Tuesday’s Game 3 of the 2022 World Series was a night to remember for Philadelphia Phillies fans.
They witnessed how their team absolutely punished Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. for five home runs.
They also watched left-hander Ranger Suarez and the back of the Phillies bullpen dominate Houston’s vaunted lineup.
Citizens Bank Park was packed and loud: the sea of red made its return, and Philly legends of several fields (music, film, football, basketball, and more) showed up and supported the team.
The night also had some very special guests related to the institution: some of the heroes of the 2008 World Series made their appearance, too.
The Phillies last won the Fall Classic in 2008, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
They returned a year later but lost to the New York Yankees, and remained highly competitive until 2011.
“2008 @Phillies legends were supporting the current squad for Game 3. #WorldSeries,” the league tweeted, with a cool picture.
2008 @Phillies legends were supporting the current squad for Game 3. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/sFTFbJ895i
— MLB (@MLB) November 2, 2022
From left to right: Brad Lidge, Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz, and Ryan Howard.
A Fantastic Foursome
Lidge was the closer of that 2008 team and got the last out of the series, striking out Eric Hinske.
Utley was one of the best hitting second baseman in MLB from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, winning four Silver Slugger awards and belting 259 career homers.
He played in Philadelphia from 2003 to 2015.
Ruiz played for a decade with the Phillies, from 2006 to 2016, and was the starting catcher on that 2008 World Series-winning squad.
Howard was one of the most feared power hitters of his time, with 382 career blasts, an MVP award with the Phils, and plenty more achievements.
It’s really hard for Phillies fans to look at that picture and not feel nostalgia.
Those are four authentic Phillies legends.
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