PHILADELPHIA — A wave of emotion swept through Citizens Bank Park as the news broke: the entire Phillies coaching staff, executives, and fans want Kyle Schwarber back. And it’s not just a rumor. The team’s head hitting coach, Kevin Long, confirmed it at a recent press conference — a heartfelt statement that has the MLB world buzzing.
“When you have the owner wanting him, you have Dave Dombrowski wanting him, you have Rob Thomson, you have the fan base — everyone here wants Kyle back. And that includes Kyle himself,”
— Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long told ESPN.
The statement was a declaration of affection between the team and its hero. For Philadelphia, Schwarber is more than just a player; he’s an autumn fire, a symbol of fighting spirit and burning belief. Since joining the Phillies, he’s hit 42 home runs in the 2024 season, leading the team with energy and a never-give-up attitude.
But behind that aura, there’s still a lingering worry: Schwarber is about to enter a decisive phase of his future. His contract is up, and rumors of interest from teams like the Cubs, Mariners, and Rangers are making Phillies fans nervous.
However, it was Kevin Long’s words today that set the tone for change. It seems like the entire organization—from president Dave Dombrowski to head coach Rob Thomson—is doing everything it can to keep the “heart of the team” in Philadelphia.
A source familiar with the matter told the outlet that the Phillies are preparing to offer Schwarber a new multi-year contract worth “x the salary he deserves.” And if it comes to fruition, it would be one of the most iconic moves they’ve made since re-signing Bryce Harper in 2019.
Fans have their say — social media is awash with posts, memes, and videos thanking Schwarber, with the hashtag #BringBackKyle trending in Philadelphia. One fan wrote:
“Kyle is a guy who never left us in our darkest days. Now it’s time for this city to prove we didn’t leave him either.”
Looking back at Schwarber’s journey — from his fateful home run in the NLDS to his smile as he walked off the field in the season finale — it’s easy to see why he’s so beloved. He doesn’t need to say much, but every swing he makes is a declaration: Philadelphia is home.
If the Phillies do manage to keep him, it will be more than just a contract — it will be a commitment between a player and a city that loves him with all its heart.
What if it’s the other way around? If Schwarber has to leave?
Then, as Kevin Long said, “everyone here wants him back.”
It’s just that…sometimes in basketball, the things you want most are the things you have to let go of.
Either way, Kyle Schwarber — with his red No. 12 jersey and his beaming smile under the Fenway floodlights — will forever be a symbol of a Philadelphia that never succumbs.
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