All right. We are pleased to be joined by Donnie Sands. He was, uh, eighth round selection. The 243rd overall pick by the New York Yankees out of Sal Point Catholic High School in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on November 19th, 2021. And you, sir? Major, major league debut for the Phillies. On September 2nd of this season, um, against the San Francisco Giants. And let's just go ahead and start there, dude.
Um, we can work our way back and talk about your story, but what was it like when you finally made your big league debut when you got that call and then when you showed up at Oracle Park, your name's on the locker, you got a jersey hanging. You made it to the show, what was it all like? And now that you've had a little bit of time to reflect on that, what does it, what does it mean to you? Yeah, I mean, first of all, Cam, always good to see you, my dog.
Um, and bro, honestly, uh, now that I have had some time to sit back and. Chill and see, like you said, what, what has gone on and, you know, everything that happened, it was honestly surreal. Um, I was just sitting, uh, we were in, um, Norfolk, Virginia, and uh, it was kind of funny, you know, like I, I had been having, um, a good year this year coming up to, and you know, being on the 40.
Uh, I got put on by the Yankees in the trade to the Philly, so I knew that the time was coming close and then it's, it's, it's like nearing the end of the year. So you shark in a little, I don't know if fancy is the right word, but a little like little pressure that you wanna get up there, you know, especially you're doing well. And I had a talk with one of my, uh, mentors back home actually, August. 31st.
Um, and we were just, we had a FaceTime probably at midnight and we were talking and, you know, a lot of emotions going of just like, you know, when, whenever the time's gonna be, the time will be right. You know, and to, to not get down and just keep. Putting, uh, one foot in front of the other. And then I, I think literally I'm laying in bed two hours later and it's one 30 in the morning, and then I get a phone call from our, uh, gm.
And I, when I saw his name, it's, it's like I almost didn't even wanna answer the phone. Like, I I didn't even think it was, uh, real. I, I, I knew what the call was, right? Um, Right. And. Yeah, dude, All of a sudden you go from being at like a la uh, you go from being in like a LaQuinta, Norfolk, Virginia to like on a, on a first class flight, uh, across the country to San Francisco. And, uh, yeah, man, just absurd. It's, it's, you know, I mean, you found me, dude, for.
I mean, um, a majority of my life. And you work hard and you expect things to happen for sure. And you, uh, it's, it's not a surprise, you know, because you put an eye foot in all that work furthest to happen, but then for it actually to happen, you actually to get that call, um, there is like a, a surreal moment. Um, and then, yeah, man, it's just, it's, it's just been a roller coaster. Yeah. I can't even imagine, dude. But it.
It's so awesome that you got that opportunity and that like it, it finally paid off, right? We're talking about all the hard work and the, you know, trust the process. Everybody can say trust the process, but to actually be there and be in the grind and do it, you know.
And for that to finally pay off and you to kind of, And, and by no means are you at the end of the road yet, but you know, it's one of those things that, that, that is the first step on, on your next sort of goals and, and accomplishments that you wanna, you wanna have for your career. Right. Is to, to make that percent by getting into the bigs. So, and I was lucky enough to be there at, uh, you know, for that weekend that you debuted in San Fran. Man, it was, it was so awesome.
You got a great support staff around you. Um, and for the listeners, a little bit of background on Donnie and I's relationship we. Grew up playing ball together, um, for, for a long time. Um, basically grew up together. Donnie's late Father Roger was our coach for a majority of that period. Um, and so, and so that's, that's how we know each other and that's, that's kind of where our relationship stems from. And, you know, um, just happy to, to see you, you know, have that payoff, man.
And so let's talk a little bit more though about your, about kind of the grind, because like I said, you know, dude, it's. It's one thing for people to sit from the sides sidelines and say, you know, trust the process and keep your nose of the grindstone and stuff. But when you're clawing your way up through minor league baseball and then you have the pandemic season on top of it, you know, kind of just walk me through like just how much of a grind the minor league system was and.
