In ten days or so the next gathering of Phillies ball players will take place as the first High Performance Camp of the 2025 Phillies player development season kicks off. This will be my 11th year covering and writing about Phillies player development in the minor leagues. Over those years I have had plenty of self doubts and thoughts of discontinuing - there’s never been financial earnings of value nor widespread public knowledge of what I do nor a self belief of impact although I’ve been told by many there is that in an appreciation for it of “more than I will ever know”. 🤓.
I’m a “Philly fan” - grew up as one and will continue to be one till my last breath - it’s why my blog handle is titled as such - my written views are initially as a fan. We Philly fans have a passion for our sports teams that goes beyond what some may consider reasonable. The reactions are sincere, the emotions genuine and often times the outward display is in the moment. The separation I’ve experienced from most Philly fans since I began writing is the personal connections to the people we hold on the pedestal of the major league sports limelight … at least somewhat, for I write about those in their professional development years in pursuit of such notoriety.
I’m not even sure I’m very good at what I do - I do know I put out a boat load of volume - the work ethic engrained in me disallows a half baked effort. It’s within that volume that I’ve discovered and been enabled something most Philly fans don’t have access to - the actual people in those heralded sports uniforms and those that surround them, the breaths of life and the efforts it takes to attempt to become a major leaguer.
Over the past ten years I’ve experienced many things and moments. These things have changed my perception as a “Philly fan”. I can no longer separate the desire for our teams to win else hear our discontent from the glimpses of knowledge of what makes the heartbeats tick inside those performing on the field or managing their endeavors.
It’s been the impressions of people like Albertus Barber who’s genuine desire and push to succeed is all encompassing that make me smile. It’s the families like the O’Hoppe’s who’s heartfelt support of one another was immediately evident thru the kindness and acknowledgment of Logan towards myself the first time I met him - he asked if I was the fella on the Phillies Fan’s View Facebook page that wrote nice things about him that his family had shared that make me humble in their presence. It’s watching the true sincerity of a a player like Ben Brown towards being a great teammate, to seeing the competitive fire he possesses on the field, the work ethic and compliance to excel and the appreciation he has for living. It’s the bright smile of a kid like Starlyn Caba who’s energy and enthusiasm engulfs the game and who’s talents are to be marveled at. It’s the unbridled love and fearless outlook that was witnessed by the accounts given and correspondence I was able to conduct with a kid like Corey Phelan who’s life was far too short yet who’s mindset never wavered that good things were coming whether in this life or beyond. It’s the fist bumps, handshakes, tip of the caps, waves and conversations with players like Aidan Miller who’s genuine respect in how they treat people that shines thru. It’s the ability to experience a phone conversation with a player like Darick Hall on the day that he got the word he was heading to the major leagues. It’s the chat with a player like Bailey Falter on the backfields reinforcing that he’s indeed good enough to pitch in the big leagues. It’s the greeting of a young outfielder like Johan Rojas on deck for his next AB at the complex in a GCL game thanking me for being “Facebook Man”. It’s the kinship of seeing a young man like Nick Ward who watched his father and me play during his youth in an amateur baseball league in Kennett Square, PA become a Phillies player and participate in big league Grapefruit League games. It’s the opportunities to discuss how a rehab effort went with a player like Tyler Phillips at the complex and then be witness to him pitching on the big stage a couple years later for the team he grew up watching as a fellow “Philly fan”. It’s the observations of hours spent watching practice after practice, game after game and the interactions before, during and thereafter.
Not all make it to the show or even if they do is it necessarily with the Phillies, I have come to see trades as positives that give players new pathways. In fact far more don’t make it than do but I treat each player with the respect that they have indeed earned the chance to do so for once they put on the jersey and go onto the field of play the opportunity exists.
I’ve seen the heartaches of players when they fail and the joy of when they succeed, the grind of the workload to experience each. The raw energy each year of newly signed players making their initial efforts as pros at the complex and the annual return of players to begin a new season, the excitement and enthusiasm that shines thru. The dedication of coaches, trainers, support personnel and front office folks to educate, enable and promote the stages of development. The efforts to recover from setbacks such as physical injuries or mental doubts. The positivity of team championships or when a player gets the call that he’s going to the show. The sadness of those who are released knowing that unless afforded an opportunity elsewhere their dream of doing so has ended.
There have been many, many experiences with multiple folks the past ten years. It’s been a glimpse of those in the professional baseball life that most don’t get. It’s the reason I started to write about such things shortly after I was afforded such chances - to tell those stories thru the daily capture of the process. It’s been a great run and now we are set to begin again - today I’m going to make my first visit to the complex for 2025 along with my friend and fellow writer Jim Peyton - players haven’t arrived yet but we just want to start up our routine once more.
From my perspective I watch to see, hear to listen and write to share - that’s my why.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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