PHILADELPHIA — If there’s a fan who has been the face of the Philadelphia Phillies’ incredible playoff run, it’s actor Miles Teller, who has been a very visible fixture at Citizens Bank Park, shotgunning beers in the stands, jumping up in jubilation after a big hit and even catching the ceremonial first pitch prior to Wednesday’s Game 4.
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Teller, who is originally from Downingtown, Pa. has starred in the movies “Top Gun: Maverick,” “War Dogs” and “Whiplash,” but the 35-year-old actor’s first dream was to play for his hometown baseball team.
He’ll settle for being a famous fan, as he’s made it on the field, all over the Jumbotron and has been around the team throughout what’s been a magical October. He even served as batterymate for former Phillies champions Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, along with fellow actor and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star and creator Rob McElhenny.
“I’m just glad I caught it,” Teller told The Athletic of the big ceremonial first pitch, which also featured former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins throwing out their first pitches to Rob McElhenny & Miles Teller#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/yF5ddCX5VQ
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 2, 2022
While this year’s team has had perhaps the most improbable run ever to a World Series, Teller’s fandom has never wavered. He’s been attending games long before this year and stuck with the 2022 club through some serious ups and downs, including a rocky September that had the Phillies squeak into the last playoff spot.
Teller is fine being the national face of 2022 Phillies fans, as long as one thing is clear:
“I’ve been a Philly fan my whole life,” he said. “So there’s no such thing as a front-running Philly fan. If you’re in, you’re in. So it’s been awesome to see this team, I watch every game. It’s been awesome to see this.”
Teller, who has thrown out the first pitch at the Phillies’ spring training home in Clearwater, Fla., is old enough to remember the 1993 team that lost in the World Series and can vividly recall the team’s playoff runs from 2007 to 2011. Teller was in the stands for some of those games, too, including the Phillies’ first playoff game in 14 years in the 2007 Division Series. An NYU grad, Teller would take the bus from Chinatown down to Philly for games. When he moved to California for acting, he’d try to go when the Phillies played at Dodger Stadium. But there’s nothing like games at home, especially playoff games. The Philly crowd was so loud for Game 3 that seismic activity was registered twice at Citizens Bank Park.
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“Philly is just special,” Teller said. “The northeast for sports (fandom) is special.”
He gets the people going@Miles_Teller pic.twitter.com/Y83jxHCJLo
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 2, 2022
Teller was born into Phillies fandom and it’s clear his wife, model/actress Keleigh Sperry, who has been present for some of the games, has no choice but to adopt them, too. Teller’s father Mike and several other family members have also attended some of the Phillies’ home playoff games with him.
Teller joked to MLB Network earlier this week that he’d give up a toe if the Phillies win the World Series. He also said he’d kiss his acting career goodbye, too, if it means guaranteeing the Phils’ first trophy since 2008. With that kind of sacrifice, it’s no surprise that Teller is thinking about following the series south, with the Phillies hoping to stave off elimination in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. Would a superfan like Teller really stomach not being able to celebrate live if the Phillies complete the upset?
“We’ll see what happens,” he said with a smile, “But I will try and be there for sure.”
(Top photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)
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