The Philadelphia Phillies made some huge additions at the trade deadline to help bolster their roster down the stretch. They reeled in two former All-Stars in Austin Hays and Carlos Estévez, along with a valuable lefty arm for the bullpen in Tanner Banks. As a result, we should be able to witness them at their best, helping the Phillies’ drive for the playoffs.
But no matter how big any of the team's additions were, or how big they turn out to be, they sure can’t top the obvious biggest addition that the Phillies made this past week. That addition, folks, is this:
It’s … big. pic.twitter.com/4RryJYLkl6
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 31, 2024
Phillies’ biggest addition might be their giant jersey patch
No doubt no one will ever miss seeing this addition, given the gigantic size of that jersey ad patch. The lettering is almost as large as the “Phillies” on the front of the uniform. But jokes aside, it actually represents a very meaningful and important part of the Phillies' history.
For those who aren’t aware, the Phillies named Independent Blue Cross (IBX) as the team’s first official jersey patch partner last Wednesday during a presser at Citizen Banks Park. IBX has been Philadelphia’s hometown health insurer for over 85 years and counting. It sure took the Phillies a while to decide on their jersey patch partner, but they chose a meaningful one in the end.
In the new partnership that they have built together, they will look forward to expanding it beyond the game to run future health initiatives and causes that will benefit the fans, IBX members and associates, as well as the community as a whole.
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola apparently fully supports the partnership. He will team up with IBX to help those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is probably why he proudly dons the Phillies’ jersey above with the huge IBX patch clearly visible.
Hopefully, they will be able to accomplish many “big” things together, and both organizations will end up with great success in what they do and become true winners for all. So Phillies, wear the patch proudly!