D-Backs outfielder allows former Orioles player to make World Series debut with selfless act
Tommy Pham did something wholeheartedly awesome in game two of the World Series
![Oct 28, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Tommy Pham (28) celebrates after reaching base in the World Series](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5242,h_2948,x_0,y_101/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/11/01hdz53a6ted98d67vwc.jpg)
Through two World Series games, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers are tied at a game apiece as they vie for the ultimate prize in baseball. Game two was all D-Backs, winning 9-1 to even the series.
However, the attention after the game shifted to outfielder Tommy Pham. Having gone 4-for-4 and a chance to become the only player in World Series history to go 5-for-5 in a single game, Pham was replaced by former Oriole Jace Peterson, one of four former Orioles players in this year's World Series.
Pham revealed when he commented on an Instagram post after the game that he volunteered to come out of the game so that Peterson, appearing in his first World Series after making the D-Backs roster for the fall classic, to make his World Series debut.
D-Backs outfielder Tommy Pham selflessly lets former Oriole make World Series debut
Peterson pinch hit for Pham in the ninth inning, reaching on a force out that got another former Oriole in Christian Walker out at second base. Peterson then scored on a two run single from Emmanuel Rivera that made the score 9-1.
It was quite a move for Pham to allow Peterson the chance to make his debut in that circumstance. No one would have faulted him for wanting to go for the 5-for-5 game to make history. Instead, he showed that he cares about the team and the guys he plays with more than personal accomplishments. D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo had this to say:
This was to me a true team moment. Tommy Pham knew -- I'm sure he knew, because he's extremely smart and pays attention to some things that you wouldn't expect a Major League Baseball player to pay attention to -- I am guaranteeing you he was aware that he had a chance to get five hits. He came to me -- and I know that he said it, so I'm going to openly say it -- he came to me and he said, 'I need to you get my boy an AB.'
It's feel-good stories like this for Pham, Peterson, and the D-Backs that make baseball great. Pham still made history with the third four-hit playoff game of his career, and he allowed his teammate to make his World Series debut in his 10th year in the majors. Hat tip to Tommy, that was awesome.
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