Rhys Hoskins made his big league debut on August 10 this past season, a late addition to a team destined for fifth place. Eighteen home runs later, the marketing department was scrambling to put together a promotion around the 24-year-old fifth round draft pick who, by September 15, had given people a reason to come watch a 57-89 team finish out the year.
They called it the Rhys Lightning Ticket Bundle, and it gave you the chance to attend a Phillies game during a series against the A’s, with a free Hoskins t-shirt to boot. It came at the perfect time, on the heels of another Hoskins power surge—not only had he just been named NL Rookie of the Month, he’d also hit six home runs in the last six games to enter the weekend.