The Phillies Wrap up the Season with Red October

For the third straight year, Phillies fans packed into Citizens Bank Park to watch post-season baseball. The stadium, as always, was electric. Passionate fans of the team sold out tickets and were prepared to cheer on the team. The game against the L.A. Dodgers on Thursday, October 9 ended their season. After going 96-66, with designated hitter Kyle Schwarber having an MVP-caliber season, fans believed that this was finally the year their team would bring it home. Unfortunately for the Phillies, their dreams fell short once again. The pressure of the game and Dodgers close to victory led to the devastating loss. This pain is always sad to see.

After the Phillies' 2022 Cinderella run, the team never lived up to expectations again. In 2023, closer Craig Kimbrel's late-game collapse against the Arizona Diamondbacks crushed all hopes of another World Series run. In 2024, the Phillies suffered an early exit to the Mets after a strong regular season. Once again, in 2025, the Phillies fell short to the Los Angeles Dodgers in an extended inning thriller. Every year, fans wait for the chance to watch their beloved team reach the top. However, more often than not, they are disappointed.

The Phillies' anticipated postseason was cut short after a crucial error by pitcher Orion Kerkering. In the 11th inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, Kerkering, after a hurried decision, threw a ground ball to home instead of first base to allow the winning run to score. The costly mistake allowed the Dodgers to win 2-1 in extra innings. Phillies manager, Rob Thomson, stated that, "he just got caught up in the moment a little bit."

While the throw was disappointing, Kerkering's teammates showed him support. After his game-ending mistake, Realmuto and Castellanos move to comfort Kerkering. His teammates confess to understanding his feelings, and believing all he needed in that moment was fellowship.

Fans, teammates, and coaches express empathy towards the young reliever, while other fans express hatred for the player and demand that they cut him. However, if there is something in common between these fans, it is passion. Red October isn't just a term for post-season baseball in Philadelphia; it has become a symbol of unity from a fanbase that refuses to back down and continues to have hope for the future. Hopefully, next season, the team is able to redeem themselves with a better ending to the season. Phillies fans do not break their spirit even when the team faces loss, because they believe that the team will restore its glory in the future.