Ex Red Sox Slugger Collects Career Milestone Versus Yankees

Boston Red Sox fans will always wonder how different things could have been if the team decided to sign former first baseman/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to a long-term deal after spending a little over two months in a Red Sox uniform.

Acquired by the Red Sox in a trade deadline deal with the Washington Nationals in 2021, Schwarber quickly became a fan favorite after batting .291 and belting seven home runs in 41 games and establishing himself as a leader on a team that made it to the postseason later that fall.

Since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2022 offseason, the three-time All-Star has hit 167 home runs and has driven in 384 runs while being a key piece in Philadelphia’s offense. Recently named MVP of the All-Star game after defeating some of baseball’s most feared sluggers in a thrilling home run swing off, Schwarber added another milestone to his impressive career resume on Friday against the New York Yankees.

Entering the game on a post All-Star game power surge, Schwarber blasted two home runs against Yankees pitching and helped lead Philadelphia to a lopsided 12-5 victory. True to form, his first home run of the day was the 1,000th hit of Schwarber’s 11-year playing career. He was 3-for-5 on the evening and is batting .255 with 36 home runs this season.

The impending free agent was a recent guest on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast and remembered his brief time in Boston with fondness. Asked by Rob Bradford if his nickname “Kyle from Waltham” continues to follow him to this day, Schwarber said he still hears fans chanting it despite only playing 41 games with the Red Sox.

“Just being around, playing different places, you’ll hear it get shouted from the stands,” Schwarber said on the 310 To Left Podcast. “Every day it seems like. We could be anywhere, and you’ll hear ‘Kyle from Waltham’”.