opening day win.

Hoskins' first major league home run

While he had some shaky moments as a Phillie, Hoskins' career started off with a bang.

After being called up in August, the former fourth-round pick went deep for the first time on Aug. 14, 2014, in San Diego.

Hoskins then went on a tear, hitting a total of 11 home runs in a span of 14 games. He ended the season with 18 home runs in 34 games, which set a rookie record for most by any player in MLB history who made his season debut after Aug. 1. The previous record of 13 was held by Hall of Famer Ted Williams.