Slugger Rhys Hoskins was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014 and spent nine years with the organization, making his major league debut in 2017. Throughout those years, Hoskins embraced the city and embedded himself in the history of the team. He became a fan favorite, not always for his performance on the field, but for his passion, commitment, and grit — qualities Phillies fans notice and respect.
Hoskins made it no secret he loved playing in Philadelphia, loved playing beside his teammates, and loved playing for the fans. It wasn’t always easy for him, a lot of ups and downs and heat from the media, but he never let that get to him. He understood what was expected of him and came through when it mattered most.
After signing with the Brewers, Hoskins sat down for an interview to talk about his transition, what he’s excited about, and what he’ll miss. He spoke directly to Phillies fans when asked what he hopes we remember about his time in Philadelphia.
“I think it's gonna start with what we were able to do in terms of connecting with the city," Hoskins said. "Hopefully, you know, we left some sort of lasting impact within the community. A couple of different organizations that we were able to cultivate really, really strong relationships with, hopefully lasting relationships.”
Hoskins and his wife Jayme were very active in the Philadelphia surrounding communities. Their main focus was raising money and awareness for The Muscular Dystrophy Association. Their passion for MDA awareness brought the couple together initially, first meeting each other while volunteering at an MDA camp in high school. They have continued to work with the organization ever since, and while being in Philadelphia, they made a huge impact on the local MDA community.
Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic (subscription required), they "raised more than $1 million for MDA during their time in Philly."
The couple hosted annual events in the city, like "Go Yard with Rhys Hoskins," where all proceeds went to The Muscular Dystrophy Association and similar organizations.
What does Rhys Hoskins hope to be remembered for during his time in Philadelphia? 👏 pic.twitter.com/z6Qltb1nf0
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 30, 2024
Just as much as Hoskins hopes his wins off the field make a lasting impact, he hopes the fans will always remember the wins on the field.
“At the end of the day we’re playing a sport and at the sport it's all about winning," Hoskins said. "So, some of those memories that we were able to make, you know, within the postseason run and trying to get there, ending a drought for any city ... getting into the playoffs is something I think to hang your hat on and be proud of. But also, be able to create more memories along that way is something I think that team and hopefully myself included will be remembered for.”
Phillies fans will have no trouble remembering the wins of the magical 2022 run to the World Series. Especially when players like Hoskins made it so exciting that they created a core memory for every single Phillies fan.
Yes, we're talking about the bat slam moment. One of the most exhilarating and electrifying home runs ever and definitely the most iconic Hoskins home run. He gifted the city not only a three-run home run against the Braves in Game 2 of the NLDS but an unforgettable raw reaction to being as clutch as you can be in the postseason, matching the fans' energy perfectly at that moment. Hoskins must not fret that we’d ever forget that.
Even though the Phillies didn't win the games that mattered most, the team gave us more than we could have asked for in 2022 — celebrations and memories with friends and family that no fan will ever forget. Hoskins was a big part in making that possible. We missed him dearly in 2023 and wish his ending here was different, but he will always be able to call Philadelphia home.