There is always something special about a reunion, those strange moments when the past walks straight up to the present and asks how you are doing. It comes with a smile, a handshake, or just a glance from across the field. And when that reunion took place between the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays during a heated series, it is bound to carry a little extra weight.

This time, it was not just about the standings. It was about old teammates, shared bullpen memories, and the calm resolve of someone who has been on both sides of the game. Enter the Blue Jays’ closer Jeff Hoffman.

Jeff Hoffman was not sending a message, he was just doing his job. Facing his old team for the first time after signing a 3 year, $33 million deal with Toronto, the former Phillies reliever earned the win in a tight 2–1 Blue Jays victory on Wednesday.

And before the opener, Hoffman reunited with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm. While he admitted he tries to “keep up with everybody” in Philly’s bullpen, he was clear that his focus had changed. “Obviously, we have got our own stuff going on here, so I got to kind of have my priorities, but I feel like every night I’m pretty much checking box scores and seeing who got in there, who did not, and how everybody’s doing.”

That shift has benefited the Jays as well as Hoffman. He entered the series with 13 saves in 26 appearances and then got a key out to bridge the ninth, and lastly took the win as Alejandro Kirk delivered the walk-off.

This was not just a simple June series. Phillies right-fielder Nick Castellanos struck first with a solo homer, and rookie Mick Abel dispatched 5.1 strong innings. But Toronto re-emerged behind Bo Bichette’s triple and Kirk’s ninth-inning rocket. And despite light trash talk before the games, Hoffman had no interest in dramatics. “I’m thankful for the opportunity that they [Philadelphia] gave me and that allowed me to do what I have done, and come here and make some money and put my family in a great position to be successful moving forward.” Hoffman added, “I owe a lot of that to them, and I definitely would not be here without that.”

Yet even that respect did not change the outcomes: Hoffman won and the Phillies lost, and priorities were made crystal clear. The Blue Jays have depended on Hoffman hugely in high-leverage spots, something Philly once did before letting him go. He did hope to stay, but knew an extension “was less and less likely” as the offseason went on.

Now, while Jeff Hoffman has gone forward with his new priorities, not everyone in Philadelphia has been able to let go so effortlessly.

Phillies teammates still feeling the effect of Jeff Hoffman’s exit

Matt Strahm did not need a long statement to say how much Hoffman’s departure meant to him. “Sucks that he has gone.”

In an offseason where the Phillies decided not to match the Jays’ offer, Hoffman’s exit left a mark far beyond the stat sheet. These two best friends were at the heart of the Phillies’ bullpen in 2023 and 2024, earning All-Star nods last season. While Hoffman posted a 2.17 ERA, Strahm was more effective with a 1.87 ERA. Still, Strahm supported his decision to move on and said, “That’s for him and his family to decide. You earn the right to be able to do what he was doing last offseason. … I know he wanted to be here, but at the end of the day, he’s got four kids to take care of. That’s part of it.”

However, for Strahm, the loss was not just related to baseball. They shared a close bond, one that extended far beyond the team. “Jeff’s one of those true friends,” Strahm mentioned. “Ten years from now… I am going to have to pick up the phone and see what Jeff and Marissa are doing.” Such a connection does not fade easily, and the sting of separation has lingered both for the team and fans.

While the Phillies made a business decision, Strahm’s candid remark highlighted the mental cost: A beloved teammate and friend left wearing the shade of blue.

Jeff Hoffman’s return to face his former teammates was not just a storyline, it was a reminder of how quickly things can alter. While he has embraced a new chapter with the Jays, the dynamic he left behind with the Phillies still lingers. As the season rolls on, one thing is clear: Preferences could shift, but true bonds never fade.

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