Jul 13, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) hits a single during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
NEW YORK — Bryson Stott met with a young fan in a Boston Red Sox jersey outside the clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday after an extra-innings loss. The fan, who had caught Stott's home run ball that night, asked a thoughtful question with the urging of his mother.
"Why aren't you at the hospital?"
Stott — whose wife, Dru, had given birth to the couple's second child, this one a boy, earlier in the day — had a quick response when asked to recall the interaction Friday afternoon.
"I told him my wife kicked me out," Stott joked.
Stott stayed back when the Phillies flew to San Francisco before the All-Star Break in anticipation of his wife going into labor, but he eventually flew out and joined the Phillies for the entire final road trip of the first half.
Finally, Wednesday morning, Dru experienced contractions. The couple went to the hospital, and within a few hours, their second child was born. It left more than enough time for Stott to make it in time for the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
"We had him so early, though, so all the tests and everything were done at probably 8, 8:30 [a.m.]," Stott said. "We were kind of just sitting there and my daughter was at home with my mom and sister. She [Dru] was like, 'We're just gonna be sitting here, so I think you should go and I'll be fine.' I was like, "Are you sure? I don't want to get punched or anything."
With Dru's stepmother with her at the hospital, Stott arrived at Citizens Bank Park shortly before the game began. Stott had been ice-cold at the plate since a strong March/April, but just hours after his son was born, he had one of his best performances of the season. Stott went 2-for-4 with a home run and double in the 9-8 loss:
Dad strength 💪
pic.twitter.com/TAsoAObdWg
In advance of the July 31 trade deadline, Phillies' president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski talked about a need for some internal improvements offensively earlier this week. He wasn't saying that to say that the Phillies won't add anyone to the lineup, but with the need for at least one other high-end reliever, there are only so many spots on the roster you can upgrade externally.
Stott, even if it's part of of a platoon with Edmundo Sosa, would be at the top of the list of players that the team needs more out of. Earlier this season, Stott was leading off. Whether that was the best lineup arrangement or not, the Phillies clearly expected more from Stott than the .231 batting average and .642 OPS he's produced so far this season. Manager Rob Thomson said Stott has eliminated some of the busyness in his batting stance, and the Phillies have liked the results in recent days. Perhaps that will allow the 27-year-old to rebound in the second half.
Bryson Stott speaks on the future of AOK 🌎
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/oeQv9iI60k
Of course, the million-dollar question is what Stott's walk-up song will be moving forward. In celebration of his first son being born, Stott used "Buy a Boy a Baseball" by Granger Smith as his walk-up song Wednesday. He then had one of the better games of his career. Given the superstitious nature of baseball players, is Stott going to roll with the new song, rather than bringing back A-O-K by Tai Verdes, his long-time anthem?
"I don't know," Stott said with a smile. "My wife was like, 'You should change it for the baby.' [I was like,] 'Yeah, that's a good idea.' Then, picked that one and then didn't think I was going to hit a home run and a double in back-to-back at-bats. But I told her we have a daughter too, so I can't just have a son song. I don't know, we'll see."