And kind of how you, you got to the top. Yeah. Uh, I mean, I'm gonna try to be as raw and as pure as possible about saying this. Uh, dude, the minor leagues, you just like get kicked in the teeth a lot of times. You know, you, you're getting kicked in the teeth, as I'm saying. And, uh, that's how I would describe the minor leagues, you know, especially professional baseball was such. A competitive, intense, um, political.
Like there's a lot of things, you know, that go on in minor league baseball that, um, there's people signed and as you know, first rounds for a lot of money. I give more chances. Lay round guys that have to prove themselves guys in the middle that, uh, Just have to grind.
And again, like, you know, my story, I was a third baseman shorts up and then I got converted to catch it right in the, like in like you go to the hardest position on the field in already the hardest atmosphere, professional baseball. So it's a, it's a, it was a super tough thing. Um, thank God. I think just being born, I've always had the attitude of like, You know, uh, for any challenge and the, you know, the resiliency. So that's what I, I, I looked forward to.
But yeah, man, it's a, it's a grind. It's just, it's so many years of uncer, like uncertainty. And then, um, just thinking of, I would say this why the games are frustrating game. It's because you can put, let's just say your whole life. Grind as hard as you can put everything, and then the game doesn't owe you anything. So just because you put in all this time, it's not securing you. You're gonna go to the big leagues or you're gonna go. You know, and so you can't let that creep in your head.
So it's just a frustrating thing. Uh, at some point, uh, going up through the levels, I think was seven years, 2015, uh, to finally get a lot of injuries. You know, you go through I repeated levels. Um, you and I, you're learning a lot. And it's just a lot of long years, not a lot of off time, a lot of training the off season cuz you're pushing for this one goal man to get that call and then, like you said, for it to finally happen, man.
It's, it's, uh, yeah, it's like I'm, I'm speechless to, to be dish honest with you. Do you think that there was any, like one thing in particular that changed from when you first started your professional career to the time that you made your big league debut? Like what, what do you think was the biggest thing that changed for you and like how, is there any one thing that you could look at and say like, That's where I figured it out and that's where I got here now.
Yeah, I mean there's, uh, like in life to me, I mean, you knew my dad really well, so I, I had a really good foundation of like, you know, being, uh, Resilient and, you know, hardheaded and like, you know, never not being like soft minded, you know, it's like having this like never quit mentality, right? But then so you take that into baseball and, uh, like, I mean, I always say it's the people that honestly believed in me and sucked their neck out for me.
It wasn't necessarily one thing I did, but it was probably the people that believed in me, uh, like a guy. Name a few guys. Guy Josh Paul, who was our, uh, catching coordinator at the time, who I think stood in a room full of a ton of front office people in the Yankees and said, Hey, I don't, I don't know what I see, but I think this kid's gonna be a major league catcher one day. And I, I think a lot of people told him he was crazy and, and, uh, almost cost him his job.
But you know, guys that actually stick out for you, Uh, a guy who's one of our catching coaches on the big league team, Hector a bogo. Yep. Um, who again? When you're at your worst and you suck, and which I sucked when I first started, I'll say that very, like, I was one of the worst catchers probably anyone ever seen professionally, And the people stick there for you and they're like, there's gonna, there's gonna be something there. Like, you just gotta work your ass off.
Um, you know, guys like that. So. And just learning man, like managers who almost scared. Just people that have been in the game that understand the frustrations, Like I say, yeah, it wasn't certainly something I did. Cause I, I do believe I always had the talent and I always had the work ethic. And at some point, you know, you can be as good as you want or whatever, but you just need the break. Like, you just need to get your chance.
And that's, that's a lot of the time you see in baseball, it's not necessarily always the best guy or it's like, dude, whatever the timing's right, you. Um, For sure. So, and it kinda all just clicks. Yeah. Yeah, man, it's just time's different for everybody. So, uh, You know, after nagging called up, you know, it's just like, and then the other guys, let's just say struggling hitting 200, but two guys get hurt and all of a sudden they're in the big leagues all whole year.
Like it's just, Yeah, baseball's a weird game like that if it's not necessarily always the best guy. Best time, but that's why you just gotta stay super focused and it's like, dude, when it's your time, it's gonna be your time. Um, yeah. And just keep, you know, just keep going forward. But yeah, I think it was just the people that believed. Uh, ba base professional. Baseballs such a, like a mentally grinding thing.
