On August 29, 2025, the Red Sox took a difficult call and released their Lexington-born star. This decision came at the end of a short, however, turbulent stint for the team. The Red Sox promoted pitching prospect Payton Tolle for the star’s much-anticipated debut against Paul Skenes, and it left the two-time World Series star as the odd man out. The exit of the former Dodgers star turned Red Sox player was a reminder that, within a flash of a second, situations can transform in an outcome-driven league.

However, MLB always finds its way to write fresh chapters. Just weeks later, the former Red Sox veteran Walker Buehler engaged in a new relationship with the Phillies. In 3 appearances, containing 2 starts, the veteran has thrown 13 ⅔ innings with an elite 0.66 ERA. He also gave up just one run and struck out eight. For the pitcher who went 7-7 with an inconsistent 5.45 ERA across 22 starts with the Red Sox, it has been a turnaround. Yet, despite his data highlighting redemption, Walker Buehler’s statement highlights a more intricate situation of his position with the Phillies.

The interaction attracted the spotlight when Walker Buehler was asked if he thought he had placed himself in a position to start in the postseason. The veteran’s reaction raised league-wide eyebrows. “That’s above my pay grade,” Walker Buehler said to reporters, before adding: “Next time we celebrate, I wanna feel like I was a part of it”, as reported by On Pattison. The sentiment highlighted an intense discontent: one rooted not in performance, however, in belonging.

In the Phillies, he has been upfront about his conflicting feelings. Walker Buehler said, “I’m here to win a world title and whatever kind of piece I can be in that, from a starting pitcher to a cheerleader, I really don’t care. I haven’t been here very long, but I’ve really enjoyed this team.” The former Red Sox star’s sentiment points out a hunger to do more than just wear the uniform.

That is why Walker Buehler’s work ethic has stood out more. After the star’s five scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Marlins, he went straight to the bullpen and kept throwing, asking for extra reps to establish stamina. Rob Thomson admitted that Walker Buehler has brought value with him, no matter how uncertain his exact playoff role is. The Phillies could view Buehler as a swingman; however, the star is chasing something larger, and that is the feeling of ownership in the team’s success.

That was not the first time Walker Buehler has been brutally honest related to his place on a team. In fact, the star’s willingness to self-criticize has been a recurring theme throughout a turbulent season.

Not the first time Buehler has turned the criticism on himself

Back in June, Walker Buehler endured a low point of his career as a Red Sox pitcher, and the star’s statement in the aftermath spoke volumes. After giving up seven runs in less than two innings against the Yankees, a game that also cemented the Red Sox’s embarrassing MLB record 12.83 first-inning ERA, Walker Buehler did not hesitate to turn the spotlight inward. “To be honest with you, this organization put a lot of faith in me this offseason, and I’ve been f—— embarrassing for us, so it’s tough,” he said.

Such a candid admission was not just an emotional reaction; it highlighted the star’s deep sense of accountability. When frustrations crossed the line earlier in the season, like his ejection against the Mets after a heated exchange with an umpire, Walker Buehler never shied away from responsibility. Instead of deflecting blame, the star acknowledged his shortcomings. That approach highlights the kind of leader he is: one who looks inward first and owns mistakes before targeting others. It is a quality that has earned Walker Buehler respect in the middle of his toughest stretches.

Walker Buehler’s story in 2025 has been anything but ordinary. He has seen the detachment with the Red Sox and has suddenly seen a valuable position for a playoff-bound Phillies squad. Yet through it all, Walker Buehler’s honesty and willingness to hold himself accountable have defined the star just as much as his pitching. Whether Walker Buehler is starting in October and coming out of the bullpen, the star has made it clear he wants to truly earn his place in the celebration.