CLEARWATER, Fla. — Around 1 p.m. Friday, Darick Hall saw Rhys Hoskins standing at his locker in the Phillies clubhouse. It was the first time he’d seen him since Thursday, when the veteran first baseman tore the ACL in his left knee trying to field a groundball.
A lot had changed in those 24 hours. Shortly after the injury, the Phillies announced that Hoskins would be undergoing surgery and would miss the rest of the season. On Friday morning, baseball operations president Dave Dombrowski announced that Hall, a 27-year-old power-hitting first baseman, would replace him.
It was a difficult situation to deal with. Hall had quietly fought his way through the minor leagues for six seasons waiting for his opportunity. The time had finally come, but it was at the expense of his friend and mentor.
He walked over and hugged his teammate.
“Rhys, I’m so sorry,” he said. “It’s really tough.”
Hoskins would not accept the apology.
“Actually, I’m happy for you,” he said.
Hall was moved by his teammate’s response, but wasn’t surprised. Hoskins always has been. When Hall was in minor league spring practice, he watched Hoskins batting practice. He saw a player who was patient and made good decisions. So he started asking him questions about his approach, and Hoskins always took the time to answer.
Hall was selected in the 14th round of the 2016 draft. He wasn’t a top prospect or a household name, but Hoskins made a point of learning him. Years later, when Hall made his big league debut in June 2022, he entered the Phillies clubhouse and found his locker next to his friend’s.
Hall, who was called up as the backup batsman-designate after Bryce Harper’s broken thumb, took advantage of this. He would question Hoskins about the game, about the clubhouse, about becoming a great player. And as always, Hoskins would give him a thoughtful reply.
“It was easy, but taking the time to help meant everything to me,” Hall said.
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Hall credits Hoskins with shaping who he is as a player today, which made Thursday all the more painful. He was not at BayCare Ballpark at the time of the injury; He was at a local hospital with his wife, Ashley, who was having surgery. While sitting in the recovery room, he saw the clips of Hoskins circulating on Twitter.
He couldn’t believe what he saw. He tried to watch the clips in slow motion to see how Hoskins injured himself, but it didn’t bring any clarity. It was an unusual non-contact injury. There was no point in making it.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Hall said. “As athletes, we want to compete at a high level. We put all that preparation into our bodies and time into the weight room and when you get out there and something like this happens it just breaks your heart because you know all the work he put into it. It’s really sad.
Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is taken off the field after injuring himself trying to land a ground ball. … Read moreChris O’Meara / AP
When Hall received the news that he was getting the most playing time at first base this season, it felt bittersweet. But he sees it as an opportunity to step up for his team. And he thinks Hoskins feels the same way.
“He basically gave me his blessing to do it,” Hall said. “And that is the ultimate mark of respect. As a player, he puts his heart into it. He knows we need people who stand up.
“We play similar positions and he can’t do that anymore [this year]. So it’s my opportunity to move the needle forward for the team. It’s not personal. I will move the needle as far as possible. I’m not trying to replace Rhys. I will be Darick Hall. i feel ready I feel like I’m the best I’ve ever been. Unfortunately, there are injuries. But if I have the opportunity to help the team, that’s our goal.”
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