The Diamondbacks continued their astonishing postseason run Tuesday night with a 4–2 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Game 7 of the NLCS. Arizona will face the Rangers in the World Series beginning Friday.
If the D-Backs' victory wasn't surprising enough, their bold postgame celebration stunned many fans. Outfielder Alek Thomas punctuated the win by planting a National League Champions flag into the infield grass. That's a provocative move usually seen in football games.
Naturally, D-Backs fans loved the gesture, while other MLB fans viewed the flag-planting as disrespectful.
I was rooting for the Dbacks to win, but this is taking it a little too far. Enjoy the win, but don’t be planting flags on another team’s field. https://t.co/iS9pq6PNgG
— Ryan Barnes (@RyanBarnes10) October 25, 2023
Not even gonna share the video but that video of that DBacks player putting the flag on our field is so classless and disrespectful and just makes me even more heartbroken
— Minka🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 (@Minkatb17) October 25, 2023
Next year, 1st pitch against the Phillies, he's getting a fastball in the ribs. That flag planting is some bush league, unwritten rules sh*t
— Yes it's me, JPG (@askJPG) October 25, 2023
Yet the D-Backs' celebration became even more brash in the clubhouse. The team blasted "Dreams and Nightmares" by Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill while spraying champagne and pouring beer.
Mill performed that song at Citizens Bank Park before Game 5 of the 2022 World Series.
Fans seemed more shocked by Arizona's song choice than the flag planting. It could certainly be seen as trolling. But the D-Backs' were entitled to pound their chests after an unexpected win and remarkable season.
The Dbacks are celebrating to "Dreams and Nightmares" in the locker room 👀😈
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 25, 2023
(via @ketel_marte4) pic.twitter.com/Y5Nwraatem
First the plant of the flag now this. The Dbacks want to start a rivalry. I hope the Phillies see you next postseason. https://t.co/wqDYd8ri2s
— Tomas Burke (@TomasBurke422) October 25, 2023
Dbacks planted their flag on our home turf and are blasting meek mill in our locker room. We will never recover from this
— 🛸 (@SaltynWasted1) October 25, 2023
No way are the Dbacks bumping Meek Mill in the locker room after sending the Phillies home 😂😂
— ⚽️ Vanderplas (@Vanislegend4L) October 25, 2023
Dbacks blasting meek mill during a Philly game is an extra lvl of petty. I love it
— DrowZ DriZZy (@idirectships) October 19, 2023
Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday (Oct. 27) at 8:03 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The series will be televised on Fox.
