'You're an inspiration': Brett Phillips homers for young cancer patient, a reminder of baseball's joy

The name of Brett Phillips' apparel brand reveals all you need to know about the Tampa Bay Rays outfielder.

Baseball is Fun.

As Major League Baseball attempts to coax any personality from its stars in the name of "growing the game," one of its rank-and-file members has already displayed plenty of his in the first week of the 2022 season – while bringing to light the story of a brave fan.

It started Monday night when the outfielder took the pitcher's mound for mop-up duty in a blowout against the Oakland Athletics. He induced a pop foul from Seth Brown, and the 28-year-old raced all the way to the third-base dugout to make a sliding catch that will be on highlight reels for years to come.

The next night, Phillips caught the ceremonial first pitch from 8-year-old Chloe Grimes, who is battling cancer for a second time. Phillips' is Grimes' favorite player. Why?

"Because he has the best smile," Grimes said on the Bally Sports broadcast. "He's always having fun. And I like how he does his airplane."

Phillips broke out "the airplane," his signature walk-off celebration – arms stretched wide in a full sprint – in Game 4 of the 2020 World Series when his hit (and two Dodgers errors) gave the Rays a dramatic 8-7 victory to even a series they would eventually lose in six games.

Phillips' reaction that night is part of the same personality that makes him excited to meet fans like Grimes. She gave Phillips a green and white rubber bracelet before the first pitch; the bracelet says "Rally for Chloe our Princess Warrior."

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Those weren't the only gifts, either. She also gave Phillips a softball with his name on it and a picture of her on the softball diamond.

Phillips put it on his wrist and snagged her first pitch. He got down on one knee and wrapped his biggest fan in a one-armed hug.

With the Rays leading 5-3 in the third, the Bally Sports broadcast dedicated time to Grimes' story as Phillips led off the frame. Grimes' mother, Jacquie, was speaking about her daughter's bravery when Phillips turned on a slider from Jacob Lemoine for his first home run of the season, which landed on the catwalk inside Tropicana Field.

"You're an inspiration, holy cow," Phillips said about his new friend. "I think that's the farthest ball, hardest ball I've hit in my career."

Workers at The Trop on Wednesday found the ball. Phillips is going to sign it and give it to Grimes.

There hasn't been much to smile about when it comes to baseball, even beyond the 99-day lockout this season. Star pitchers pout in the dugout when the start of games are delayed by a handful of minutes.

Then there are people like Brett Phillips and Chloe Grimes, two peas in a pod, reminding all of us to find the joy in any situation.

"I'm praying for you guys," Phillips said after the game when asked about the Grimes family. "Unbelievable what they're going through. Hopefully I can meet Chloe again in the future. What an inspiration ... you're really cool, and that homer was for you."

Phillips, holding the softball and Chloe's picture, also complimented her "cannon" of an arm.

"You would never know that she's battling cancer, just the joy and energy she brought," Phillips said.

He added: "It puts my career in perspective and how I come out here every day and treat everyone with love and respect. Chloe, you add to the story. I appreciate you."

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brett Phillips homers for young cancer patient Chloe Grimes