When the Phillies made a splash at the trade deadline by acquiring closer Jhoan Duran, they didn’t just get a pitcher; they brought in a showstopper with a walk-out that’s stealing hearts at Citizens Bank Park.
Duran has been nothing short of thrilling, racking up three out of his six saves during home games, where the atmosphere is charged with energy. As the lights dim, signaling his entrance, fans whip out their phone flashlights, transforming the stadium into a sea of light. The sound system erupts with a remix of Farruko’s “El Incomprendido” and Pitbull’s “Hot,” giving the entrance a massive boost. And just for kicks, the screens flash a massive tarantula, paying tribute to his fun nickname, “Durantula.”
Baseball pitcher and Philly favorite Ranger Suárez shared his thoughts, calling it one of the very best entrances he’s seen during closing moments of a game.
However, during Tuesday’s game aired on NBC Sports Philadelphia, fans were left let down. Instead of soaking in Duran’s full entrance, the network opted to cover it with ads, leading to an outcry from fans and Philly sports personalities.
Listening to the complaints, NBC Sports Philadelphia is switching things up. They’ve promised to broadcast Duran’s complete walk-up experience during evening home games for the remainder of the season, kicking this off Friday night when the Phillies take on the Washington Nationals.
In a statement, the network acknowledged the enthusiasm of devoted Phillies fans and emphasized that they would finally get to see this captivating spectacle in its entirety.
While the specifics of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s solution haven’t been disclosed, it appears they’ll be adjusting where ads go and changing the timing of breaks so they can dedicate time for Duran’s entrance without interruptions.
Exciting News: Cole Hamels Returns to Commentary
In an added twist, former Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels is back in the broadcast booth this Sunday. He’s joining Tom McCarthy and analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. to bring energy to the game.
Hamels has made a few appearances so far this season, including one on alumni weekend, where the team unfortunately fell to the Detroit Tigers. Still, he was very much impressed with Duran’s performance in the save preceding that game.
As Hamels put it, “He’s electric.” He noted how Duran brings a punch to the team, thanks to his 65% ground ball rate, far exceeding the Phillips bullpen’s 34% rate.
For fans looking forward to catching weekend Phillies games, Amaro will join the commentary on Saturday, while McCarthy will team up with Ben Davis for Friday’s lineup.
As always, stay updated with upcoming games and news about the Phillies!
