NEW YORK — There was a distinct feel to each of the last three Phillies season-ending losses.
In 2022 after Game 6 of the World Series, there was disappointment, but a sense of pride that they made it as far as they did. There was hope that this was the start of a special run.
The group was stunned after the Diamondbacks took Games 6 and 7 at home to advance to the World Series. They vowed to be back next year to avenge their heartbreak. Some were in tears.
A year later, disappointment filled the air as the Phillies packed their bags for a trip home to conclude the season. Kyle Schwarber, Kody Clemens, Garrett Stubbs and Bryson Stott sat at a table in silence. Phillies players lingered around with a beer in hand to savior the final moments of the 2024 season.
Some players looked to their families for comfort. Nick Castellanos sat at his locker with his son Liam. Bryce Harper held his infant daughter in the hallway outside of the clubhouse.
Just 18 days ago, Phillies manager Rob Thomson stood in the middle of the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field with a glass of champagne in hand. They had just clinched a postseason berth. The modest celebration, a short toast, was supposed to be symbolic of what was to come. They wore blue t-shirts that said, “October Ready.”
“This is the first step. We can’t have a countdown J.T. because we don’t know how many games we need to win,” Thomson said.
Few could have predicted that the Phillies would win only one playoff game and that their October run would end in the place where it all started.
Here are some reactions from the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field after a 4-1 loss to the Mets in Game 4 of the NLDS that ended their season:
Thomson: “Yeah, it’s disappointing. The thing that’s not disappointing is the character that’s in our room, the professionalism, the way they go about their business, their work ethic. That’s not just the players, but it’s also the coaching staff, support staff. We have a really great group. We got beat in a short series.”
Harper: “Can’t finish the job. It’s a really good team over there. They played well this series. They pitched well. Hit the crap out of the baseball. Timely hitting. Everything you want to do as a playoff team. Thought the Mets had a great series.”
Schwarber: “I don’t know what to tell you, it fucking hurts. It’s not a good feeling. I feel like the group that we had just keeps getting better and better. I feel like, first off, you have to give credit where credit is due. They played phenomenal. I felt like they pitched the ball great. Got timely hitting, and they’re the ones moving on. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it – they beat us. So credit to them. But I don’t think it doesn’t take away the feeling that is in the room that it definitely hurts.”
Castellanos: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We started fantastic. We were the best team in baseball in the first half and everybody in baseball and all the fans and everyone saying, ‘This is our year. This is our year.’ I don’t know if expectations put added pressure. I don’t know. I don’t know. I can’t speculate. But one thing I know is that we didn’t cross the finish line.”
Realmuto: “It’s definitely disappointing. Losing is never fun, especially when we know how much talent we have in this clubhouse and how much the guys in here get along. It’s definitely a disappointing series and not the way we wanted it to end.”
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Tom Dockery
October 10, 2024 at 1:17 pm
At times such as is this,I lean on the words of Adlai Stevenson,the loser of the 1952 Presidential election:”It hurts too much to laugh,but I’m too old to cry.”
As difficult as is this defeat,it is nothing compared to the devastation felt in 1964-and beyond.The Phillies gradually sank to the bottom of the NL,emerging a decade later.
The management must not take these 4 games as a reason to attempt a teardown.
The Sun will come out tomorrow.The ballpark is still there.
Mario Monti
October 10, 2024 at 5:16 pm
I have been a fan of the Phillies since the 80’s. I liked Mike Schmidt he was a hard nosed player. He stuck with the team throughout his whole career. I spent much of the summer in Philadelphia. I was able to watch the games at Jefferson University Hospital. Yesterday the Phillies broke my heart by losing to the hated Mets. I was able to meet so many great people that were Phillies fans from the nurses, the therapists, and the doctors. The Phillies gave us a glimmer of hope on Sunday night. I watched the city lights turn red to honor the Phillies. I sure hope to be at Opening day in 2025.
Thank you Phillies for a great season despite the early exit versus the Mets.
The Phillies will return to the playoffs in 2025.
Let’s go Phillies!!!
Barbara Jean
October 11, 2024 at 6:26 am
It was called out by NBC Sports after that last game with the Mets that this team has been struggling during the second half of the season. I will be shocked if you see the same starting lineup in 2025.