Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips got the start in center for Tuesday nationally televised game, and you had a feeling that ESPN wanted to showcase him.
Phillips wore one AirPod out to his position in the bottom of the second inning, and immediately showed Karl Ravech, Tim Kurkjian, and Eduardo Perez why so many people around the game consider him to be one of the most enjoyable to be around.
Much was made on his game-winning hit in Game 4 of the World Series last season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the broadcasters wanted to know how his life changed after that play.
Of course the outfielder had a great line.
“The craziest thing happened…people actually recognized me in my hometown.” – @Brett_Phillips8 on how things changed after his Game 4 heroics. #Rays
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) March 2, 2021
Phillips agreed to try and convince Randy Arozarena, who was wearing the other AirPod in left field, to engage in a dance battle. Willy Adames also had to tell Phillips to quiet down in center.
But the highlight of the appearance came after the outfielder came back to the dugout, when the ESPN crew had him go over to manager Kevin Cash and engage in conversation.
This live Brett Phillips is awesome…Cash actually…need more of this! “Why do you think he’s playing?” @SportsCenter @mlb pic.twitter.com/KDpVSCTeWn
— Dave Strutt (@dstrutt14) March 2, 2021
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
