Harrison Bader’s time in Philadelphia was brief, but it clearly was a fun one. After spending part of the season with the Phillies before signing with the San Francisco Giants this winter, the veteran outfielder reflected on what the experience meant to him on and off the field, giving a shoutout to some of the top players on the Phillies.
For Bader, the decision to leave wasn’t about anything other than the businessside of things. He said it was about finding long-term stability, which the Giants gave him with a two-year, $20.5 million deal.
“I’ll just say this now: My time in Philadelphia was probably some of the best baseball I’ve ever been a part of,” Bader said, per Phillies Nation. “That was the most incredible fanbase I ever had the opportunity to play in front of for a couple months. You go around that locker room, and I don’t want to leave anybody out. But you talk about Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, those are guys you just have so much respect for.”
Bader spoke about the culture in the Phillies’ clubhouse, citing the professionalism that the group showed during his time there.
“The way I put it is they sit at a different table in the major leagues,” he continued. “The energy they bring, the talent they have, their level of production, their level of consistency. Getting to share a locker room with those guys is something I will remember forever.”
While his tenure in Philadelphia lasted for only a couple of months, Bader said the experience helped shape what he was looking for in his next destination. Bader explained that the professionalism he experienced with the Phillies helped set a new standard, which he hopes to carry into his new role with the Giants.
However, it also brings up the question on whether the Phillies fanbase should be made with Dave Dombrowski for losing him.
“And you talk about the front office and some personnel. Rob Thomson, Kevin Long, John Middleton brought his energy every single day whenever he was at the ballpark,” Bader said. “It’s just a fantastic ownership group. Dave Dombrowski every single day, whether it was on the road or before and after the game.”
For all we know, the Phillies could be working with a budget. However, it sounds like Bader wanted to stay, and someone has to be blamed for that.