PHILADELPHIA — And with that, the 2008 World Series officially comes to an end.
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series 17 years ago in the 2008 World Series. While the last championship in franchise history still resonates with the fans of the club, the history of that series did not end in 2008.
50 players suited up for the Phillies and Rays as the 2 clubs went to battle for the sport’s ultimate prize. Fan favorites like Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley suited up in red, while players such as Evan Longoria, David Price, and Carl Crawford rocked the navy blue of Tampa.
On May 12th, 2025, Evan Longoria announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. The long-time third baseman of the Rays, Giants, and Diamondbacks put together a successful 16-year career in professional baseball. Longo finished with 1930 hits and 342 career home runs.
You might be asking yourself, why does this matter for the Phillies?
Closing the Book on ’08
With Longoria’s retirement, every member of the 2008 World Series has officially retired from Major League Baseball. The Phillies’ last member to retire was Cole Hamels, who officially hung up his spikes in 2023.
The moment and celebration of Longoria’s career put into perspective how the World Series win over Tampa was not that long ago. In fact, it was an entire career’s worth of games that shared time with the club’s last parade down Broad Street.
The then 22-year-old Longoria was breaking onto the baseball scene, trying to help a recent expansion franchise claim its first World Series crown. Similar to Bryson Stott‘s rookie year in 2022, he knew nothing other than playoff baseball. Longoria went on to win the American League Rookie of the Year award that season, signifying how good he was expected to be.
The Phillies had a young star of their own in Hamels, who was in his 3rd big league season in 2008. Hamels famously went on to win the World Series MVP for the Phillies, cementing his legacy with the team and earning the “ace” moniker.
When One Door Closes
When one door closes, another one opens.
A chapter of baseball history has come to a close, and the Phillies have a chance to open another chapter in 2025. In 17 years, fans can look back on the careers of legendary players of the game and look back to the 2025 World Series and not the 2008 World Series.
The current club has the opportunity to cement its place as franchise legends, much like the teams of the late 2000s and early 2010s did in Philadelphia. After getting off to another good start, the Phillies are well on their way to their 4th straight postseason appearance. After getting bounced in the NLDS by the New York Mets last year, the club needs to find the same fire and passion that drove the ’08 team towards glory.
Time will tell if the Phillies can find their way back into the World Series. But for now, a chapter in team history has officially ended.
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
