PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber continues to make headlines both on and off the field. A day after becoming just the 21st player in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game, Schwarber participated in the Philadelphia Phillies’ annual closest-to-the-pin golf challenge at Citizens Bank Park. The event determines the draft order for the team’s fantasy football league.
The contest took place before Friday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Players teed off from home plate toward a red flag placed in center field, about 350 feet away. Schwarber won the challenge by landing his shot just four feet from the target.
“Stuck it to four feet,” he said.
His effort surpassed last year’s winner, J.T. Realmuto, who finished behind Schwarber this time. “He’s a good golfer,” Schwarber said of Realmuto at the time. “I’m sure if you put a basketball in the guy’s hand, he’d be good. He’s good at everything.”
Schwarber has had a significant impact for the Phillies this season. In addition to his historic four-home run performance, he set a franchise record with nine RBIs in that game and moved into second place on the club’s single-season home run list with 49, trailing only Ryan Howard’s 58 homers from 2006. With 28 games left to play, Schwarber leads MLB with 119 RBIs—both figures are career highs.
After his big night on Thursday, Schwarber stayed on the field to film a guest appearance for the sitcom “Abbott Elementary.” Less than a day later, he returned to compete and win in golf at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson commented on Schwarber’s recent success: “I’m going to have him buy me a lottery ticket,” Thomson said. “I mean, he’s just hot right now.”
As for his top pick in fantasy football, Schwarber is considering Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. “Go with the Ohio guy,” he said. “I like being able to play with my heart for once.”
