Phils throw their hats in the 'pen for HRs

This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter. Reporter Paul Casella is filling in on this edition. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA -- Though local Phillies fans likely weren't watching the NESN broadcast during last Thursday's game against the Red Sox, anyone who was saw a quick shot during a Kyle Schwarber at-bat of hats scattered across the ground in Philadelphia's bullpen.

Maybe others have noticed it while watching a game at the ballpark or on other broadcasts over the past couple years.

So what's it all about?

Well, the game is simple: If you think the guy at the plate is going to hit a home run, you toss your hat on the ground. If he homers, you win.

If he doesn't homer but gets a hit or has a productive plate appearance (walk, sacrifice, advances the runner, etc.), you get your hat back and can keep playing. If he makes an out, you lose the right to throw your hat for the night.

"It just keeps everything fun and light," reliever Orion Kerkering said. "It's all fun and games. Helps make it so not everything has to feel so serious."

As for that Schwarber at-bat, everyone got their hat back after he roped a 412-foot bases-loaded double off the wall in center field.

"Obviously, we all would have tied there, so that one was just like, 'Hey, everyone throw their hat and let's will this to happen,'" Kerkering said. "Almost worked."

Despite Strahm's seemingly foolproof methods, it was José Ruiz's name that came up most frequently when asked who's had the most success this season. He's wasted no time putting his prognostication abilities to work since being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 3.

"Even with him joining us late, Ruiz has hit the most," Strahm said. "He's got three or four this year already."

José Alvarado also got some love.

"Ruiz is good with it; Alvy is pretty good, too," Kerkering said. "But Hoffman had a big one last year."

"Oh yeah, I had a pretty good one," Hoffman said. "One of the playoff games, I hit multiple in the same game. Called one, gone. Got my hat back, tossed it again -- gone. It was fun."

But Hoffman's biggest win almost came earlier in the year. There's another little wrinkle to the game, which was initially introduced in 2023 by nine-time All-Star -- and 15-year veteran -- Craig Kimbrel during his lone season with the Phillies.

"If you throw your hat and, against all odds, someone's homer hits your hat, then you win a Rolex," Kerkering said. "Everyone chips in."

Nobody has won a Rolex yet, but there was a close call last season when a home run ball landed directly between hats tossed by Hoffman and Dylan Covey. It missed each by less than a foot.

Some guys are more eager to see that happen than others, though.

"Here's the thing: The amount you pay toward the Rolex is based on your service time and your pay," said Strahm, who became the service time leader in the Phillies' bullpen when Kimbrel left for Baltimore. "It was all fun and games when the guy making the most money with the most service time made the rule.

“But now, it's me, so I'm like, 'Uhhh, Mr. Kimbrel, we might need to have a little conversation if someone's hat gets hit.'"