MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Ranger Suárez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout to face the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies have built much of their recent success around a deep and talented starting rotation, so much so that the team was able to confidently move on from a star starter before this season began.
The Phillies were content to let former All-Star lefty Ranger Suarez sign with the Boston Red Sox, confident that Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and company could carry on without him. But it was still a major loss for many fans.
“Suarez had not only established himself as one of the top left-handed starters in the majors, but he was beloved by the Philadelphia fan base for his unflappable demeanor and positive attitude,” Paul Casella wrote for MLB.com. “Through it all, Suarez was a part of countless key moments for the franchise — none bigger than recording the pennant-clinching out for the Phillies in the 2022 National League Championship Series.”
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Now, after beginning a new chapter with the Red Sox, Suarez has found himself back in the spotlight for both his performance and his potential return to his former home for a special event later this summer.
With the 2026 MLB All-Star Game scheduled to be held in Philadelphia, Suarez was recently asked about the possibility of earning a trip back to the city where he became a fan favorite.
“Obviously, that’s something every player here would like, to be an All-Star,” the pitcher said, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “I feel like my main focus is to stay healthy throughout the season and be able to help the team win. If the All-Star Game happens in Philly, obviously it would be more than welcomed.”
The comments reflect the same team-first mentality that endeared Suarez to Phillies fans throughout his tenure with the organization. But as he enjoys a strong debut in Boston, with a 2.93 ERA and 75 strikeouts in his first 14 starts so far, Suarez could be returning to Citizens Bank Park for a second career All-Star nod soon.
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“I paid attention to (the start of the Phillies’ season) but at the same time, you want to turn around the slow start we had,” Suarez added, per Cotillo. “Even more with this historic franchise that is used to chasing titles and being in competition to get back to the playoffs. I feel like we still have time to do that.”
Though his attention is now on Boston, Suarez’s legacy in Philadelphia remains significant.
And those memories continue to resonate with Phillies fans, which is why the possibility of seeing Suarez back at Citizens Bank Park as an All-Star remains intriguing.
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