Brewers' Hoskins goes yard, gets ovation in emotional Philly return

Rhys Hoskins thought his return to Philadelphia would be emotional - and he was right.

The Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter received a loud ovation from Citizens Bank Park in his return to Philadelphia on Monday.

Following the ovation, he was thrown out at home trying to score in the fifth inning before exchanging pleasantries with ex-teammate J.T. Realmuto.

The slugger got back at the Phillies two innings later when he hit a home run off Zack Wheeler, hearing boos from the home crowd as he rounded the bases.

Unfortunately for Hoskins and the Brewers, the solo home run was the only scoring for Milwaukee in a 3-1 loss.

Hoskins played against his former team for the first time Monday since signing with the Brewers in January. He had spent his entire career with the Phillies after they drafted him in 2014.

"I'm kind of a crier. I'll probably cry at some point today," he told reporters before Monday's game, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The 31-year-old, who missed the 2023 campaign with a torn ACL, inked a two-year contract with the Brewers following six terrific campaigns with the Phillies.

Hoskins, who was extremely popular in Philadelphia during his tenure, posted an .846 OPS with 148 home runs in 667 games.

One of his signature moments with the Phillies came during the 2022 NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves when he emphatically spiked his bat after a home run off Spencer Strider. The homer helped the Phillies earn their first home playoff win since 2011.

"Yeah, definitely was (some tears in my eyes)," Hoskins said postgame, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak.

"I'd have to say that's a first for me, but I think I was able to reel it in a little bit."