You get the feeling that Orion Kerkering didn’t know how many friends he had. Over the past few days there have been several articles and interviews with and about Kerkering, whose momentary lapse of reason in the NLDS was the final nail in the Phillies 2025 coffin. All of what has been written and talked about comes back to one thing: support.
Kerkering was supported by his manager and teammates immediately following the incident in Los Angeles. Since then he has taken calls and texts from any number of players – both current and former – some of which he had never met. A story in The Athletic (subscription required) written by Matt Gelb details how everyday fans also came up to Kerkering and told him “it wasn’t your fault” or “keep your head up.” Gelb’s story is one of those that makes you realize that not everyone is a jerk, which can be tough to remember in the time that we’re living in.
Remember that you heard this next part here first: The first time that Orion Kerkering takes the mound at Citizens Bank Park in 2026, he will receive a standing ovation. Philadelphia will let him know that it’s okay and now we have a new, clean slate.
Former Phillies closer Brad Lidge reached out to Kerkering and talked about a hanging slider he threw to Albert Pujols when he was with the Astros. It was the final pitch of the 2005 World Series and the ball didn’t come back. He basically let the young pitcher know that even former players would support him because even the best have made mistakes.
A lot of that respect comes from what Kerkering did in the moments after the incident. He stood up in front of the press, answered every question, and made no lame excuses for what he did. Those minutes were very important for Kerkering. He put himself out in front of the story, took his hits, and allowed everyone else the opportunity to move on so that he would be able to do the same. He is doing another smart thing now in getting interviews out of the way early, before spring training even officially gets underway. There will come a time when the press moves on and the questions get less and less. If it doesn’t, then Kerkering has every right to, at some point, say that he is done talking about it. The 2026 season is at-hand and that’s what he is focusing on from that point forward.
“When it goes good, you guys ask questions and when it goes bad, you guys will be there to ask questions,” Kerkering told Scott Lauber of The Inquirer on Lauber’s Phillies Extra podcast. “It can be hard, but you still have to do your job. Whether it’s on the field or off the field, you still have to do the right thing.”
On Middays With Marks on 97.5 The Phanatic on Thursday, Brad Lidge was a guest and talked about his call to Kerkering.
“I felt so bad for him, watching him go through the end of the game. Orion’s a great guy and he cares and when you care, you’re probably going to take it harder than guys who don’t care,” said Lidge. “I just wanted him to know that you’re going to get another opportunity and you could be the guy who throws the last pitch and wins the World Series in 2026; that could theoretically happen. Number two, I wanted him to know that his teammates have your back and also, Phillies from the past all have your back because we understand.”
While there are a lot of people unhappy about the Phillies offseason, the bullpen should be a bright and shiny object in 2026. With the addition of Brad Keller and others, fans should at least be able to find solace in the relievers. Kerkering will be a big part of that. That’s important to know because in the minutes and days after the NLDS people were asking how a guy could ever come back from something like Kerkering went through. Many people thought the team should trade him, not because he messed up, but because it would be easier for him to escape it if he were in another city.
Kerkering is still here and that’s a good thing. He has faced this head on and knows that it is always going to be there. The video of that play is not going to disappear, the memories of that play are not going to disappear. He owns that moment and can do with it whatever he wants. It sounds like he is talking about it and at some point, will put it up on a closet shelf somewhere and remember it only on scattered moments.
The basis of everything we have heard from Orion Kerkering over the past few days is this: He’s alright and ready for the 2026 season.
One more thing that Gelb pointed out: Kerkering looks different now. He’s in better shape, the result of a diligent winter. He sounds different. More than three months later, he is clear-eyed about the challenges that await him.
Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.
Privacy Policy | Contact us
© 2025 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.
phillybaseball.news 