Tampa Bay Rays utility player Brett Phillips is one of the most likable personalities in the MLB. He is also not known for hitting home runs, which made what he did in the Rays' recent win even more incredible.
Prior to Tampa Bay's game against the Oakland A's, Phillips met a young fan battling cancer for a second time. The fan, eight-year old Chloe Grimes, gave her favorite player a bracelet that read, “Rally for Chloe our Princess Warrior.”
Some players might promise a young fan a home run in that scenario. But Phillips is not known for hitting homers, so he instead promised Chloe that he would do something special on the field for her. He expressed after the game that he knew something good was going to happen that night. But even he couldn't have predicted the magical moment that ensued.
“I told her she gave me her power, and she sure did. It’s just crazy. For me, it’s a God thing. … Sports are just so cool for moments like that.”
And it seems as if Chloe truly did give him power. Brett Phillips homered in the third inning while wearing the bracelet that Chloe had given him.
Even more amazing is the fact that Chloe was being interviewed by a Rays reporter during the home run. Her reaction is priceless.
Chloe Grimes, an 8-year-old @raysbaseball fan who is currently battling cancer, was on the call when her favorite player, Brett Phillips, hit a homer. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5HGc8lfqSs
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 13, 2022
During Phillips's at-bat, she was asked who her favorite player was. She replied by stating, “Brett Phillips.” Then asked why she liked him, she replied by declaring, “because he has the best smile, he's always having fun and I like how he does his airplane.”
Then, right on cue, Phillips sent a towering shot to right field. Chloe exclaimed the following words:
“Brett Phillips just hit a home run!”
The Rays went on to win the game 9-8 in dramatic fashion.
Brett Phillips discussed what it was like to meet Chloe after the big win.
“Perspective and appreciation for what I get to do on a daily basis, show up to play Major League Baseball and do this for a living. And you have a young girl who’s 8 years old, battling cancer for a second time, and she can smile and enjoy her life? It’s crazy.”
He continued by thanking her for coming to the game and wishing her the best moving forward.
“Chloe’s such an inspiration, and I wish her all the best. I’m praying for her and her family. I can’t imagine. It puts perspective on my career and my life and how I go about things. Just continue to pour love and respect just as she did. Going through what she’s going through, what an inspiration. I hope she comes out of this stronger, and I believe she will. I know she will. And I hope to cross paths with her again sometime soon and thank her for the power.”
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