Forty-five thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven fans filled Citizens Bank Park Saturday evening. As the National League Division Series matchup between the two best teams in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, was set to begin, feelings of anticipation filled the ballpark.
In the bottom of the second inning, as J.T. Realmuto hit an opposite-way two-RBI triple to take the lead, fans were on their feet, rally towels waving for their Fightin’ Phils.
Forty-eight hours later, the Phillies walked off the field to the sounds of boos and jeering from the same fans. Everything changed, and yet nothing did. The Phillies did not show up when it counted most in either game against the Dodgers, so the fans let them have it.
Much has been said over the years by the athletes who have represented Philadelphia. Many have thrived under the pressure placed upon them by the fandom. Many others have not. In his four years in Philadelphia, Nick Castellanos has had a roller coaster of a relationship with the fans.
The Castellanos Situation
At the beginning of the 2022 season, the Phillies signed Nick Castellanos to a five-year, $100 million contract. During Game 5 of the World Series that season, a fan reportedly accosted his family in the stands.
Over the years, many fans had become endeared with Castellanos’ quirky plays in the outfield, his bringing his son Liam to games, and his cocky, witty personality. His 82 home runs and middle-of-the-pack OPS have not hurt either over his four years with the team.
Things seemed to change, however, in 2025 with Castellanos. Throughout his first three years with the Phillies, Castellanos would interact with the fans in right field after every out, putting up how many outs were on his fingers, getting a response from the fans, as if they were in the outfield with him. This season, however, Castellanos stopped doing so. A rift seemingly formed between him and manager Rob Thomson after Castellanos was benched earlier in the season, and some have speculated as to whether that rift has continued into the locker room.
And then, Monday night, Castellanos made a comment that seemingly confirms his feelings on the Phillies’ fandom.
At least according to Castellanos, the energy at Citizens Bank Park cuts both ways. And lately, it has left him sounding resigned.
Harper’s Defense
Asked about that dual nature on Tuesday, Bryce Harper rang a much different tale.
“I don't feel that way. I love playing at the Bank. I love our fans. I boo myself when I get out. I'm the same way. I trust in what they do. They show up for us every day, day in and day out. So if we deserve to be booed, if we deserve to -- they spend their hard-earned dollar to come watch us play; they expect greatness out of us and I expect greatness out of myself and my teammates as well. If they believe that, I don't know what's going through their head or mindset. We've got some of the best fans in baseball, and they make me play better. So I enjoy it. I will probably get booed tomorrow night, too. So it's kind of the same thing. It's, like, what are we talking about? Same stuff.” Bryce Harper on Tuesday per MLB
Harper has always been one to endear himself to the fans. Some call it pandering. Some say that Harper “really gets” Philadelphia. Either way, he has made his feelings on the matter very clear. He does not try to tune out the noise or even tolerate it; he channels it.
So where is the truth?
The Philadelphia fan base has always been a harsh one to opponents. Insert Santa Claus or battery reference here. The same has been true for players when they are not performing their best. The reason for this is simple: more than any other fanbase, Philadelphia fans care.
They watch every game and know exactly what each player is capable of. The Phillies have benefited greatly from that home-field advantage this season, owning the best home record in baseball at 55-26.
And when those players don’t live up to that potential? That is when the boos come. Which begs the question: do the Phillies deserve the boos?
Yes. They do.
In 18 innings of postseason baseball thus far, the Phillies have managed to put together 13 hits and only six runs. Castellanos is 1-for-6 with his double in the ninth inning on Monday, his sole base hit. Harper, meanwhile, is 1-for-7.
When the hometown heroes combine to barely hit the Mendoza line in their first two home games of the postseason, the fans are going to negatively respond, when a reliever trots in to a flamethrower-and-lightshow entrance while the team’s losing, the fans are going to boo.
It is because the fans are passionate and they care.
Some players get it. Others do not.
Should the Phillies make it back to Philadelphia for Game Five, 45,000 fans will show up once again. They will boo, they will cheer, and they will still care. That is Philadelphia.
