Earlier this summer, South Carolina baseball legend Whit Merrifield was cut by the Philadelphia Phillies. The three-time MLB All-Star struggled in a utility role with the Phillies, but instead of giving him the opportunity to work things out or changing his role, the organization released him. He was quickly scooped up by the rival Atlanta Braves, and it didn't take long before he made the Phillies pay.
Merrifield's numbers have been better for the Braves as he has played as a primary starter in place of the injured Ozzie Albies at second base. But on Tuesday night, the 2010 College World Series hero got some direct revenge on the Phillies in what became a 3-1 win for his Braves squad.
Going 2-3 with a triple, double, and a walk, Merrifield was one of the best players in the game for the Braves. He scored a run (the same amount the entire Phillies team scored) and did his job on defense at second base. With his two extra-base hits, Merrifield logged a stat that might make Philadelphia baseball fans sick: during over 3 months with the Phillies, he had 0 games with multiple extra-base hits, but in 1 game against his former team, he has 1 game with multiple extra-base hits.
Merrifield reached base three times in the game, marking the fourth time he accomplished that feat in 20 games with the Braves. He managed to get on base three times in a game with the Phillies four times in 53 contests.
In a postgame interview with Bally Sports sideline reporter Hanna Yates, Merrifield acknowledged the fact that he relished the opportunity to beat up on his former team.
"I would be lying if I said it didn't feel good to play well against a team that told you that you weren't good enough to play for them. I do love those guys. I wish them the best, just a little bit less when they play the Braves."
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 21, 2024
Whit Merrifield after tonights W⤵️ pic.twitter.com/sufzhSmNMY
Merrifield and the Braves have two more games against the Phillies on Wednesday and Thursday and four more next week. The two series will be critical in the NL East divisional race as both teams have World Series aspirations.