10 Reasons Phillies fans should be thankful this year

8. New player development executives

The Phillies have struggled to develop players for years, and their farm system usually ranks among the worst in baseball. But it feels like that’s about to change, thanks to the new hires the Phillies have made over the last few months. They’ve been squiring away talent from teams with top farm systems to build one of their own.

Former Padres advance scouting and game-planning coordinator Preston Mattingly (yes, he’s Don Mattingly’s son) is the Phillies’ new Farm Director. Anirudh Kilambi, formerly of the Rays’ R&D department, is one of their new assistant GMs.

The farm system hasn’t born much fruit over the last decade, but it’s about to go from famine to feast.

9. The Phillie Phanatic

The best mascot in baseball is officially back in original form, so be thankful and excited for more ATV rids, belly bumps, and dance-offs in 2022.

10. Citizens Bank Park fireworks

CBP boasts the best fireworks in the bigs, and if Bryce Harper has his way, they’ll become more than just an annual event. He wants to see home runs after every Phillies batter’s home run. The way he hits them, that’s a lot of fireworks!