May 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) celebrates a run scored in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Phillies have turned their fortunes around on their current homestand following a stretch where they lost nine of 10, including being swept by the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates.
Since returning home on June 9, they've won two consecutive series against the Chicago Cubs and the Toronto Blue Jays.
So what's the secret to the turnaround? More clutch hitting? Better bullpen performances?
No, it's actually a bamboo plant in manager Rob Thomson's office.
The stalks of bamboo sit on a side table, inside a stemless wine glass adorned with a Phillies "P" inside the outline of Pennsylvania.
According to Thomson, hitting coach Kevin Long's wife Marcey was in his office on May 29, the day before the Brewers series began.
"She said, 'Let me take that home, get it some sunlight, and bring it back to you,'" Thomson said.
Marcey took the bamboo plant home. The Phillies proceeded to get swept by Milwaukee at home, lose a series in Toronto, and get swept in Pittsburgh by one of the most woefully incompetent teams in Major League Baseball.
"The last day in Pittsburgh, Long called Marcey, and he said, 'You better get that damn thing back in Tops's office,'" Thomson said with a laugh.
— Paul Poluszny (@paulpozluvr) June 15, 2025
Marcey brought the original bamboo back. She also bought a bigger bamboo plant for the office, since she "wasn't sure whether this thing was alive."
Since the return of the bamboo, the Phillies have won series against the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs and Blue Jays, who are tied for second place in the AL East.
To add it all up: from May 29 to June 8, the Phillies went 1-8 without the bamboo. They're 4-1 against two good teams since its restoration.
"That's the story of our success," Thomson joked.
So, is it luck? Is it better hitting? Is it reminiscent of Bamboo Brad Miller in 2019? Perhaps all three can be true.
One thing is certain, though: that bamboo is not leaving Thomson's office any time soon.
