On Monday, Rays outfielder Brett Phillips had one of the funnier moments we’ll see this season when he entered the game as a pitcher and threw the ball like someone who had never picked up a baseball before. On Tuesday, he reminded everyone just how impactful baseball can really be.
Before the game, Phillips had the opportunity to meet Chloe Grimes — an 8-year-old Rays fan who is battling cancer for the second time. Phillips is Grimes’ favorite player, and he was the one who caught the ceremonial first pitch from Chloe before the game.
The moment was already special, but Phillips took it to a new level in the third inning. As Chloe was being interviewed for the Rays broadcast, Phillips hit a deep home run off the far right-field catwalk.
A young girl named Chloe who is battling cancer threw out the first pitch to Brett Phillips, her favorite player, tonight at the Trop.
He homered while they were interviewing her on air ๐ฅบ pic.twitter.com/pc3PBJWLHn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 13, 2022
Just amazing.
After the game, Phillips found out that his home run took place during Chloe’s interview, and he couldn’t hold back the tears.
โChloe, youโre an inspiration. … that homer was for you." โค๏ธ
Rays outfielder Brett Phillips was choked up after hitting a home run with his biggest fan, Chloe Grimes, in attendance. Chloe, who's 8 years old, is battling cancer for the second time. pic.twitter.com/0ALFskSKw2
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2022
"๐พ๐๐ก๐ค๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช'๐ง๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ!"
Brett Phillips finds out about the magical moment that happened when Chloe was being interviewed while he hit a home run! @RaysBaseball #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/YpK1b2d5t5
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 13, 2022
He said:
“Usually, I’m not at a loss for words, but I had the chance to meet Chloe for the first time, and she’s battling cancer and she brought me these gifts. She wrote my name on a softball. Chloe, you’re an inspiration. Like, holy cow. I think that’s the farthest ball — hardest ball I’ve hit in my career. And I’m praying for you guys. Just unbelievable what they’re going through. I hope I can meet Chloe again in the future. Just what an inspiration. The energy she brought. And she did — she gave me a wristband. It says, ‘Rally for Chloe. Our princess.’ Again, what an inspiration. I’m praying for you, Chloe. Your family. You’re really cool, and that homer was for you.”
Fans loved the moment too.