Hard work pays off

If you know how I watch and enjoy baseball, you know this: I appreciate a good at-bat.

The more pitches, the better. I want the opposing pitched wiped out when the plate appearance ends, regardless of outcome. Wear down starting pitchers. Get into the underbelly of bullpens. Grind, both physically and mentally.

It’s why the Phillies frustrated me so much in 2023 and 2024, in spite of pretty good results. They often didn’t grind. When October rolled around, it was their undoing. And after a spring training spent talking about changing that approach, we’re seeing the results unfold.