Jun 14, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with first baseman Bryce Harper (3) after hitting a first inning solo home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Tommy Gilligan
Fans and media often surmise that someone is a great "clubhouse guy" without truly knowing. It may be that a player smiles a lot on the field, or seems to be well-liked by their teammates in the limited glimpses that the public gets.
But even media members that get to spend time in the clubhouse before and after each game only get part of the picture. Players are aware when media is present, and naturally are going to be much more open when cameras and recorders aren't around them.
So in an attempt to truly understand what makes someone a clubhouse guy and who some examples are that fit the description of that role, On Pattison spoke to a slew of veteran Phillies players and manager Rob Thomson.
"I think just that — support of each other," Thomson said. "I think knowing other people and how they react to certain things and how you can support them when things aren't going well. And we have a lot of those guys running around."
Thomson declined to mention any specific names out of fear of omitting someone, but said "there's been a lot" of great clubhouse guys he's been around during his career.
"We got a couple good guys on this team, obviously," Harper said. "I think of Schwabrer, Trea. I think every team kind of has like a glue guy. I think Rhys was that type of guy for us.
"I think having a guy like that on each team or any team that you play on is definitely huge. Somebody that can run the mic on the bus, certain things like that. Bringing guys together with dinners, certain things like that outside of the field. Obviously, video games, all that kind of stuff, just kind of the camaraderie that kind of builds. I think when you look at winning teams, they have those type of guys and it's huge for any club."
"I would say 1) their energy every day, and just how they are day-to-day, no matter if they went 0-for-5 or 5-for-5 or threw a complete game or gave up 10 in the first inning," Walker said. "Like I think a clubhouse guy would be, I mean, I guess Schwarber would be the prime example. Shows up to the field, smile on his face every day ... happy ... makes sure everyone's good ... says hi to everyone. But just, it's the same guy no matter what."
Prior to joining the Phillies in 2023, Walker had previously pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets. Is there anyone else in his career that stands out as a great clubhouse guy?
"My favorite guy that I've always heard good things about ... I never got to play with him ... but Torii Hunter was always a guy I heard like 'Hey, this is the guy you want to be in the clubhouse, is Torii Hunter.'"
Matt Strahm was a teammate of Eric Hosmer's on three different occasions. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)"Just a good teammate," Strahm said. "I mean, if you're not in a clubhouse, you're not gonna get it."
When asked for an example, Strahm pointed to someone he was a teammate of with the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.
"Yeah, I mean, I spent the first seven seasons with him in the big leagues with three different teams and he was the same in every clubhouse. So I'd have to say Eric Hosmer."
"It's like a glue guy," Marsh said. "It's a guy that keeps everyone's mind just like level-headed, you know? It's a tough game we play, it's the best game. But guys like that really help keep everyone, like I said, level-headed and just ready to go for the next day."
Marsh then discussed some of the best clubhouse guys the Phillies have had since he joined the team in August of 2022.
"Yeah, there's plenty," Marsh responded. "You got Schwarber ... you got Stubby ... you got Rhys Hoskins. There's a bunch of guys in here that are glue guys and that can also play very, very well out there on the field. But yeah, those guys really stuck out to me."
"I think it's a guy that connects well with everyone," Romano said. "Like easygoing, usually keeps it light, keeps it kind of light all year round. Obviously during the course of 162, there's gonna be tough times, like rough times. A guy that just kind of of keeps it light, keeps it loose, doesn't let the stresses of the game kind of get in here. I'd say that's kind of like what a good clubhouse guy does."
Romano is in his first season with the Phillies after spending six years with the Blue Jays. He named a player from each stop that fits the description of being a great clubhouse guy.
"Like just here, I think Schwarber is a great one," Romano said. "Schwarber is a great clubhouse guy. He's always keeping it light, and everyone likes being around him ... enjoys him ... and obviously his play on the field, you know, that helps out a lot."
"Another guy would be Kevin Kiermaier," Romano added. "I mean, postgame he always did like little speeches shouting out the boys on the bus, always making jokes. So I'd say Schwarber here, and then Kiermaier was awesome."
"Good clubhouse guy, in my opinion, would be somebody who has good energy and is friends with everybody," Banks said. "I wouldn't necessarily say vocal, but is kind of involved and also leads by example, like gets his stuff done ... knows when to turn it on and off, but has a good like, infectious energy and personality."
Schwarber was the overwhelming answer given by Phillies when they were asked for an example of a clubhouse guy, but Banks named two others.
"I mean, I think the obvious answer is Garrett Stubbs," Banks replied. "Big clubhouse [guy], good energy, great guy. Another guy is Edmundo Sosa. Great guy ... makes his rounds and says hi to everybody every day ... works hard ... maybe a little on the quieter side, but he's kind and polite and treats everybody the same."
