Looking back at the top 10 plays of the 2022 playoffs for the Phillies

Oct 8, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa (L) and left fielder Kyle Schwarber (R) celebrate in the clubhouse following his team’s 2-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals during game two of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa (L) and left fielder Kyle Schwarber (R) celebrate in the clubhouse following his team’s 2-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals during game two of the Wild Card series for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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The 2022 season was a roller-coaster ride of emotions for both the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans. While the season did not end the way the team and fans wanted, it still reignited the flame of passion for the fanbase and not only reminded the fans who know what a Red October brings but gave the young fans memories for a lifetime.

From Nick Castellanos’ amazing defensive slides to Scott Franzke’s Bedlam at the Bank call on Bryce Harper’s swing of his life. There were moments that were seared into our memories and gave us chills like we haven’t felt since (more than likely) 2008.

Philadelphia Phillies: Looking back at the top 10 plays of the 2022 playoffs

Number 10

Phillies ninth-inning rally versus the St. Louis Cardinals

The Phillies bats were just as cold as the weather in St. Louis that day and felt like they were just going to roll over and let the Cardinals win this game and ultimately walk off into the sunset after the Wild Card round. Well, it didn’t exactly happen that way.

I remember holding my breath in the top of the ninth, bases loaded with one out thinking, “Bohm is going to ground out to short and end up in a double play to end the ball game.” At 101 mph, Alec Bohm gets hit with the ball and a run goes across the plate to make it a 2-1 game.

Jean Segura, a player who had the longest active playoff draught in the Majors at the time, finally had his chance to play hero. Segura did not miss. Smashing a slider that was down and away, he got it past Tommy Edman. This was not only the game-winning hit, but the series-changing hit as well.

Number 9

Ranger Suarez closes out the Padres to send the Phillies to the Series

Ranger Suarez wasn’t having the best postseason and really struggled. Fatigue most likely got to Suarez at this point in the season. After all, this was his first full season as a true-blue starter. It takes a lot of a pitcher when they go from the bullpen to a rotation piece, especially since Suarez went from throwing at max 35 pitches to about 90 pitches or more.

Suarez wasn’t the only one who was dealing with fatigue, but when he was asked to pitch the biggest inning of his entire career, he delivered. While Suarez is usually calm and collected, the emotion he displayed was raw and filled with a release from all the frustration that he most likely felt from how he pitched throughout the postseason and the relief from rewarding Thomson for trusting him with this important situation.

Oct 29, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura (2) hits a sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura (2) hits a sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 8

Jean “Clutch” Segura

As I stated above from the Cardinals series, Jean Segura had the longest postseason drought among all active players in the MLB. Segura has waited his entire career. Game 3 of the NLCS was a rollercoaster for Segura but, at the end of the night, he ended the ride on top.

Segura is a guy who always gives 110% and, in this game, he made mistakes and made amends. With clutch hits and clutch defensive plays, Segura made the most of his first postseason run. While Segura may not be with the Phillies moving forward, he did leave us with memories that will live on forever.

Number 7

J.T. Realmuto gives the fans an inside the park home run to cheer for

J.T. Realmuto becomes the first catcher in playoffs history to hit an inside the park home run. While this isn’t the first one he hit in Citizens Bank Park, it is one for the fans to cheer for due to him wearing the red pinstripes this time. The last one was when he was a member of the MIami Marlins.

This one is now the second-best inside the park home run for Realmuto. The best part of this play in the playoffs was the radio broadcaster’s reaction to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s poor play and lack of heart when it was needed the most.

Number 6

A sliding catch so nice, Castellanos does it twice

Nick Castellanos by no means had the season the Phillies nor himself were expecting him to have. His bat was less than disappointing, and we knew he was a defensive liability in the field coming to Philly, which is why he was brought in to be the DH. Through the magic of analytics, the Phillies were able to put Castellanos in positions to succeed defensively.

Castellanos is going to be a big part of this puzzle, especially with Bryce Harper still unable to field, for quite some time this season. If Castellanos can do what he does every year after his first season, which is typically a down year going off stats, then he will bring more memories for the fans than just sliding catches!

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Number 5

City of Brotherly Love

While we did just have the Kelce brothers going toe to toe in the Super Bowl, The Nola Brothers did it first. The best part about them facing each other is that Aaron had to pitch against Austin and their parents had a rough time watching it. At least for the Kelce brothers, they are on the same side of the ball and didn’t have to go up against each other.

This is still an amazing moment for both Aaron and Austin and their parents and story that can be told for a long time in their family!

Number 4

Kyle Schwarber hits one into space

This was an insane home run by Kyle Schwarber. I remember watching this live and my jaw just absolutely dropped, similar to Bryce Harper’s reaction that went viral. This was just an insane hit by Schwarber and I really don’t have to say much more about this Schwarbomb.

Number 3

Everybody hits a home run in the World Series

This was an amazing performance from the Phillies, and it was the last time they really got the bats going in the World Series. It was absolutely insane at Citizens Bank Park. The best part of this explosion was seeing just how much of a leader Bryce Harper was.

With the addition of Trea Turner, hopefully the Phillies can have an explosion like this and not have the bats go cold directly afterwards.

Nov 1, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning in game three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning in game three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 2

The swings of their lives: Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins

No words for this one, just enjoy.

Number 1

The Phans and team have a giant party where no one dances on their own

This city will be rocking in just a little over a month and the anticipation for first pitch at the Bank is looming and the excitement is rising. This city needs a pick me up from the Super Bowl loss and this is a great opportunity for the Phillies to come on top in the city until about August. With the Sixers being up and down, the Flyers going through a rebuild and the Union still gaining traction and a bigger following in the city, the Phillies’ ability to fill the ballpark on a day-to-day basis is in their own hands.

dark. Next. Who makes Philadelphia's Opening Day roster?

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