Skip to content
Phillies
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Phillies good luck charm Liam Castellanos is here to stay — and doesn’t need your help with homework

After returning to Florida when the school year started, Nick Castellanos’ 10-year-old son is back with the team for the playoffs, lifting his dad to historic performances.

Phillies players including Bryson Stott, Taijuan Walker, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner look on as Kyle Schwarber and Garrett Stubbs lift up Liam Castellanos. The Phillies partied with family, friends, and fans at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia after winning Game 4 of the National League Division Series over the Atlanta Braves.
Phillies players including Bryson Stott, Taijuan Walker, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner look on as Kyle Schwarber and Garrett Stubbs lift up Liam Castellanos. The Phillies partied with family, friends, and fans at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia after winning Game 4 of the National League Division Series over the Atlanta Braves.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
    by Matt Ryan
    Published 

As Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos rounded the bases after becoming the first player in postseason history with back-to-back multi-home run games, the cameras pointed to his son, Liam. Wearing his dad’s jersey, he was freaking out. And for good reason.

The 10-year-old hadn’t been to a game since the summer because he lives in Florida during the school year. His first two games back were likely the greatest of his dad’s career. So, as Nick led the Phillies to the National League Championship Series against the Diamondbacks, fans began scheming about how to keep Liam around.

Then, Castellanos’ wife, Jess, delivered the best news of the night.

Liam and the Phillies take over Xfinity Live

With Liam’s homework taken care of, he was ready for a late night.

During the postgame celebration in the clubhouse, Phillies players were gearing up to head to Xfinity Live to continue the festivities. Nick Castellanos looked at Liam and asked if he wanted to join. The answer was obvious.

As the team celebrated on the upper level of Xfinity, fans began to cheer Liam on. Then, he was hoisted into the air, pumping his fist as “Dancing On My Own” played in the background. Iconic.

Here are a few more clips from Liam’s legendary night, from the ballpark to the postgame party:

Liam Castellanos: Phillies good luck charm?

Before Liam went back to Florida for school, he was reportedly a mainstay in the clubhouse and was regularly seen sitting behind home plate, cheering on his dad. In July, after hitting a home run, Nick ran over to Liam and grabbed his hand through the netting. It was one of a few viral moments for Liam this season.

After the win on Thursday night, Castellanos spoke about having his son at the games.

“It’s cool. You know, this is what I do for a living. Baseball is my job, and it takes me away from him more than I would like it to,” Castellanos said. “So to be able to — for him to be able to come and be next to me and be a part of this, I mean he’s been at the house when I’ve sucked. He’s been at the house when I’ve done well. He’s been at the house during so many different times of my career throughout his life.

“So for him to be able to be next to me and witness all of it, I think, is good for his maturation in the future. So as close as I can keep him to me, you know, is always going to make me happier.”

As for if their little conversations before his at-bats the last couple of days?

“Just looked at me with an excited face and said let’s go!” Castellanos added.

That appeared to be all it took for Castellanos to make MLB history with Liam there cheering him on.

Now, as the Phillies prepare for the NLCS, one of their good luck charms — Liam was also there for Michael Lorenzen’s no-hitter this summer — is back with the team. Call it a stint on the IL. Only he wasn’t hurt, he was just doing homework.

But now, as Jess put it, “he’s here.” So are the Phillies.