That's probably, it's not even the physically, it's just the mental grinded of your way for so much time. And well, if you have a good support system, good friends who, good people that have you just keep going forward. That's probably the biggest thing. Yeah. No, that's, that's awesome man. It's, uh, I think that you. Minor league baseball and like the process of becoming a, a major league baseball player is so much different than in any other sport. Right.
You have to, you have to prove yourself. Like those are the proving grounds yeah. So many people break through that process, you know what I mean? And like so many guys would in your position battling for seven years, you know, some people have doubts and they just would, might just call it, you know, call it. So it's an incredible No, for sure too. Like you're not, you're not making all that money too, and it's kinda fun.
People see, it's like they're, they're, they're going through years after year and they're like, Dude, I could be making some real money otherwise, you know, But to, for, to me it was never really that. It was, you know, the dream and the love of like, Dude, I'm gonna get there. Again, too. Baseball's such a, like you said, a what have you done for me lately? Sport.
So like you literally have to like, you could have a great year and then it's okay you have to have another great year to get a another great year. Cause you're one bad year away from, I mean, you're going home, you know? So, yeah. It's just tro yourself every year. Yeah. Oh, no, seriously, man. It's, uh, yeah, you're right. It's, it's every single year when you're in that system, you got, I'm sure you gotta, you gotta prove yourself. You know what I mean?
There's no, it's, it's what you done for me lately. So I want to talk specifically though about that pandemic year in 2020 that, you know, the season gets canceled for minor league baseball. What the hell was going through your mind? What the hell were you doing during that time? And I want to note that I think that you came out of that. uh, that year where you didn't play a single game for a full year. You came out of that as your best professional base.
Like the, you played the best ball that you had in professional, uh, in your professional career up to that point coming out of that year. And I feel like that was a, a difference maker for a lot of guys because that season, you know, taking a year off of baseball is not fucking easy, dude. And so people, Yeah, you. You know, a lot of guys couldn't make it through that, so, So what did you do and what was kind of your going through your mind during that time?
Yeah, I've never really talked about that and that's like, I'm Brian's right next to me and we talked about this, but Covid to me, and I say this very respectfully to the people that, you know, had stuff happen to them or family. Was probably the biggest blessing in disguise that had ever happened in my professional career. Mm-hmm. worked hard, so this is like the timeline. I worked hard that off season before Covid was the thing, you know, going into, what was it? 2020? Yeah, right.
2020. Yeah. Going into 2020 and like, again, just telling you the things that happened, I was expecting to get invited to Major league spring training by the Yankees. Yeah, I don't get invited to big league camp and so I'm like, as you know me, I'm the tell like, Dude, that's just more fuel than the fire, right?
So I come into camp and it gets sniped and I went home one day off of, it was every single day of working out, hitting, do, hitting three, four times a. Hitting at two in the morning when we were in California Guy Stage, me and Brian, we were looking at videos the other day. We were hitting at two, three in the morning off each dude. It was like this nonstop. Like whenever this is gonna end, whenever this just the pandemic will end at some point.
If it's tomorrow, if it's, Cuz I just heard a lot of people saying, you know, Oh well I'm gonna sit back and relax. I told myself this is gonna be the either breaking point or making point that you're gonna be a big league player. Like seriously, it was a very big um, Moment in my career too, because as you know, I mean, you're a baseball fan. During Covid, they had the spring training 2.0 where they invited guys. I was now one of those guys invited. Right, Right.
Uh, and so I remember I was literally making like a drywall, uh, for my aunt, like laying concrete in her house. And I got this call saying I wasn't getting invited to this thing. And dude, it just made me like, again, work so. Focus and intense on what I knew I was going to, uh, do coming outta Covid and then so's over. Right. Covid comes over. I'm, I'm ready to go now it's 2020 and I don't get invited to big league camp again. Yep. Right. So then I've, in spring training and minor league camp.
