As you know, there was some consternation over Rob Thomson deciding not to pinch hit for Cal Stevenson with a runner on first base, down 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday. Tom Kelly at WIP even decided to drop this scorcher and put the blame on Bryce Harper:

Topper’s explanation for the inaction was that Bryce and J.T. Realmuto were both off, so they weren’t playing. Some fans agree and some disagree. Surprise!

But what do the robots think? We turned to ChatGPT, which delivered a Pulitzer winner titled The Ninth Inning Conundrum – 

“Tom Malone sat in his recliner, staring blankly at the television as the post-game show droned on in the background. The Phillies had just lost a critical game, 6-4, and Tom was fuming. Not at the players, not even at the loss itself, but at Rob Thomson. More specifically, at the decision that, in Tom’s mind, had cost them the game.

“Why didn’t he pinch-hit for Stevenson?” Tom muttered under his breath for what felt like the hundredth time. He leaned forward, picking up the remote and angrily flipping through the channels, but nothing could distract him from the bitter taste of defeat. The ninth inning had been their chance—a runner on first, down by two, and Cal Stevenson at the plate.

Stevenson was a decent enough player, sure. But in that moment, Tom had wanted to see anyone else up there—especially with the season hanging in the balance. He had wanted to see Bryce Harper. Harper, the face of the franchise, who, despite having an off day, was always capable of producing magic in the clutch. But instead, Thomson had let Stevenson hit.

The at-bat had been quick and painful. A couple of missed swings and a weak grounder to second base, and just like that, the game was over. The crowd at Citizens Bank Park had groaned in unison, the energy that had been building in the stands deflating in an instant. Tom had felt it too—a sudden, crushing disappointment, and now, hours later, it still gnawed at him.

“Stevenson?” he repeated, shaking his head. “In the ninth? Really, Rob?”

Tom wasn’t just frustrated with Thomson, though. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Bryce Harper should have demanded to hit in that situation. Harper was the guy they all looked up to, the one who’d delivered in so many big moments before. Why hadn’t he pushed for the chance to be the hero?

A coward? The word had popped into Tom’s mind, unbidden, and now he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Was Harper afraid to step up in that moment, knowing he wasn’t having his best day? Tom didn’t want to believe it, but the thought lingered, feeding his anger and disappointment.

But deep down, Tom knew better. Harper wasn’t a coward. He’d watched the guy put his body on the line time and again for the team, for the city. Maybe it was just one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. But still, Tom couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if Harper had taken that at-bat.

Tom’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a text from his friend Mike, another die-hard Phillies fan.

Mike: “Can’t believe that 9th inning. What was Thomson thinking? Stevenson over Harper??”

Tom sighed, typing out a response.

Tom: “I know. Still can’t believe it. Should’ve let Bryce hit, off day or not.”

He stared at the screen for a moment before adding:

Tom: “Do you think Harper should’ve demanded to hit?”

Mike’s reply was quick.

Mike: “Nah, man. Harper’s a team player. He trusts Thomson’s call, even if it was the wrong one.”

Tom leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath. Mike was right. Harper wasn’t the type to undermine his manager, even if it meant sacrificing a chance to play the hero. But that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. The loss stung, and Tom knew it would for a while.

As the evening wore on, Tom’s anger began to fade, replaced by a weary acceptance. This was baseball, after all—a game of highs and lows, of triumphs and heartbreaks. He couldn’t stay mad forever. The season wasn’t over yet, and there would be more chances for redemption, for both Harper and the Phillies.

But one thing was certain: Tom would never forget that ninth inning, and he’d always wonder what might have been if Rob Thomson had made a different decision.”

Well hopefully it doesn’t linger. They go out and smash the injury-riddled Braves this week and no one is talking about the ALLEGED cravenness of the manager and star player.