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Jeff Hoffman Reflects on Time in Philadelphia, Expecting Some Boos on Friday
By Luke Arcaini
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Jeff Hoffman returns to Philadelphia for the first time since signing with the Toronto Blue Jays last offseason.
The Phillies saw Hoffman up in Toronto last week, but tonight is Hoffman’s first time being back inside the stadium since Game 2 of the NLDS vs. the Mets.
Hoffman’s career took off in Philadelphia. The Phillies took a chance on him a few years back, and it paid off. Hoffman was brought to Citizens Bank Park back on April 21st, 2023, to throw batting practice to Bryce Harper. Harper saw Hoffman’s stuff, and told the team that he needed to be in the pros. Hoffman’s slider, which was a new pitch at the time, impressed Harper. The rest is history.
Hoffman said that he grabbed dinner with a few of his old Phillies teammates on Thursday night. He said he still keeps in touch with a lot them, with the most out of all of them being Matt Strahm, his old throwing partner.
Yeah, I play catch now with one of our pitching coaches. I don’t know if anybody will ever, ever come close to the catch partner that (Matt Strahm) was. It’s kind of crazy, because me and him, neither of us throw a lot pregame, so I kind of just fell into it. And the first day I was here, he was like ‘hey, I need a catch partner, I don’t throw a lot’ ‘perfect, i don’t throw a lot either,’ and it kind of just took off from there
Hoffman’s had his ups and downs with Toronto through the first two months of his 3-year, $33M contract. He holds a 5.70 ERA on the season with 17 saves. He dazzled a 1.35 ERA in the month of April, had an abysmal 13.50 ERA in May, and is starting to find it again on the mound, sporting a 3.86 in the month of June.
Rhys Hoskins returned to Citizens Bank Park a few weeks ago for the second time, and got a big ovation, until he hit two homers against the Phillies. Hoffman knows he wasn’t here as long as Rhys, and is expecting some boos tonight if he makes his way into the game.
I mean, I’ve seen the guys that have come back to get positive receptions….this place does something special to each guy that puts on a Phillies uniform. I’m excited to be back in the atmosphere…I know the fans want the Phillies to win, so I’m expecting to probably hear some boos, and that’s fine. Like I said, I appreciate the fans for what they offer, and their Phillies fans through and through. And you know, that’s what makes this place so special
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com