EXCLUSIVE: The Phillies have found their way back by ‘getting lost in the team’

Quickly becoming one of the best managers in Philadelphia Phillies history, Rob Thomson has led his club with a calm, affable demeanor. Thomson has things he is particular about, like any manager – he trusts his veterans ball players to prove themselves, picks his men up when they are down, and never speaks ill of anyone on his club. He’s honest when it comes to his team, but fair.

Like every coach, he has phrases or mantras he likes to lead his club with. You may have heard him say “pass the baton” when talking about his offense, or “we know what he can do” when talking about his veteran pitchers. One thing, however, is a little more unique.

Phillies Under Pressure

Back on August 15, Topper mentioned that it felt like guys were ‘pressing‘ or ‘trying to do too much’ while the Phillies were going through a rough stretch (7-17 record) recently. One can infer what that means, but I asked him to be specific – what does the manager mean when he says they are pressing? That was the first time I remember hearing him say something I had not heard from a coach before:

“When guys are ‘passing the baton’…(they’re) doing all those little things to help the club, to get lost in the team. That’s huge.”

To get lost in the team – it stood out to me. It feels almost like a way to grow closer as friends more than an approach on the diamond, but it’s a simple way of explaining what it means to work as a team in a game that is so individualized. Baseball is weird – you can help each other on offense, but basically never interact with your teammates. Same on the defensive end – your efforts help the team, but it’s not the same as following a lead blocker or a give-and-go in basketball – you are almost on an island in everything you do in this beautiful game.

I heard Thomson say this again recently, after Sunday’s 11-3 victory over the Royals in Kansas City. Tim Kelly of Phillies Nation highlighted a play in the game, a play where Alec Bohm made what could be considered a ‘mental mistake’ on a play in the first inning. With runners on first and second base and one out, Royals’ catcher Salvador Pérez hit a ball to third base that likely should have been an easy inning-ending double play for the Phillies.

Instead, the Phillies third baseman stepped on third base for the second out, having thought there were already two outs. The inning stayed alive, but Philly escaped without damage. Still, Bohm’s misstep kept the Royals in the inning, and that can be dangerous – especially as we get closer to the postseason.

Bohm was seen visibly upset with himself afterwards, and was consoled by Bryce Harper and had a talk with Thomson. I spoke with Alec prior to Tuesday’s contest against the Astros, and we talked about the play and the support he received from his teammate and manager:

“I embarrassed myself out there and everybody knows that, so there’s no need to beat somebody down for it. Obviously, I know the magnitude of what could have happened in that situation and how it could have really hurt us…it’s good to know that you got people that trust you and got your back, and even when you’re not your best self they still want you out there.”

Thomson was asked by reporters after Sunday’s contest about his conversation with Alec after the play:

“This is my saying, you’ve gotta get lost in the team,” Thomson explained. “You gotta do whatever you can to help the team win. Whether it’s playing good defense … if you get on base, run the bases well … back up bases … just get lost in the team.”

Phillies keep it honest

There it was again. During our conversation, I asked Bohm about the saying and what it means to him:

“It’s a perfect way to put it, because when things aren’t going great, you have struggles going on, it’s really easy to focus on what you’re doing yourself and go sit down, look at your swing, and focus on you, you, you. Not intentionally, but you get a little selfish about things and with the intention of trying to perform and help the team win. But when you go up there, don’t get the job down, it’s – put your stuff away and watch the next guy get it done.”

One thing you hear former players and analysts say when talking about the Phillies over the last few years is how fun it looks to play with the group of guys they have assembled in that clubhouse. Winning helps with a lot of that, but the right mental fortitude and the support the team gives each other is obvious to everyone – fans and media alike.

You can hear it in the way they talk about each other, and see it in the way they not only celebrate, but in the way they pick each other. Bohm spoke about that togetherness in the spirit of one of Topper’s favorite lines:

“(You just) Cheer on your teammate, be a teammate – just be a part of the team. Like you said, ‘get lost in the team’ and just – the focus is on winning, not on what I just did. So I think that is something that helps you brush off the hard parts of the game a little quicker and just play the game.”

The Phillies’ third baseman would end up doing just that on Sunday – going 2-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs in the game after his first inning mistake. His mid-game bounce-back is exactly what his manager means when he talks about getting lost in the team. Putting the team in front of yourself and not letting a mistake in the field carry over to your at-bats is what winning teams do.

The Phillies have seemingly bounced back from their worst stretch of the season, winning eight of their last twelve games coming into Tuesday night. Like every club, there are uncertainties. But one thing is irrefutable – if this team wants to succeed the rest of the season and make it back to the World Series, they need to follow what Topper has preached and get lost in the team, once again.

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports