Phillies blow the roof off Citizens Bank Park with incredible first pitch

When the Director of Relationship Marketing for the Phillies, John Brazer, announced on WIP that "the first pitch is going to be a spectacular one" for tonight's NL Wild Card game 1 against the Miami Marlins, rumors started swirling on social media.

The city and fans were as pumped up as they could be with all of the hype videos coming out throughout the day. Specifically, one from the Phillies' official social media account with Garrett Stubbs saying, "If you don't get it ... then get the **** out of Philly," they didn't need any more fuel added to the fire, but here we are.

Could it be Taylor Swift? Maybe Charlie Manuel? At one point, a premature report stated that Jamie Moyer would toss out the first pitch, only for that to be retracted and announced that he was set for Game 2.

Finally, the 8:08 p.m. ET game time approached in Philadelphia, and the crowd erupted as Rhys Hoskins appeared from the first base dugout, ball in hand. Hoskins acknowledged the Philly Phaithful before settling himself on the mound and grooving a pitch down the middle to a waiting Kyle Schwarber.

The homegrown first basemen has missed the entirety of the 2023 season with a torn ACL suffered early in Spring Training. He is fighting his way back and hopes to contribute if the team makes it deep into the playoffs.

The Phillies definitely missed the 30-year-old's bat this season. He popped 30 long balls last year and contributed 79 RBI and scored 81 runs.

Excited as ever for Red October, Phillies fans have already brought Citizens Bank Park to a frenzy and are in full swing for another playoff run. As the postseason kicks off, only time will tell if this team can finish the job they came so close to last year.