Alec Bohm delivers on Opening Day, proving he still belongs in Philadelphia.

Alec Bohm could have been anywhere else on March 28, 2024—Opening Day of the new MLB season. He knows it. Trade rumors had swirled around him all offseason, with the Phillies actively exploring deals that could have sent him to a new team. Yet, when the season began, he found himself exactly where he’s always been—hitting in the heart of Philadelphia’s lineup with a chance to come through in a big moment. And he did just that.

With the game tied in the 10th inning on Thursday, Bohm stepped up to the plate and delivered a clutch two-out, go-ahead double, leading the Phillies to a thrilling 7-3 Opening Day victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park. The hit drove in Bryson Stott and Bryce Harper, giving Philadelphia a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“It’s nice to be back here, back where I’m comfortable.” Bohm said after the game.

His timely hit helped the Phillies overcome a staggering 19 strikeouts—one of the highest totals in MLB Opening Day history. The only team to strike out more in an opener was the 1996 White Sox, who fanned 21 times in a 12-inning loss to the Mariners. The Phils also had to shake off a blown two-run lead in the eighth inning.

But Bohm remained calm in the moment, cruising into second base and signaling toward the visitors’ dugout before removing his shin guard. His composure and clutch performance didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.

“He deserves a lot of credit,” Phillies ace Zack Wheeler said. “I’ve been through those trade rumors before, where your name keeps getting out there, and you start thinking you’re gone. But he handled it well.”

Throughout the winter, the Phillies explored trading Bohm in an attempt to shake up their roster. As a talented, run-producing All-Star third baseman who remains under team control until after the 2026 season, he was a valuable asset. Yet, no trade ever came to fruition, leaving Bohm right where he started—still in red pinstripes, still playing the game the way he always has.

“Obviously, those rumors were real,” Harper admitted. “He had a real chance of being somewhere else. But a lot of guys here—including myself—love that kid. He plays hard, he understands what it takes, and he just needs to not put too much pressure on himself. He should just have fun and enjoy what he does.”

On March 28, 2024, Bohm proved why the Phillies kept him. He’s still here, and he’s still making an impact when it matters most.