I think the thing was I went like 20 for 25 with seven homers in minor league spring training. Yeah. You raped and then everyone Yeah, and everyone's like, What? You know what the. What hell is going on And, uh, I go to AA and then the, you know, history, I mean, I think all together that Usper guy hit like 28 home runs like two 70 and, and got put on the major league roster.
So it was, uh, again, that we say everyone has choices in their life, like make or break forks in the road where you, you pick one way and stuff can go a lot different and. That, uh, that, uh, Covid dude was. Again, I spent a lot of time with my mom, a lot of time with family, and it was just a super motivating time, uh, for me and like again, we took full advantage of it.
Yeah. That's so crazy, dude, because it is, and it was a make or break point in your career and so many other guys careers too, like and just, Yeah, just my free agent year in the minor leagues. It was year seven, so it was like either, like I knew what had to, I hadn't played, You knew it was at stake, like. Yeah. Oh, I, yeah. And I said, its, it's time to turn it up here. I you, and you took matters in your, you gotta in your own hands.
Gotta, Yeah. You gotta just force people to make, you know, to Yeah. Honestly, that, that's sick. And like I said, it's crazy because I can't imagine because. Missing a full year of baseball, like is no joke. And then you have to step back in and be expected to perform right away, you know, against, against professional caliber pitching again, you know, as soon as you come back. So the work that you put in during that time is o obviously evident, you know, So it, it was crazy.
My first live app that after Covid in spring was a home run, My first step at that and I was like, you know, here we go. Yep. So it's nice that, so that season ends, right? You have a great year, um, in the minors for the Yankees, and then offseason rolls around. You get traded in November of last year, about a year ago, almost a year ago, to the day now, uh, what was kind of going through your mind during that time?
You had just mentioned, like you just mentioned, you got added to the big league roster for the New York Yankees and then, and then, uh, a short time after that, they traded you right? Yeah. So I mean, when I got added it was like probably sickest day of my life when I got added to the four man for the Yankees. Yeah. Like I, I still remember the, the, the deadline day of like, what was, when they had to add me, you know, I was gonna be a free agent regardless.
I knew I was gonna have good opportunities cuz what I had done that year, you know, I was gonna go to some team, but. You know, everyone was saying, I remember talking to my agent and telling, you know, well after this year, you know, you can make some good money as a free agent. You know, people start making five 30 grand. And I was like, I don't want that. I wanna be on league roster.
and uh, dude, it's like down to the final day I'm in LA and I think there's like an hour left and I, I'm downstairs and Brian's upstairs and all a sudden he, like, my phone starts ringing. I remember he like Brian, some guy Brian Cashman's. So I sprint up, answer the phone, dude, and. Again, I just started crying, dude. And me and Brian like, fall to the bed crying together, dude. And yeah, you're a major league player, dude. For the, for the most historic sports team ever.
You know, like not a lot of people get to say that we're added to the major league roster for these Yankees. Right. Um, and then I'm walking. In a mall in uh, LA and I, again, I see my phone ring, it's Brian Cashman and Heather said, This is really good, or, or not so good. I don't know why. Brian Cashman's told me again in a week, and then it was super short. He said, Hey, Donnie, uh, think you're gonna have a great opportunity. Congrats. You've been trade to the Philadelphia Phillies.
And I had never, I was, I had no clue. I think he asked me, Hey, do you have any questions? And I was just silent. And, you know, he goes, uh, I think. Dave, you know what our, our present GM will be will be getting in contact with you. All the Phillie guys will be getting in contact with you. And then literally two minutes later, every Philly staff started calling me from, I think got a call At the time, Joe Ard was our manager. So like everyone starts calling me, dude.
And I, I was like in shock, you know? I was like, what Just happen? I'm on the Phillies now, I guess. So it was, yeah, it was a weird, it was super weird. Uh, but yeah, kinda a whirlwind. Yeah. Yeah. But, but then you, then you, uh, transition into the Phillies organization. Right. And it sounds like they, they embraced you and obviously it worked out well for you because you ended up making your major league debut this season.
