Phillies: 10 Things to Be Thankful for This Thanksgiving

2: Joe Girardi

It remains to be seen the actual impact of what hiring 2009 World Series-winning manager Joe Girardi will have on the 2020 Phillies. Yet, most would already agree it’s refreshing to have a new, yet already proven voice.

RELATED | Phillies ‘Blown Away’ with new Manager Joe Girardi

On top of his 15 years of playing experience, Girardi has spent 11 seasons as manager, 10 of which with the New York Yankees. In total, Girardi has a .554 career managerial winning percentage, and, with the Yankees alone, a .562 winning percentage.

In half of Girardi’s 10 seasons spent as Yankees skipper, he led the team to more than 90 wins, including the team’s 2009 World Series-winning season, defeating the Charlie Manuel-led, and reigning-champion Phillies.

RELATED | Phillies hiring Joe Girardi a step in the right direction

The domino effect of hiring Girardi has already begun, as the Phillies were able to bring in Bryan Price as pitching coach and Joe Dillon as hitting coach to his staff. Also, the Phillies hired long-time Yankees national crosschecker Brian Barber as their new director of amateur scouting.

With 988 all-time managerial wins, Girardi will surely eclipse the 1,000 mark in 2020. His many years of experience as both a player and manager will only help the Phillies in 2020 and beyond.

3: Dan Baker

The 2020 season will mark Phillies public address (PA) announcer Dan Baker‘s 49th season with the team. Having  held the position since 1972, the second year of the Vet, Baker is the longest-tenured PA announcer throughout all of Major League Baseball.

“I just love the job so much. It’s so much fun. When I got this, I knew I loved it. I knew I found a home,” Baker told me in a November 2015 interview. “Since the retirement of the late, great Bob Sheppard of the New York Yankees following the 2007 season, I have been the senior PA announcer in all of Major League Baseball. That’s a distinction I have enjoyed.”

Baker told me in November 2015 that he had his eyes sets on his 50th season; now, four years later, he has only one more season to get through before reaching the half-century mark.

“If the Phillies will have me, and my health holds out – and I’m in pretty good health – I’m hoping to do it for at least another six years so that I would do it for 50,” he said.

Entering this past season, Baker had missed only 15 games in 47 years; however, in 2019 alone, he missed 14 games after undergoing five surgeries in four months, The Athletic’s Matt Gelb notes.

While his health took a hit, Baker is surely ready to go and strives to reach 50 years come the 2021 season; per Baker, he would be just the third PA announcer in Major League Baseball history to announce a team’s games for 50 years or more – the other two being Sheppard (1951-2007, 57 years) and Pat Pieper of the Chicago Cubs, the PA voice at Wrigley Field starting from the time it opened (1916-1974, 59).

It is easy to take Baker’s voice for granted, and he was surely missed for those 14 games in 2019. While a lifelong fan of the Phillies, Baker recognizes his main duties as the voice of Citizens Bank Park:

“I understand that my primary responsibility is to provide information,” said Baker. “The way to do that is to talk clearly and concisely without too much emotion so that people can understand what I am saying. … I know the importance of talking loud enough that people can hear, as opposed to mumbling or talking too low of a voice where people can’t understand what you are saying.

The Phillies are the home team and the team that we love. I try to announce them with a little more enthusiasm to help get the crowd behind them.”

Baker has had the distinction of announcing five Phillies’ World Series – 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008 and 2009. He hopes to announce a couple more, along with the 2026 All-Star Game.

“I had the privilege of doing the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1976 and 1996,” said Baker. “It’s sure been a lot of fun, but I remain a big fan and always will be.”

Baker, 73, said it is “not inconceivable” that he would still be around to be the voice of the 2026 Midsummer Classic. “The All-Star Game would be when I’m still in my 70s. … Bob Sheppard announced until he was 97 years old. So, if he can go until 97, I can go until 80. … I have a lot of energy. I’m enjoying this so much.”

4: John Middleton

As bad of Phillies Managing Partner John Middleton‘s “spending stupid money” comment may have been last offseason, in retrospect, it has significant, underlying meaning.

Middleton cares.

Having not clinched a postseason berth since 2011, Middleton was, and remains dedicated to do whatever it takes to field a contending team.

“Mantras are a lot of fun,” Middleton told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury earlier this month. “But we just want to acquire players that will make us meaningfully better. All of our efforts this offseason will be geared toward that.”

Over the past two years, the Phillies have spent more than a half-billion dollars on free agents. That simply would not have been possible without a dedicated and committed owner willing to spend, as is Middleton.

And, the spending may not be over, with looming free agents such as Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon, among others, still being possibilities to don red pinstripes. The luxury tax still remains a factor, but Middleton and fellow Phillies brass are willing to exceed it if they feel the team is ready to compete for the World Series championship.

