As the Major League Baseball offseason wears on, and we look ahead to spring training and the 2025 season, it looks like Philadelphia Phillies fans will have one final chance to look back on the 2024 season. The team will release its 2024 Video Yearbook on YouTube on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
It's finally here 👀
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 8, 2025
The 2024 Phillies Video Yearbook premieres tonight at 7:30 on YouTube
📺 https://t.co/OWInKJLUu3 pic.twitter.com/tKbt3Olxn0
Phillies' 2024 Video Yearbook features fan favorite John Kruk
Any fans tuning in tonight or at a later date will be treated to narration by none other than former Phillies player and current broadcaster John Kruk. The video description on YouTube revealed the news about this year's narrator, who is a massive fan favorite.
"Narrated by broadcaster John Kruk, 'Chasing Greatness' goes behind the scenes with never-before-seen footage and player interviews, capturing the excitement that surrounded the team from spring training and throughout the 20th anniversary season at Citizens Bank Park."
Kruk has gained a cult-like following for his epically hilarious on-air musings and relating of stories from his past playing career (prison baseball, anyone?) and his everyday life. He routinely has play-by-play partner Tom McCarthy in stitches during live broadcasts. The only thing fans want is to see and hear more from Kruk, as he typically only works home broadcasts, with the occasional road trip.
It's not the first time the Phillies have turned to Kruk for a voiceover. He was featured in the team's postseason Red October promo last year.
As for the Video Yearbook, we can't blame any who may choose to avoid reliving the 2024 season and the way the once-promising campaign ended. But for those fans who are brave enough to sit through the chronicle of the season that was, they'll be reminded of just how well the season started and the resulting NL East title, the team's first division crown in 13 years.
Per the Phillies' YouTube channel:
"The 2024 Phillies Video Yearbook chronicles the team’s history-making season that included multiple franchise records, memorable moments, and all the good vibes along the way, as the Phillies clinched their first NL East Division Championship since 2011."
If you recall, the Phillies went a ridiculous 55-29 over the season's first three months. They had an eight-game stranglehold on the division at the end of June, as everything seemed to go their way. From incredible pitching to one of the top offenses in the majors, they received contributions from up and down the roster.
But a second-half swoon saw them stumble into the playoffs as a .500 team over the final three months. They were promptly eliminated in the NLDS in four games by the rival New York Mets. It's going to be tough to put a positive spin on that.
Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 season, we'll be watching tonight as we get geared up for the possibilities of 2025.