Not all quotes are meant to be summed up in a headline.
Appearing on Foul Territory Monday, Rhys Hoskins was asked by former Phillies catcher Erik Kratz if he expects to be booed when he returns as a visitor at Citizens Bank Park. The full context of his answer might give you a different perspective than some headlines.
“My guess is yes, my guess is yes,” Hoskins said with a smile. “I don’t know if hope is the right word, but if I’m getting booed, it probably means that the Brewers are doing something to be winning the game, or to win the game. So, I’ll kinda root for that as a way to make sure that we, the Brewers, are coming out on top.
“But I’m excited to go back,” Hoskins added. “I’m excited to see all those guys, those relationships that I’ve talked about. I’m excited to compete against them, wearing a different uni. But I said this when I signed, I hope the Brewers win at the end of the day.”
If you just read the little blurb on this tweet below, you would think Hoskins was expecting a cold reception from Phillies fans. It’s unclear why Kratz — a former Phillie who is from the area — seemed to suggest Hoskins might not get a great response. But Hoskins wasn’t really saying he expects deafening boos when he walks to the plate the first time, he was saying that he hopes at some point he hears boos, because that means his current employer is winning.
Hoskins and his wife, Jayme, were so invested in the Phillies organization and the Philadelphia community that it probably was very difficult when the team informed him in early November that Bryce Harper would be moving to first base on a full-time basis, ending his time with the team. On one hand, it gave Hoskins an answer early on regarding whether the Phillies would be a player for his services. On the other hand, regardless of circumstances, it had to burn at least a little bit.
You hear in his answer — particularly the part where he says “we, the Brewers” — that he’s still getting used to his new reality. Hoskins is very positive, and after missing all of last season with a torn ACL in his left knee, he’s certainly ecstatic to be back on the field. But in a honest moment, he would probably admit that he wishes he could have played the entirety of his career with the Phillies.
Instead, he’ll return as a visitor when the Brewers come to Citizens Bank Park June 3-5. He may not get quite as rousing of an ovation as either Jimmy Rollins or Chase Utley did when they returned to Philadelphia as visitors. But Hoskins will get a pretty damn loud ovation, as he should.
And if there are boos later, he appears well aware that it’s nothing malicious.
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