5: Citizens Bank Park

While no longer one of the newer stadiums in Major League Baseball, Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies since 2004, continues to draw millions to its fan-friendly set-up and offerings.

The Phillies have made some renovations to the facility in recent seasons, such as revamping its Wall of Fame wall, adding dining venues and the kid-friendly “The Yard,” with a wiffle ball field, ice cream bar and other offerings.

Not to mention, just about any seat at the venue has a great view of the action on the field. Concerts, too; entering 2019, the venue has hosted two dozen concerts, including several by “The Piano Man” himself, Billy Joel.

It was hard to say goodbye to the Vet after the 2003 season, yet it’s easy to say we are glad to be able to watch at least 81 Phillies games each season at Citizens Bank Park.

6: J.T. Realmuto

An All-Star appearance, Gold Glove Award, Silver Slugger Award, and even a 14th-place finish in the National League Most Valuable Player Award race.

RELATED | Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto having a legendary season

J.T. Realmuto had an excellent first season in red pinstripes. In 145 games, the six-year veteran slashed .275/.328/.493 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 41 walks.

Among National Leaguers, he recorded the fifth-most sacrifice flies (8), and, at the plate, the most double plays turned (14) and caught stealings (43) by catchers.

He became the Phillies’ first Silver Slugger Award winner since Chase Utley in 2009, and just the second-ever Phillies catcher to win such honor, joining Darren Daulton in 1992. Also, the Del City, Oklahoma, native became the first Phillies player to win a Gold Glove since Jimmy Rollins in 2012, and the third-ever Phillies catcher, joining Bob Boone and Mike Lieberthal.

RELATED | Phillies will have to make J.T. Realmuto the most expensive catcher in baseball

While a contract decision looms, it surely is on the Phillies’ minds; both sides have already shown mutual interest to come to an agreement.

They call Realmuto the “Best Catcher in Baseball” for a reason, and, for that, Phillies fans should be thankful he calls Philadelphia his home.

7: Phillie Phanatic

From the “Best Catcher in Baseball” in J.T. Realmuto, to the best mascot in sports, the Phillie Phanatic.

The Phanatic brings so much to the atmosphere of the ballpark; while his route is largely the same, it still finds a way to bring smiles to fans of all ages.

In a sense, the Phanatic is the perfect symbol or representative of the Philadelphia fan. He is always there to cheer on his team, through good times and bad.

He has been there for generations of Phillies fans already, and hopefully for many more to come.

8: Fans

There would be no Phillies baseball without the fans themselves.

Remember the string of consecutive sellouts at Citizens Bank Park? The atmosphere inside the stadium was can’t-miss, especially during the postseason. While there have been more “seas of blue” in recent years, that does not mean the fans no longer care by any stretch.

Phillies fans have a greater impact than we might think. A common denominator for most players coming back is them saying the support they received from Phillies fans during their playing career meant so much to them.

The fans are there to give the players an extra push to be the best versions of themselves. They expect greatness and effort, and nothing less, or the players will surely hear it.

Without a doubt, there are many reasons to be thankful for the Phillies faithful.

9: World Series Championships

While the Phillies do not have as nearly World Series champions as do the New York Yankees’ 27, for example, the two they do have will forever be cherished.

Winning the World Series is no easy task. It involves getting past a 162-game schedule with good health, a good record, and positive team chemistry, among other factors. Then, there are several playoff games and series to overcome, before reaching Major League Baseball’s biggest stage, the World Series.

What are the seasons we remember most, those of disappointment, such as the tragic 2011 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, or those of success at the highest level, 1980 and 2008.

For those that were alive, surely the latter. It’s simply like no other; every little detail about the season is cherished. The good times and bad, the highs and the lows. It all goes for naught, because at the end of a day, a parade went down Broad Street.

10: 2020 Season

It is easy to look ahead to Opening Day 2020, but it should not be something taken for granted. Having Major League Baseball as an entertainment option is simply not available for those in other parts of the country, and the world as a whole. Even in the U.S., leagues are folding, such as the Arena Football League who announced their bankruptcy filing on Wednesday.

Be thankful you can go to Citizens Bank Park and watch your favorite team play. Be thankful there is not a strike or lockout. Be thankful the Phillies go above and beyond each day to strive to represent the city in the best way possible.

Phillies baseball is a great thing. It connects everyone, no matter what demographic or background they come from. Everyone loves seeing their favorite player field their position, step in the batter’s box, launch a home run, you name it.

Baseball is like no other.

Clearly, there are a lot of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving above life overall, and especially the Phillies. Consider if one of those things on the list went away tomorrow, and how that would change your perception.

Nothing in life is a given. Appreciate everything you know and love today, as for tomorrow who knows what’s in store.

Thank you, Phillies.