After flying over 3,400 miles to London for a two-game series against the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies returned stateside on Sunday evening in preparation for a clash with the Boston Red Sox. They’re still the premier team in the National Legaue after splitting the series with their divisional rivals, and no matter how loud the outside noise gets, the Phils just keep on trucking and remain focused on the immediate tasks ahead. That can be difficult to do over one of the longest seasons in all of professional sports, but a strong culture is making that process easier for coaches and players alike.
A long and winding road for the Phillies
The Phillies had already been on a busy road trip prior to their big trip across the pond. Rob Thomson noted 18 time zone changes between the series against Colorado and the time the Phils return home from England. With bodyclocks likely scrambling for stability, rest and fatigue were critical factors in the Fightin’s preparation for the trip.
Many of you will resonate with the feeling of morning stress before you have that first coffee, or the irritability when someone at your job greets you with a little too much positivity for a Monday morning. Imagine that but you’re travelling through timezones like Doctor Who, and your sleep schedules continue to change. The most important secret ingredient in getting through those tricky periods is having people around you who make that arduous task easier.
“These guys love each other.” Topper said on Friday. “They get along so well, they’re not getting on each other’s nerves. Our group is a very special group. They support each other, they get along, they play cards together, go to dinner together, that helps”
The love was apparent all throughout the weekend in London. Whether it was the coaching staff going out of their way to meet fans at Passyunk Avenue, a Philly-themed dive bar in Waterloo with walls draped in sports memorabilia and adorned with Phillies fans, or the players themselves venturing into the heart of the City to meet fans, sign autographs at the stadium, and remain jovial in press conferences and media interactions. The vibes were always high, the players always friendly, and it was very clear just how special this core group is and how much they look out for one another.
“I think as a team we don’t care who you are, where you’re from, who you were with before, if you’re in our clubhouse, you’re part of our team and part of our family.” Bryce Harper said over the weekend. “we want you to know we have all the confidence in the world. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how long you’ve been in the game, we have full confidence in you.”
That leadership and warm embrace has also helped young players really thrive. The likes of Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, and Bryson Stott have all become key players for the Phillies, with their own confidence growing by the week as the continue to thrive with a strong support group behind them ready to keep them humble, honest, and hungry.
It also extends to the pitching staff, that has blown everyone away this season. A three-headed monster of Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Zack Wheeler have been terrifying opponents all season long and their it’s no coincidence that the rest of the group is largely following suit.
Individuality shines in Philadelphia
Phillies’ Pitching coach, Caleb Cotham, noted on Sunday that ‘Our North Star is mindset and ‘being great at what you’re good at. It’s really easy in Baseball to focus on what you’re not good at and you can focus on that too much and kind of forget who you are. You never want to lose what makes you, you’.
There’s a lot of pride on this Phillies team. They embrace who they are and keep themselves loose on the field. There’s no tension, no overthinking. Bryce Harper’s knee slide might have caught his coach and teammates off guard, but it also represented what makes him and this team so special – they’re happily themselves and supporting each other to express that same individuality.
Philadelphia has become one of the easiest teams to root for in Baseball. The Phillies are lovable, the production is outrageous, and the fanbase is rampant. It’s easy for a casual fan, especially in London this past weekend, to see the appeal of becoming a Phillies fan, and that’s all thanks to the culture that has been gradually built over the last few years.
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
