Philadelphia Phillies 32-year-old slugger Kyle Schwarber is looking to write another chapter in what has been a magical season for the ages.
With less than three weeks remaining in the regular season, Schwarber has his sights set firmly on making franchise history by breaking former Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard’s franchise record of 58 home runs in a single season.
Schwarber, who is in the midst of a career season, gave fans at Citizens Bank Park a huge thrill when, on September 13th, with a 1-1 count, he homered off an 86-mile-per-hour slider thrown by Kansas City Royals pitcher Justin Hagenman, which at the time tied the game 4-4 in an eventual 8-6 Phillies win.
By clubbing his 51st home run of the season and his 52nd the next day, Schwarber now sits six home runs shy of tying Howard’s franchise record, which he set back in 2006. However, he would have to stay hot as the Phillies only have 12 regular-season games remaining.
Earlier this year, when asked about the record, Schwarber replied.
“I‘m not trying to go out there and think about records or anything like that,” he said. “I’m more just trying to go out on a daily basis and help these guys win. If that happens, it’s great. If it doesn’t, that’s great.”
This veteran, who will more than likely win the NL MVP award, also leads the majors with 126 RBI’s and sits second in the National League with 103 runs scored.
Most importantly for Schwarber is that the win against the Royals shrank the Phillies’ magic number to 1 for clinching the NL East Division.
“That’d be great. It’d be fantastic,” Schwarber said of clinching. “Our fans have been great all year. So if we can do it at home in front of them, let them celebrate with us as well, that would be a real cool thing for us.”
Schwarber Nears Phillies Franchise Home Run Record
Schwarber Set to Become a Free Agent This Winter
Last off-season, the Phillies and Schwarber couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension. Needless to say, his value continues to skyrocket as he will have several teams bidding aggressively for his services.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, when the topic of re-signing with the Phillies was brought up, Schwarber replied, “If something works out here, it work out here. There’s interest on both sides. I’m sure whenever we get to the end of the year, and hopefully it’s us holding a trophy at the end, I’m sure there’ll be conversations. Sometimes hopes and dreams don’t turn out the way they’re meant to be.”
Schwarber Made Home Run History vs. Braves
Schwarber made baseball history this past year when, back on August 28th, he became the 21st major leaguer and fourth in Phillies franchise history to hit four home runs in a game, which he did during a 19-4 win at Citizens Bank Park against the Atlanta Braves.
When it was all said and done, he went 4 for 6 with 9 RBI’s.
“It’s pretty cool,” Schwarber said. “It was a fun night, great atmosphere. Wouldn’t want to do it with a better group of guys that we have here.”
Schwarber’s first home run, which traveled 450 feet, came in the first inning off a curveball thrown by Cal Quantrill, while the second long ball came in the fourth and was a two-run blast mashed off an Austin Cox curveball, which was quickly followed by MVP chants.
Far from done, Schwarber was just getting started as he victimized Cox once again when in the fifth inning, this veteran slugger tagged a three-run homer, which was followed two innings later by another three-run homer with this one coming off Wander Suero to give the Phillies an 18-4 lead.
This achievement of four home runs in one game has put Schwarber in an exclusive club consisting of Ed Delahanty (July 13, 1896 vs. Chicago Colts), Chuck Klein (July 10, 1936 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates), and Mike Schmidt (April 17, 1976 vs. Chicago Cubs) as the only Phillies players to hit four home runs in a game.
Realistically, the odds of Schwarber even tying Howard’s home run record are pretty long, but no one should bet against this slugger who is truly having a season to remember.
Main Image: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
