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J.T. Realmuto becomes second catcher in history to join 20/20 club
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies' J.T. Realmuto becomes second catcher in baseball history to join 20/20 club

By Mike Santa Barbara  |  Last updated 9/30/22

The 2022 MLB season has had its fair share of monumental achievements and record-breaking feats. 

On Friday afternoon, Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto notched one more. 

In the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals, Realmuto stole his 20th base of the season, helping him join an extremely exclusive group. 

Having already reached 20 home runs on the season, Realmuto's stolen base made him only the second catcher in baseball history to join the 20/20 club. Hall of Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez became the first backstop to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a season back in 1999. 

The nine-year veteran is having another outstanding season behind the dish for the Phillies. Realmuto has 21 home runs and 83 RBI while slashing .273/.339/.473 through 135 games. 

Realmuto has owned the base paths this season; he is a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen base attempts and has thrown out 27 of 38 base-stealers on the year.

The Phillies and Realmuto currently own a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the third and final wildcard spot in the National League. 

Attempting to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, the Phillies' magic number to clinch the third wildcard spot sits at five. 

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