This Phillies fan hoped Kyle Schwarber ‘hits one to my hand.’ And then he did in Game 1 of the NLDS.

The 425-foot shot hit by the Phillies leadoff hitter bounced off the hand of another fan and landed in front of Michael Neill for a souvenir and a 1-0 Phillies lead against the Mets.

Phillies fan Michael Neill holds the Kyle Schwarber home run ball he caught in the first inning of Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park.Read moreAbraham Gutman

by Abraham Gutman

Published Oct. 5, 2024, 5:15 p.m. ET

Before Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, Michael Neill told his family and friends that he has one wish: “I hope Schwarber hits one to my hand.”

And then the Phillies’ designated hitter did.

Kyle Schwarber launched his first home run of the postseason leading off the bottom of the first inning and extended his major league record with his fifth career leadoff homer in the postseason. The 425-foot shot made its way to the second deck behind center field. And after it bounced off the hand of another fan, it landed in front of Neill for a 1-0 Phillies lead.

That was enough for the 28-year-old electrician from South Philly to know the series is going to go the Phillies’ way.

“They are going to win,” Neil predicted. “Big.”