The 2018 Philadelphia Phillies became the first team in Major League Baseball history to be at least 15 games above .500 as late as August 7 and still finish with a below .500 record. The Phillies got off to such a hot start but faded fast. Today we found out how frustrations boiled over inside the Phillies clubhouse.
Jeff Passan had a story up on ESPN. Carlos Santana got so mad at his teammates that he took a bat to the TV. Rightfully so, the players were playing Fortnite during games in the middle of a 9 game losing streak:
“When the Philadelphia Phillies lost their ninth consecutive game toward the end of last September, veteran first baseman Carlos Santana felt like he needed to send a message to his teammates who he said spent portions of the game against the Atlanta Braves playing video games in the clubhouse. Santana grabbed a bat, retreated to the room at Citizens Bank Park where the gaming took place and smashed the TV to ensure there would be no more “Fortnite” the final two days of the season.”
“I see a
couple players — I don’t want to say names — they play video games during the game,” Santana told ESPN. “We come and lose too many games, and I feel like they weren’t worried about it. Weren’t respecting their teammates or coaches or the staff or the office. It’s not my personality. But I’m angry because I want to make it good.”
This is one of those things that only comes up if you’re losing. I can promise you that this type of stuff happens in winning clubhouses too. I can also promise you that some guys only show up to batting practice so they can pick their boogers and chat with some guys. Not everyone works hard. Some guys are a hell of a lot more concerned about playing Fortnite than they are going 4-4. That’s just the reality. Contracts are guaranteed so who cares? That mentality is more common than you think.
I love this move by Carlos Santana. I would probably have a similar reaction regardless of whether the team was winning or losing. I’m going over there and attacking any guy who plays video games during the middle of a game (Unless it’s a starting pitcher who just pitched his ass off and needs 20 minutes to cool down before doing arm exercises). Santana was traded back to the Indians this offseason.
