Garrett Stubbs says the Phillies have the best clubhouse in MLB.
The Philadelphia Phillies are not just entering their second season under manager Rob Thomson, but also with their starting and backup catching tandem. A four-year veteran who coincidentally began his career with the Phillies' 2022 World Series rival Houston Astros, Garrett Stubbs will once again serve as J.T. Realmuto's backup in the coming season.
Playing in 46 games last season, Stubbs slashed a respectable .264/.350/.462 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 16 RBI, and 14 walks across 121 plate appearances. The California native committed just three errors behind the backstop spanning 298 chances and 294 2/3 innings.
Stubbs is unique in having been on the losing side of consecutive World Series, as he was with the Astros when they fell to the Phillies' division-rival Atlanta Braves in the 2021 Fall Classic.
Stubbs surely is hoping the third time will be the charm in 2023 — and he would not want it any other way than to do so while donning red pinstripes. In a conversation with NBC Sports Philadelphia during Saturday's spring training opener in Clearwater, Florida, Stubbs said the Phillies' clubhouse is the best in Major League Baseball.
""[Our clubhouse is] the best and I don't say that lightly. It is as good as it gets in any clubhouse across the league, and I would put money on it. It's so much fun coming here every day and actually being with guys who you like to spend time with.""Garrett Stubbs
Ring it, Garrett Stubbs!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/95v2b6Uump
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 17, 2022
While Stubbs acknowledged that he does not get to choose his teammates, he recognized the Dave Dombrowski-led front office for doing a great job of bringing in really good people. Among them, Stubbs says, is infielder Josh Harrison — who was previously a Phillie before being released just before Opening Day of the shortened 2020 season.
"" … he is already in here and feels good around the clubhouse. Those are the kind of personalities that we like. We want everyone to be themselves because that's how you get the best player.""Garrett Stubbs
Stubbs — who will soon leave Phillies spring training to represent Israel at next month's World Baseball Classic — continued that the clubhouse atmosphere has been "a lot of fun," particularly during their Red October run last fall.
"And we plan on doing it this year, too," added Stubbs.