And, um, what kind of, is there any huge differences that, that you've, between the two organizations, like the way they're operated or anything? Yeah, I mean, I think, I think it's just like, uh, anything, you know, any organization, not even necessarily baseball, any job, they have their own way about going things, you know, their own what, what they thinks important, you know, that's in any job or, um, certain, uh, standards and stuff like that now.
But I mean, I've met good things to say about the Yankees and the Phillies. I mean, the Phillies were awesome. Like I said, as soon as I, uh, I got traded, I had every single person, literally in, in five minutes calling me from the gm, the president, like Joe Gerard, you know, our hitting coach, Kevin. It was like everybody, every training staff guy, clubhouse guy was like, Hey Don, we're super excited to have you. Like can't wait to see you in spring training.
Yeah. Um, And then the lockout happens like two days later. Oh yeah. Yeah. That's great. And then so then I like literally can't talk to anybody, so it was like, again, it was a crazy time. Yeah. No, that's awesome man. And then you, uh, you proceeded to absolutely rake again in Meyer League, uh, ball this, this year and got your opportunity in the bigs.
And um, like I mentioned, you, you know, got called up to the show in September and major debut and now looking forward for you, what's kind of your mentality and your mindset going into this off season as you prepare to take the next step with your big league career? Yeah, man. Uh, it, it was always, you know, the hardest thing people always say, you know, it's just getting your foot, your foot in the door. Yep. You know, like, you got to, like, you're respected now. You know what I'm saying?
Even like, you can have a lot of great minor league seasons, as you know, and you can hit 403 A, but. Until you get like, there's a difference of doing that one. Okay. He got to the big leagues, you know, you're like looked at differently and especially to other teams and whoever. Uh, but getting that taste, man, that, that team, I told people when we were in spring training, that was my first big league camp and getting those guys in the meetings we were in.
And it was kind of funny, I saw a lot of people like, Hey man, the fillers are gonna go to the World Series. Like, and I'm saying this in, it just, I felt like those E 60. Like sports Center likes and you're like, you're able to be there and getting some abs and gonna catch the game. I mean, you were there, you know, it, it, it's makes this off season and do the next step.
Like, I've worked hard man, like every off season, but it's gonna make this off season work, like tirelessly, like until, Because I, You see what that life is Yeah. And what that level is. And, and I know I can play at that level. Um, so yeah, man, it's gonna be a super focused, intense off season and like I say, is to again, control what I can control and compete for a job and, uh, do what I can to help that team win, you know?
That's what it is, but just put myself in the best situation possible for whatever happens. Yeah. It's like, uh, it's like you make that debut right? And you, you smell blood in the water. Now it's like you got a little taste of it, but, but you just, you just want more man. You wanna feast, you wanna sink your teeth into that thing and, and, and just you. You wanna make the most of it, right. So I, I respect that mentality, man.
It's, it's gonna be awesome to watch you going forward and just can't wait to, to, um, appreciate you being so, so open and honest about your journey and everything, man. But it's, it's, it's great that you're at where you're at now, and I'm just pulling for you going forward, dude. And there, there's so much, uh, more in front of you, so much more for you to accomplish and, and, uh, yeah man, we'll be. We'll be following you heavy.
So I want to talk to you now a little bit about, uh, let's talk about the Phillies. You already mentioned a little bit, uh, kind of where they were at, you know, and what your, your, your thoughts of the club were, um, when you were in spring training. Um, but this team was still seven games under 500 on June 2nd when they replaced Joe Gerardi with Rob Thompson.
When you got to the club in September, I mean, they were, they were kind of firmly in the playoff picture, but you kind of had a little bit of a skid there when you first first joined the team. Uh, and then they got hot. Now they're arguably the hottest team in baseball. Um, what was it like just in the clubhouse in that environment with that team and specifically manager Rob Thompson? I mean, what, what do you think he's done to kind.
To kind of turn that season around at that point in the year and, and, and, yeah. What, what is, what is the vibes like in that clubhouse? You know, when that team's playing? Well, yeah, man. Uh, I mean, like I say, first off, to have a special team, you need to have, and I say like a sick leader, and that's where Rob Thompson is, uh, He has like the lowest heart rate I think I've ever seen out of a manager. And it's like when you know there's zero panic button.
