<\/p>\n
The novelty of Rhys Hoskins returning to Citizens Bank Park has worn off. He visited his old home six times with the Milwaukee Brewers the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
But Hoskins, who played six seasons with the Phillies \u2013 in good times and bad \u2013 always draws a crowd when he returns to town.<\/p>\n
This time, it\u2019s with the Cleveland Guardians for a weekend series.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always special,\u201d he said in front of a gaggle of reporters before Friday night\u2019s game. \u201cI have a lot of memories in this ballpark and this city. It\u2019s always fun to relive those a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoskins, 33, started at first base for Cleveland. He entered the game hitting just .185 with four homers and 18 RBIs in 40 games.<\/p>\n
Maybe a return to the park in which he clubbed 80 of his 190 career regular-season homers \u2013 and one very memorable postseason homer in the 2022 NLDS against Atlanta — would put a little charge in his bat. With Milwaukee, he hit three homers in six games in Philadelphia the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great place to hit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
During his time in Philadelphia, Hoskins endured a rebuild that culminated with a NL Championship and a trip to the World Series in 2022. He received a nice ovation before Friday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Northeast is a different beast, especially when it comes to their sports — in the best way,\u201d he said. \u201cIt can be hard on us players. But we\u2019d much rather have it be hard than have an indifferent fan base. It\u2019s a beast here. That\u2019s the reality, especially how good this team has played the last few years. It\u2019s always a challenge to come here, but it\u2019s always fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rob Thomson was a first-year manager when the Phillies went to the World Series in 2022. He was fired in April after this year\u2019s club got off to a 9-19 start. Hoskins said he recently texted Thomson.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a classy man and I\u2019m super grateful to him for the memories,\u201d Hoskins said.<\/p>\n
Hoskins hit .223 with 38 homers, 125 RBIs and a .732 OPS in 221 games with the Brewers in 2024 and 2025. He missed significant time last season with a thumb injury and lingered on the free-agent market over the winter. He eventually signed a one-year deal with Cleveland worth $1.5 million.<\/p>\n
Asked if he believed there was a chance of coming back to the Phillies over the winter, Hoskins was blunt: \u201cNo,” he said. The Phillies have a first baseman in Bryce Harper and a designated hitter in Kyle Schwarber.<\/p>\n
Down the road, Hoskins wouldn\u2019t mind coming back to the team that drafted and developed him if the chance ever arises.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m human,\u201d he said. \u201cI know the desires and the thoughts I had when I was a player here, a young player here, about playing with one team my whole career. Getting a chance to end a career here would be pretty special, too. I\u2019ll never close that door. It\u2019ll shake out the way it\u2019s supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n