MLB World Reacts to Phillies Clinching World Series Berth

Somehow, Philadelphia went from firing their manager midseason to winning the National League pennant.

By the end of May, the Phillies were 21–29. The next day, they fired their manager. Five months later, they’re going to the World Series.

The Fightin’ Phils continued their remarkable turnaround season by winning Game 5 of the NLCS over the Padres in dramatic fashion on Sunday, taking a 4–3 lead in the eighth inning on a game-winning two-run homer by Bryce Harper. Three outs later, the Philadelphia party got started.

BRYCE HARPER !!

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/KRAERKKEuA

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 23, 2022

It’s a historic run the likes of which are rarely seen in professional baseball. Philadelphia’s record through the first 50 games of the season is tied for the fourth-worst among teams that eventually went on to make the World Series, per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs. The Phillies have yet to lose a postseason game in front of their home crowd and are 9–2 overall in the playoffs after finishing the regular season 87–75. They were the last team to punch their ticket into the field, beating out the Brewers for the NL’s final wild-card spot by just one game.

Understandably, the baseball world had strong reactions to the Phillies continuing their improbably run toward the Fall Classic. Check out some of the best of the bunch below.

I’m downtown for the Broad Street Party and have spotted my first pole climber. #Phillies pic.twitter.com/Tdi4tA9I3c

— Stephanie Farr (@FarFarrAway) October 23, 2022

In a sport defined by failure, it often feels impossible for a player to come through when everyone expects him and needs him to.

Bryce Harper: epic at-bat, epic home run. A legacy-shaping two weeks.

The Phillies are going to the World Series.

— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) October 23, 2022

Gave my dog a lil cheesesteak as a treat because Phillies to World Series baybee pic.twitter.com/4EawgwS7TW

— kelsey mckinney (@mckinneykelsey) October 23, 2022

Phillies going to the World Series. Maybe the greatest unexpected feel-good sports story of my lifetime

— Jawn Gonzalez (@JohnGonzalez) October 23, 2022

My Phavorite Phillies Celebration shot so far tonight. Two dads each wanting their two kids to know what it’s like to live in Championship City ⁦@FOX29philly⁩ pic.twitter.com/z47eTKELSs

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 23, 2022

john middleton on bryce harper on the phillies radio network: “i think we underpaid him”

— m (@matttadelphia) October 23, 2022

LETS GOOOOOOO @Phillies

— DeVonta Smith (@DeVontaSmith_6) October 23, 2022

The reaction at Wells Fargo Center as Phillies move on to World Series. pic.twitter.com/gVt0wKjYHh

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) October 23, 2022

RING IT!!!!! #RingTheBell | @Phillies pic.twitter.com/fnAbPHXyGR

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 23, 2022

To hell with the official merchandise, clubhouse DJ Garrett Stubbs found his own World Series hat. ⁦@Phillies⁩ #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/2l4wcY0yKv

— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) October 23, 2022

2008 World Series champions Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth are here

Rhys Hoskins says it feels like these Phillies are living 2008 again pic.twitter.com/HgO6a9GEet

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 23, 2022

• Inside The Phillies: The Phillies’ World Series Dreams are Inching Closer to Sweet Reality 

For more Philadelphia Phillies coverage, go to Inside The Phillies.