With the Phillies about a third of the way through the 2011 season Philthy Stuff will look back at our favorite moments from a memorable season so far.
He may be racking up almost as many frequent flyer miles as Vance Worley lately, but there’s one thing John Mayberry, Jr. has on his resume that the Phillies can’t take away from him.
On Opening Day, Phils fans stood on their feet as Mayberry walked up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out as a tie game was in the bottom of the ninth. The Astros’ Brandon Lyon threw an 89 mph fastball for a ball. Then another that was fouled off. An 88 mph cutter was called a ball. Another 89 mph fastball was fouled away.
Then, on the fourth fastball of the series, the ball floated to center field and landed just past the reach of Michael Bourn. Ben Francisco scored as the team swarmed Mayberry at first base for bringing them their first victory of the season, and in walk-off fashion none the less.
The Phillies are no stranger to high-anxiety games and heart-stopping finishes, but it was Mayberry’s first ever walk-off hit and one he’s not likely to forget any time soon.
Mayberry has been part of the Phillies organization since 2009 and made his first post-season roster in 2010. This is the first year he had made the Opening Day 25-man roster after an impressive showing in Spring Training after picking up some extra innings following Domonic Brown’s hand injury.
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But lately he has been shuffled between Triple-A Lehigh Valley and the Phightins.
