ESPN: The trade deadline tale of top catcher demonstrates why the Phillies have the greatest clubhouse.
The outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies discusses his first impressions upon his trade in 2022 and demonstrates why the team has one of the greatest clubhouses.
Early in the 2022 season, not much was known about Brandon Marsh. Since being called up in 2021, he has played every day as an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.
In exchange for catcher prospect Logan O’Hoppe, Marsh was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 2 at the 2022 deadline. With an impact bat and a reliable glove in center field, he instantly filled a void the Phillies sorely needed.
For Marsh, it was a strange moment. Beyond knowing that the Phillies are in the National League East, Marsh, who grew up in Buford, Georgia, knew very nothing about the team. Entering a new clubhouse, which he had not seen since his major league debut, could have been nerve-wracking for him. Let’s welcome Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
The trade deadline tale of Brandon Marsh demonstrates why the Phillies have the greatest clubhouse.
During an interview with podcast host Chris Rose, Marsh discussed how sluggers Harper and Schwarber of the Phillies approached him when he first arrived in Philadelphia.
“Harper and Schwarber just kind of put their arm around me the second I got in that locker room that day and was like, ‘Hey kid, you know I know we don’t know much about each other, but we’re in a tight pennant race here, so you just got to get in or get out,'” Marsh recalled about his first day.
“You know, in an encouraging way,” Marsh clarified. It sounds like, ‘We’ll be here for you at every turn. We’ll be available to assist you. Come to us with any needs you may have. Inform us. You see, in order to reach where we want to go, we’re going to need you.”
This proves that the Phillies’ clubhouse is real and not just a publicity stunt for the media. The players encourage the individuals around them and take great pride in upholding a standard.
Leaders like Harper and Schwarber foster a brotherhood in the clubhouse that fosters success and permeates every aspect of their play. When they are on a losing streak, especially when they are about to win the postseason, they support one another no matter what.
Marsh immediately made an investment and saw a profit. With the Angels through the first half of 2022, Marsh batted.226/.284/.353 with an OPS of.637. Upon joining the Phillies and embracing the intense strain of the team, he astonished everyone by posting an impressive.288/.319/.455 and.774 OPS in 41 games.
Marsh continued by stating that he gets shivers just thinking about that first clubhouse moment and how it fits in so well with all the other awesome moments he has had as a Phillie.
“I’m getting chills right now, everywhere, whole body,” Marsh stated. “There have been a lot of interesting moments since I came over here, but that one was definitely one of my favorites. Although I was aware of Schwarber and Harper, I didn’t know them well enough for them to come over and take away all of my pressure and anxiety.”
