Phillies: Didi Gregorius ‘always hungry’ for the postseason
By Matt Rappa
The Philadelphia Phillies made the re-signing of Didi Gregorius official on Wednesday. After an impressive 2020 season, his first donning red pinstripes, the star shortstop will remain with the team on a two-year, $28 million contract.
Gregorius shined in 2020, slashing .284/.339/.488 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs, 40 RBI, 15 walks, and just 28 strikeouts spanning 237 plate appearances and all 60 games. But, for the nine-year veteran, he was far from satisfied with the Phillies’ overall season outcome — finishing one win short of its first postseason berth since 2011.
Coincidentally, the Phillies have never made the postseason ever since Gregorius first debuted in the majors as a 22-year-old — facing future Hall of Fame pitcher Roy Halladay in an early September 2012 contest.
Didi Gregorius has high hopes for the Phillies this coming season.
The Netherlands native believes the team has what it takes to end their postseason drought in 2021. “I’m always hungry to get to the playoffs. That’s what you play for and where you want to be,” Gregorius told reporters. “You want to be in the World Series. We have a great group of guys that can do that.”
Gregorius added that from top to bottom, everyone can do damage in the lineup and help each other out. “The team is going to be better. We came short last year, but this is a new year,” he said. “You have to go for it.”
When asked how close the team is to World Series contention, the shortstop acknowledged that they could always get better, but they have the players in place that if everyone does the job they are supposed to, the sky is the limit. “I think we are definitely going to be there and play even harder to win the World Series,” he said. “This team is good.”