Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.: Aaron Nola doubters 'can kiss my ass'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/4/22

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched MLB's final berth for the 2022 postseason on Monday night behind 6 2/3 two-hit, shutout innings by Aaron Nola in a 3-0 blanking of the Houston Astros. Nola began the contest by setting down the first 20 Astros hitters he faced before running into trouble in the seventh, but the Philadelphia bullpen was able to close out the clinching victory.

On Tuesday morning, Phillies color commentator Ruben Amaro Jr. took to Twitter to express his excitement and perhaps take a bit of a jab at fans who may have had doubts about Nola taking the bump in a huge spot.

So happy and proud to be a @Phillies fan and native Philadelphian today. Proud of our team and the heart and soul they showed through a tumultuous season. Kudos to the entire org and may they splash champagne four more times. .
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) October 4, 2022

Oh, yeah. And for those who had doubts about Aaron Nola being a big game pitcher can kiss my ass
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) October 4, 2022

Amaro Jr. has been a member of the Philadelphia organization since the early 1990s, spending five of his eight seasons as an outfielder with the Phillies. He suited up for the team from 1992 to 1993 and then again to end his playing career from 1996 to 1998.

The 57-year-old broadcaster was then the team's general manager from 2009 to 2015, a tenure that included a trip to the 2009 World Series, an appearance in the 2010 NLCS and a spot in a 2011 NLDS. This October will be Philadelphia's first trip back to the playoffs since 2011.

Toward the end of Amaro Jr.'s time as GM, the Phillies selected Nola with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft. Amaro Jr. was hired as a pregame and postgame television analyst for the team in 2020.

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