Little did Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips know that his antics as a position player pitching on Monday wouldn’t be his most viral moment of the week.
One day after Phillips offered hilarious moments for baseball fans — including a funny pitching delivery, a sliding catch coming off the mound and his 43-mph eephus pitch that was smacked for a grand slam — videos of Phillips made their way around the internet on Tuesday for a more serious and wholesome reason.
2022 AL Gold Glove winner. 🏆
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 12, 2022
Brett Phillips, pitcher. pic.twitter.com/vOPgjElC7q
Before Tampa Bay’s game Tuesday, Phillips met Chloe Grimes, an 8-year-old Rays fan with cancer, who threw out the first pitch. Phillips is Grimes’ favorite player, and he caught the pitch she threw before the contest.
As the Rays broadcast interviewed Grimes during the game, Phillips smashed a home run, much to Grimes’ delight.
After the Rays’ 9-8 win over the Athletics, Phillips teared up when he found out that his home run came as the broadcast interviewed Grimes.
“Chloe, you’re an inspiration. … that homer was for you.” ❤️
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2022
Rays outfielder Brett Phillips was choked up after hitting a home run with his biggest fan, Chloe Grimes, in attendance. Chloe, who’s 8 years old, is battling cancer for the second time. pic.twitter.com/0ALFskSKw2
“Usually I’m not at a loss of words. I had a chance to meet Chloe for the first time. She’s battling cancer, and she brought me these gifts. She wrote my name on a softball. Chloe, you’re an inspiration. Holy cow, I think that’s the hardest ball I’ve hit in my career. I’m praying for you guys.”
“𝘾𝙝𝙡𝙤𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣!”
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) April 13, 2022
Brett Phillips finds out about the magical moment that happened when Chloe was being interviewed while he hit a home run! @RaysBaseball #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/qyVy2ccumb
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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