A Phillies fan went viral for all the wrong reasons earlier this month when a home run ball close their seat was snatched by another fan who returned to his seat to give the ball to a young fan he attended the game with.
The fan who initially sat closer to the ball took exception to the move and marched over to the group to get the ball back. The man who initially ended up with the ball relented and passed it back in what was an awkward exchange. You can watch the moment below:
Who is in the wrong here? I think it’s pretty clear. pic.twitter.com/51j99s3Of4
— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) September 6, 2025
The internet, and even ESPN's SportsCenter anchors, had their day going off on the woman for her lack of perceived ballpark etiquette. It all worked out in the end, as the young fan who had the ball taken was given a new ball and a prize pack from the Marlins staff. Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader, who hit the controversial home run, sent him home with a signed bat too.
Nick Castellanos, another Phillies outfielder, weighed in on the moment with a different approach in an appearance on the On Base With Mookie Betts podcast.
"Whenever I'm playing catch or I go, I always aim for a kid," he said via Bleacher Report. "You always have that ambitious adult sometimes that will come and grab it but when I see that I don't just see a ball. I see a very frustrated lady for years that probably felt like she was getting the s--- end of the stick. And now this thing happened, and she's like, 'I'm not finishing second here. I need this for me.'"
"I see a very frustrated lady... that felt like she's been getting the s--t end of the stick"
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 18, 2025
Nick Castellanos reacts to viral Phillies fan confrontation 👀 pic.twitter.com/d8zWQFNcxa
Betts and Castellanos discussed that the public doesn't know what's going on with the angered woman and maybe she was trying to get the ball for someone else. It's nice to see them giving a stranger the benefit of the doubt because you never know when someone else is having a bad day, but you have to hope that bad day doesn't impact a memorable moment for a young fan.
A different, closer angle of the moment came out where you can hear the fan arguing, "that was ours, you took it from me, that was in my hands." She probably didn't think the moment would gain as much steam as it did, especially to the point where players on the team she roots for are discussing it. The internet definitely let her have it, but it seems like Castellanos is giving her the benefit of the doubt.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Nick Castellanos Provided Fresh Take on Viral Phillies Fan Home Run Ball Controversy.
