Phillies’ Orion Kerkering Says Error vs. Dodgers Will ‘Affect Me for the Rest of My Life’

Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering knows his entire MLB career will be defined by his error in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Speaking to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Kerkering explained that the error will “affect me for the rest of my life” and that fans will always bring it up no matter how long he plays.

“It’s going to affect me for the rest of my life,” he said. “No matter where I go. If someone’s going to bring it up, it doesn’t matter if it’s now or in 20 years, they’re going to say some s–t.”

The play occurred in the bottom of the 11th inning with the score tied 1-1. The Dodgers had the bases loaded with two outs when Andy Pages hit a grounder back to the mound that Kerkering initially misplayed, picked up the ball and threw home trying to get the force out instead of taking the easier play at first base.

Kerkering’s throw to J.T. Realmuto was way high and sailed to the backstop, allowing the game-winning run to score and sending the Dodgers to the NLCS.

One person who can relate to Kerkering’s experience is former All-Star closer Brad Lidge, who told Gelb that he contacted the right-hander after the game.

“I just wanted him to know,” Lidge said. “Don’t beat yourself up over this.”

Lidge gave up one of the most famous homers in MLB history when Albert Pujols took him deep for a three-run homer in Game 4 of the 2005 NLCS between the Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals.

Even though the Astros went on to win that series, the highlight has continued to live on in playoff video packages that MLB puts together every year.

Lidge did have ups and downs for the rest of his career after that moment, though that’s probably more due to the nature of reliever volatility than anything else. He did make the All-Star team and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2008 with the Phillies.

Kerkering has been a valuable part of Philadelphia’s bullpen since making his MLB debut in 2023. The right-hander has a 2.79 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 126 innings over the past three seasons.