The Phillies are the PSWA’s Team of the Year
Not many squads attain “Team of the Year” status after stumbling to a 22-29 start and firing their manager in June. But the 2022 Phillies turned things around under new manager Rob Thomson, immediately winning eight straight and compiling a 65-46 record under the new skipper. The Phils squeaked into the playoffs as the last team in, an underdog to the NL Central-winning St. Louis Cardinals.
But once the postseason got underway the surprising Phils swept the Cards on the road, then upset the division rival Atlanta Braves, before finally beating the San Diego Padres in the NLCS to advance to the World Series. The team delighted and thrilled an entire city, coming within two games of the world championship. The undisputed Team of the Year, the 2022 Phillies, will be celebrated at the 118th Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet Monday, January 23, 2023.
The Phillies clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 before starting on their unexpected postseason run. Team standouts include Kyle Schwarber, who led the NL with 46 homers; 2022 NLCS MVP Bryce Harper, who hit .400 against the Padres including a dramatic eighth-inning home run that gave the Phils the win in the deciding game; and the 1-2 punch of starting pitchers Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler.
Attendees from the 2022 Phils will be announced at a future date.
The DoubleTree by Hilton in Cherry Hill will again be the site of this year’s banquet. Tickets are now available at https://phillysportswriters.com/buy-banquet-tickets/. Cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m. with doors to the main ballroom opening at 6.
By John Weber
Premiere Networks
(Photo Matt Slocum / AP Photo)