Brett Phillips had every reason to feel the weight of the world as he stepped up to the plate on Saturday night. Down by one, bottom of the ninth in Game 4 of the World Series with a chance to tie or win the game, he knew he was not the guy the Tampa Bay Rays wanted at bat. Phillips found his way onto the Rays’ roster for his defense and pinch running rather than his batting, and after going hitless in two previous at-bats during the team’s playoff rounds, it was without a doubt the most significant moment of the young player’s career. As the New York Times put it, “There was no logical reason for Phillips to succeed, yet he swore he was confident.”
