The Phillies played in the World Series, following a Wild Card season of 87-75; the worst of the records between the American and National League Wild Card teams. 

The Phillies are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based out of Philadelphia with the main goal of winning the World Series, a best-of-seven series of games determined to find the “champion”. Their season consists of 162 games against every other team in the league.

While they’ve had 8 World Series appearances, the Phillies have only won the world series twice, in 2008 and 1980. Since their last win in 2008, the Phillies staff has undergone numerous changes, including both their lineup and their managers.

Through these changes, fans’ love for the team and administration has stayed strong. State College resident Jim McDyre has been a fan of the Phillies for nearly 45 years and watched the Phillies pave their way through the playoffs.

“I was expecting them to maybe get [in the Playoffs] this year but I definitely wasn’t expecting them to make it into the world series, for sure, and definitely not win two games,” McDyre said.

The Phillies ended the World Series in game six, winning two games. Following their win in game one, the Phillies lost game two and won game three. They lost games four, five, and six, making their postseason record 11-6.

The Phillies players are still looking forward to next season, even through their loss. Bryce Harper is the right fielder for the Phillies and ended the postseason with 22 hits and 6 home runs. Following game six, Harper spoke to reporters about the game.

“I mean, anytime you lose it’s not fun. No matter what situation, or whatever, you’re in,” Harper said, “We didn’t get it done. We didn’t finish it. It doesn’t matter if you’re an 87-win team or a 101-win team. It doesn’t matter. We didn’t get it done.”

When asked about Harper’s message to his fans about the 2023/24 season, he spoke on his thoughts and how he thinks the Phillies team will evolve.

“They’re not going to be shocked,” Harper noted. “This is going to be the same team next year with a couple more pieces. I’d like to imagine Dave Dombrowski [Phillies Manager] is our guy. John Middleton [Phillies Owner] understands that we want to win. He wants to win.”

The Phillies will begin their spring training on Feb. 24, 2023, and will begin playing their first games on March 30, with new players and “pieces”.