Jul 26, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Edmundo Sosa (33) celebrates with outfielder Max Kepler (17) after hitting a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images John Jones
NEW YORK — Bryce Harper's leadership was on display in Saturday's 9-4 Phillies win over the New York Yankees, even if we didn't know it until after the game.
Since the Phillies acquired Edmundo Sosa from the St. Louis Cardinals in July of 2022, he's developed a universal reputation as being a kind person in his dealings with just about anyone. Whether it's a head nod or a fist pound, Sosa goes out of his way to interact with just about every person he sees at the ballpark. Heck, he apologized to media members after Saturday's win for making them wait, even though he was getting treatment and really didn't take that long.
So it seemed out of character when Sosa slammed his helmet and bat down after striking out to end the top of the fifth inning, stranding J.T. Realmuto at third base.
Sosa explained his frustration in that moment after the game.
"It was maybe one of those situations where I tried to do a little too much at the plate," Sosa said postgame, via interpreter Diego D'Aniello. "And I saw that ball going away from me. And having that mindset, maybe went after it when I didn't want to. Obviously, I was really frustrated with it and had to let it all out at that point."
While there has been debate in recent years about the frequency that Alec Bohm seems to throw his helmet down, it's hard to remember another example of when Sosa did. It seems completely reasonable to once in a while lose your cool, especially when you don't come through in a big moment.
Sosa, though, went on to apologize for throwing his bat and helmet down. Harper had helped him get back in focus.
"Obviously, that wasn't OK. That's not who I am, that's not who I want to be on the field," Sosa said. "After that, I talked a little with Harp and he called me out a little. He said, 'Hey, that's not you. That's not how we do it here.' And talking to him helped me calm down a little and refocus on what we should be doing next."
Two innings later, Sosa came up against Allan Winans, a righty, and crushed a 424-foot home run. It was the type of connection you just needed to hear the crack of the bat on to know it was going to be a home run. And his quote leads you to believe that Harper helped him to find the clarity needed to come through.
"Sometimes this game is just beautiful like that, and it gives you another chance," Sosa said.
The crack of the bat on this Edmundo Sosa homer ✌️
pic.twitter.com/uJBKM0LWUB
Sosa didn't wind up finishing the game, as he exited after colliding with Brandon Marsh to make the catch that ended the seventh inning. Sosa writhed in pain on the ground for a few minutes, before eventually getting up to walk off the field. Even as he and Marsh embraced while coming off the field, Sosa was still holding his lower back. Fortunately for the Phillies, it sounds as though Sosa mostly got the wind knocked out of him to go along with a bruise.
"I feel good," Sosa said in English after the game, before returning to using the translator.
"I'm just feeling a little, maybe, tight right now," Sosa said through D'Aniello. "But it was just that contusion on that bang. But I feel good, I'm ready for tomorrow."
Edmundo Sosa: “I feel good.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/JTo17XTGAP
So Sosa expects to be in the lineup tomorrow against lefty Carlos Rodón as the Phillies try to sweep the Yankees?
"I'll play tomorrow," he said in English.
