A Postcard From the Phillies’ Jolly Good Weekend in London (2024)

Dear, Phillies Fans Who Weren’t Able To Attend the Phillies’ London Series:

Greetings from the land of the King, fish and chips and warm pints (full disclosure, the author of this story did NOT go to London, either, but this is for effect so just go with it…)! What a ripping good time we had here across the pond watching our hometown nine take on the Mets over the weekend. So much happened that I wanted to tell you about!

First, the Phillies did not win both games, but they almost did. After blowing New York out 7-2 thanks to bombs from Bryce Harper, Whit Merrifield (!!!) and Nick Castellanos on Saturday, the bullpen blew late 3-0 and 4-3 leads, and we lost on Sunday 6-5.

SO CLOSE! But even though we didn’t win both games, it was still a smashing good time. Here’s some of what you missed:

I don’t know how long it as after they de-boarded the plane, but most of the Phils’ coaching staff showed up at the Philly-themed Passyunk Avenue bar and restaurant in London to usher in the weekend.

Finally, it was game time. As you know, this place where they played baseball this weekend is actually a football stadium most of the time. They love football over here. No, not the good football, the European kind. Yeah, I don’t get it either, but they do.

Harper, ever The Showman, walked to the plate with new walk-up music, blasting the Spice Girls over the PA system just before he blasted a solo home run in his second plate appearance of the series over the right-field wall. Upon returning to the dugout, MV3 recreated a soccer goal-scoring celebration that set the place on fire.

Of course, we were all terrified that Harper was going to tear a knee ligament or something, but he stood up under his own power after and appeared unharmed, so all was well!

Whit Merrifield, who had accumulated just four RBIs all season in the States, knocked in four runs in the two games here in London, punctuated by a huge three-run blast in Saturday’s win.

Ranger Suarez was awesome once again, the bullpen was fresh and Castellanos hit a late dinger to ice things. Saturday night on the town was epic.

During Sunday’s game, the Phanatic ignored the voices in his head screaming at him to dump hot tea all over the ESPN broadcast team. He’s really maturing.

The boys jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, but we had some rare bullpen issues in this one. Taijuan Walker pitched his best game of the season, but Gregory Soto allowed the Mets to tie it. Then, in the 8th inning, David Dahl, who is not related to famed British author Roald Dahl (at least we don’t think he is), appeared to deliver the game-winning homer for the Phils.

But Jose Alvarado was wild and gave up 3 runs in the 9th. The offense almost pulled it out late, scoring a run to make it 6-5 and had the bases loaded with just one out and the red-hot Castellanos at the plate. Alas, the final play of the weekend was kind of a bummer, but at least you get to hear a British guy call a ridiculous game-ending double play.

Apparently, no baseball game has ended with that specific play since 1912, so in these rare instances when they actually lose, the Phils at least do it with some style!

All in all, it was an entertaining weekend watching the Phils in London. Maybe next year they can play a whole week’s worth of games here and let everyone explore the country a little more. Harper himself seems very open to that idea.

Wish You Were Here,

Phillies Fans in London