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Brett Phillips #35 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a wander-off to gain the game involving the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Subject in St. Petersburg, FL, on May possibly 14, 2021. (Tyler Schank/Tampa Bay Rays/MLB Pictures by means of Getty Pictures)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Above the weekend, Rays followers acquired a Brett Phillips Satan Rays’ basketball jersey in advance of Saturday’s recreation versus the Cleveland Guardians. Soon after they won, Phillips caught all-around to indication autographs.

It turns out that would be the last time lovers watched the Seminole native enjoy for the Rays. Rapid-forward to Monday, Tampa Bay announced Phillips was designated for assignment to make place on the 40-man roster. Phillips will probable be traded or hit the open up current market. 

Phillips has struggled at the plate this season. The outfielder was batting .147 with a .475 OPS and a just about 41 p.c strikeout rate, but which is not what he will be remembered for. Immediately after becoming a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 by using trade, he shaped a bond with regional admirers as a community himself. 

He’ll generally be remembered for encouraging his teammates and Tampa Bay and for his entertaining pitching design and style. 

Furthermore, enthusiasts will never forget his iconic wander-off in Video game 4 of the 2020 Environment Collection, when he distribute his arms like airplane wings as his teammates ran throughout the field with him.

Or when he did it once more.

Following Monday’s announcement, Phillips shared a video clip on Twitter, reminding everyone, “baseball is entertaining.”

His full assertion is under:

Rays followers, it is been an complete enjoyment and honor to participate in for my hometown group. It sucks, but we all know, business enterprise is organization.

I’m likely to dust myself off and hold shifting ahead, but I enjoy each and every and each and every just one of ya’ll for the help the earlier couple of several years. We have had a heck of a time. All I check with is that you men continue to go out there and support the Rays. I have noticed this supporter base develop in the earlier few of several years, and it’s been brilliant.

Right until future time and hardly ever fail to remember, baseball is fun.