PHILADELPHIA — Tim Lahey was caught off guard when Phillies manager of alumni relations TJ Farrell gave him a phone call.
The 6-foot-5 former reliever sat in the bullpen for four games at the start of the 2008 season until closer Brad Lidge returned from injury, but he never appeared in a big-league game for the Phillies or anyone else. So when Farrell told him that they wanted him to take part in the festivities during the club’s alumni weekend, Lahey wasn’t sure what to think.
“I was definitely surprised,” the 44-year-old Lahey said.
The Phillies are heading to Iowa later this week to participate in Thursday’s “Field of Dreams” game. In anticipation of the event, the organization decided to have four “phantom ballplayers” — players who spent time on the roster but never appeared in a game — throw out ceremonial first pitches before Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park in a nod to the storyline about Moonlight Graham in the movie.
Lahey, former catcher Tim Gradoville, former infielder Will Toffey and former left-handed reliever Jeff Singer all took the field for alumni introductions alongside Phillies legends like Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and newest Wall of Famer Chase Utley. Then, the four phantom players threw on the late-1930s throwback jerseys that the Phillies will wear in Iowa and each threw a ball to a current player.
“It took me a couple of minutes to think through how I felt about it,” Lahey said. “They’ve done such a wonderful job. I am familiar with the movie. If you are familiar with the movie, you know that there are mixed emotions that come with an honor like this. But it’s an honor nonetheless.”
Gradoville, 46, spent time on the Phillies’ roster in September 2006. He later served as a bullpen catcher on the big-league staff. The 31-year-old Toffey traveled with the Phillies to Toronto for one series in 2022, his final season in professional baseball when multiple players could not enter Canada because they were not vaccinated against COVID. Singer, 32, spent one day in the bullpen in April 2022.
Perhaps there were some hesitations about the idea of attending alumni weekend without actually having played for the team and helping the Phillies promote their upcoming marquee matchup in the form of a “Field of Dreams” tribute. But all four players ultimately agreed and went on to enjoy the experience.
“I’m more grateful than anything,” Gradoville said. “… My kids weren’t born yet when I was playing, so it’s pretty cool for them to see me on the field because they never got that opportunity when I was playing. It’s just a great honor from the Phillies. That family aspect they always talk about is what you feel on a weekend like this.”
For Singer, a local product who now coaches in South Jersey, the chance to enjoy the day so close to home was extra special.
“Being from this area, it’s an honor,” Singer said. “I was really excited to get that phone call. My family got to come and see me on the big-league field, which was really cool.”
Lahey and Gradoville got to see old teammates from the minor leagues or guys they briefly spent time with in the majors. For Singer and Toffey, many of the core players from 2022 were still on the field in Philadelphia.
“The nucleus of the team is still the same,” Toffey said. “It’s been a really stable five, six years with the lineup and the players here in Philly. It’s a testament to this organization overall. It’s special that I’ve gotten to be a part of such a great organization and such a great run over the last few years, and it’s an honor that they’re keeping me a part of it to a degree.”
Before the start of Sunday’s game, the Phillies played a “Field of Dreams” video as Lahey, Gradoville, Singer and Toffey stood on the first-base line. Then, the four walked in front of the mound to deliver their first pitches. Lahey admitted it was a bit “nerve-wracking,” but every throw hit the target. While it wasn’t the opportunity to play in a big-league game, it was something for them to remember.
“Obviously, making it to the major leagues is one of the hardest things to do in sports,” Toffey said. “The fact that we all were able to have a short glimpse of what it’s like in the major leagues, a day like today really just affirms your career.”
