PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brandon Marsh is aware of his manner round a chilly one after not one or two — however 4! — Phillies clubhouse celebrations on their approach to the World Sequence.
So when the 25-year-old outfielder discovered himself on the large display this week at a Flyers sport, Marsh obliged followers by slamming his beer to a roaring ovation. Soaking within the expertise with a smile two seats to Marsh’s proper, Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson.
All of the Phillies have to fret about now’s the hangover.
No, not from an evening out at a hockey sport, however a attainable malaise after a season of success,
Thomson, who begins his first full season as supervisor, does not concern a scarcity of focus. Whereas making the World Sequence was superior, it gained’t prime the joys of successful one.
“They’ve enjoyable however they don’t fiddle,” Thomson mentioned. “They act like professionals.”
The Phillies doubtless won’t have NL Championship Sequence MVP Bryce Harper till across the All-Star following surgical procedure on his proper elbow in late November. The 30-year-old Harper sustained a small ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow in April. Even with the elbow damage, Harper led the Phillies to their first World Sequence since 2009, the place they misplaced in six video games to Houston. He hit .349 with six homers and 13 RBIs in 17 postseason video games.
Thomson mentioned Harper is present process mild rehab till late March.
“Simply extra strengthening than something, no practical exercises,” Thomson mentioned on Wednesday.
Good factor the Phillies had a Plan B.
Amongst a flurry of strikes this offseason that included buying two-time All-Star Gregory Soto and eight-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel to strengthen the bullpen, there was no greater splash than including Trea Turner. The Phillies signed the star shortstop to a $300 million, 11-year contract. Turner hit .298 with 21 homers and a career-high 100 RBIs final 12 months in his solely full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I feel he’s going to suit proper in with this clubhouse,” Thomson mentioned. “He can do every little thing on the sector.”
Turner, although, can have his first spring coaching with the Phillies interrupted due to the World Baseball Traditional. Whereas rosters aren’t set, Gold Glove catcher J.T. Realmuto and NL residence run champion Kyle Schwarber have mentioned they’d play within the worldwide event. Pitchers Ranger Suárez, José Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez wish to be part of up with their international locations, as does backup catcher Garrett Stubbs and starter Taijuan Walker.
The interruptions will come throughout a spring coaching wherein groups modify to a pitch clock and limits on defensive shifts. Thomson mentioned he was apprehensive most concerning the pitch clock.
“Simply because loads of guys aren’t used to it,” Thomson mentioned. “There are going to be some irritating instances. So I’m glad that proper from the primary sport of spring coaching we’re going to make use of it to allow them to get snug with it and get their physique clock accustomed to it.”
Thomson mentioned he would ship out guidelines reminders subsequent week to the crew subsequent week.
“I hate frustration,” Thomson mentioned. “It takes away from folks getting locked in and performing on the highest degree.”
The Phillies gained solely 87 video games in a loaded NL East earlier than they ripped by means of the Cardinals, Braves and Padres within the postseason. The Mets gained 101 video games and added three-time Cy Younger Award winner Justin Verlander, and the Braves gained 101 video games and have a younger nucleus locked in to long-term offers.
“And you’ll by no means low cost Miami,” Thomson added.
Simply how good of an offseason was it for Thomson? In response to one ballot, he was ranked No. 2 among the many most good-looking managers in baseball.
“I advised my spouse, I mentioned hey hear, Michelle, you understand fortunate you’re? I’m the second-most good-looking supervisor in baseball,” Thomson mentioned, laughing. “And he or she was cooking dinner, and she or he didn’t miss a beat and she or he circled and she or he mentioned, ‘so everyone else have to be tied for first.’”
Thomson, Marsh and utility participant Dalton Guthrie are on an offseason barnstorming tour all through the state and pitched in for volunteer work and so they visited youth baseball groups. Thomson has another out-of-state cease on his agenda: The previous Kansas Jayhawks baseball star is giving a pep speak to the crew Friday earlier than he takes within the second-ranked basketball crew’s sport in opposition to Kentucky on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
On a windy day at Residents Financial institution Park, the recollections of final season have been there with World Sequence signage nonetheless on the partitions and on prime of the dugout. However there was a glance forward towards opening day within the type of a 76-feet excessive and 97-feet large scoreboard that places the jumbo in jumbotron underneath building like a baseball Dying Star out in left discipline.
It will likely be prepared for the beginning of the season, when it is lastly all about 2023.
And, Thomson insisted, no strain.
“I don’t really feel it as a result of I feel we’ve acquired a great ballclub,” Thomson mentioned. “I feel if we keep wholesome and we do what we’re presupposed to do, I feel the outcomes can be there.”
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports