Everything to Prove

by: Jack Bing

Session 7 ends with a collective sigh from the fans. Phillies players enter the clubhouse silently in single-file, shuffling down the hall. Somewhere near the middle of the pack, Ethan Franklin is muttering about a triple play long-passed. Charlie Bae Jr. is at the end, his notepad out, jotting down numbers for the next game against St. Louis.

Not many know much about the Phillies. The Paper Cup winning team has long since reshaped their roster, however. The wins have been come-and-go, but J.A. Bird swears his team has changed for the better.

"The big names are still here," he says. "The good thing about this sport, though, is being able to bring new names into the spotlight. I believe plenty of these guys will get that chance soon enough, when we're back in the playoffs."

As the players funnel into the locker room, they pass under a framed portrait, the preseason headshot of the late Cy Hadd. Kyle Mack, one of the longest tenured Phillies alongside Conrad Love, kisses two fingers and taps the glass. Oliver Yu smiles silently.

The Phillies ace was killed early in the season by a grizzly bear on the way to a game. It was a tragedy for the whole team.

"We're getting by without him," Mack says. "We're still making sure we're productive, that we're a family. We miss him, but we know he'd want us to compete."

Family is important to the Phillies. The team gets together after every game, win or loss, and unwinds.

"I love these guys," says the scouting expert Charlie Bae Jr., a second baseman that can often be seen in the outfield. "We're on the cusp of something great here, and I think it's shown in these last few weeks."

Despite the recent loss, the Phillies have relied on strong pitching to solidify back-to-back wins in Sessions 5 and 6, including one against their longtime rivals, the Washington Nationals. J.A. Bird credits the new addition of Owen Uridge in breaking their early-season slump.

"Great pitcher, great guy," comments the general manager. "I hated to see Hunter go, but I don't think we could have won that game against Washington without Owen."

Uridge has been in All-Star caliber long before being traded from San Francisco. The silent assassin of the Phillies rotation has given up 2 runs in 8 innings pitched. Still, the pitcher sits disappointed with himself in the viewing room of the clubhouse, already preparing for his next game on the Gold Coast Goldies.

"Owen is great," comments Zack Andersen, a newcomer onto the team. He's come off of a home-run inning, and is still getting pats on the back about it. "He's silent, but he's a nice guy, and he is very dedicated to the game."

Perhaps the opposite of Uridge is Hudson Quin. The Philly closer slams his locker as he rants to himself about his earned run, which ended up being the deciding run of the game. Outfielder Jackson Takegi smirks and comes over to offer him a shoulder massage, to which Quin swats him away. The clubhouse folds to some laughter.

It's a line, the laughter. It is where Session 7 ends, and Session 8 begins. Charlie Bae Jr. calls some guys over, and players immediately crowd around his notes, some nodding, some asking him questions. Jamison Wells offers some quick insight, and the two discuss batting options. It's on to St. Louis for their next game, and they are already preparing.

"We don't let a lot get to us," says third baseman and 2-time Player of the Game Miguel Snow. "We look ahead, we're always looking ahead."

To what? Miguel Snow grins.

"The Paper Cup," he says.

There's a lot of fake baseball left, and the Phillies believe they have as much a shot as any. First they'll need to surmount .500 once more, but it isn't new.

"We'll do it," says team captain Kyle Mack. "No doubt we'll do it. This is a playoff team, no question."

Around the clubhouse, the sentiment is echoed. The Phillies are sure they are going to win it all once more.

"I think we have a fantastic team here," says J.A. Bird with a smile. "This is a club, win or lose, and I think that's all you can ask for. The wins always come to a club like this, one with such talent and such passion. The MLR better watch out."

For now, it remains to be seen. The Phillies are going into the lion's den as they head to St. Louis. But as St. Louis knows all too well, underdogs are always the hungriest.