Yeah. And as a player, that's all you. Can want from, from a manager. You know, it's like I just remember like, let's just say we got, we would have a tough game or lose a lie, or even it's just baseball. You know, you, you beat teams by 20 and you'll lose by 20 the next day. So that's just baseball. Knowing that, and he's been around so much championship baseball in New York and in his career, um, like he would come into the clubhouse and look at me.
You loo and like just gimme the thumbs up and like smile and like keep going and that, that as a player, Yeah. Number one lets you be yourself. You don't have to be on eggshells, you know, And that's just a guy that understands what baseball is and understands the team he had. And, uh, yeah, man, he's, he's unbelievable. And then, um, yeah, when I went up. I mean, I can't say enough about the whole team. The whole team was unbelievable to me. The veterans, the rookies up there.
I, I like, again, I got to know everybody in spring, but one of the guys that, I mean, I looked up to a lot of like, who was a super vocal guy and was, has been in the playoffs and been on World Series Championship, seems as Kyle Schwarber man, like mm-hmm that guy would always, we would, let's say win or when we were going through that tough, tough ski, like we got swept in Atlanta, like, you know, we're going through this like tough skit and he's.
Every time doing stuff like either getting on the mic, you know, when we're on the bus or like do it like, Let's get the music bumping. It doesn't have to be like someone just died in here, like, Right, this is baseball. Like, and we're just gonna compete till the end. Like, and he knew what, what, that there was never a panic bind out of the, I mean, those are the leaders, you know, of the team and, and, uh, he was just awesome keeping it so light in the clubhouse every day.
Um, just keeping it fresh from Castanos Harper. Do those guys. I mean, it's crazy, right? Being in the clubhouse with these guys like me, me and you have known Bryce Harper since I was, He was on the cover sports illustrator when we were living in New Mexico. He's 16 years old, you know, So it's nuts. And then you see what, what championship baseball is. And I have never, like I said before, been in the big leagues.
I haven't been on World Series teams, but being with my dad and being with a lot of good. I do think I know what winning looks like. And like when I was in spring when I was telling people, Dude, this team's gonna be a legit team. It's because they, they had winners on the team. They had baseball players on the team. Yeah. Um, yeah. And that, that's, they had winning coaches. They had people that it was just like, No panic baseball. Let's try to go kick everybody's ass.
And at the end of the day, sometimes it's gonna happen, sometimes it's not. But no. Yeah. That's great, dude. That's awesome. And it shows, uh, uh, you know, the, the biggest moments throughout their post-season run have not phased the team at all, and you can tell that they've got excellent leadership. And then you watch a guy like Bryce Harper, just absolutely. Uh, Tearing the cover off the ball guy, guys, dude. I mean, yeah. What, what are your thoughts on when you see a guy like that?
You know, he's probably having the best, he's playing the best playoff baseball of his career right now. And obviously the homer on, um, in game five was massive, but like, he's just been playing super well and obviously been a leader of that, of that. Yeah, dude, he's sick. I mean, like, again, I always tell, like I, I've like joke with him. I'm like, Dude, do you know who you're like, you're Price Harbor dude.
Like, like, you know, like, let's go put the team on your back and let's go win a World Series. You know? And like that's the, And he, I mean, dude, he was one of the first guys when I got to the Phillies, I walked into the clubhouse and everyone knows who he is and he like, Comes up to me, to my locker and is like, Hey man, like, great to have you. You're gonna be a big part of this. This, Yeah. For a young guy like me, that's, that's, that pays dividends.
Students like getting, like everybody going in the same way, you know? And um, yeah, like the night, it's kind of funny, the night I got called up to the big leagues, the, the night, it's like two in the. I get a call from who? Bryce Harper. Yeah. He calls me at two in the morning. He's like, Let's go baby. Like you're joining the team. Like, dude, that's, he doesn't have to do stuff like that, you know?
Uh, so, and then getting to work with him, dude, every day, like getting to see him hit, uh, dude, that dude's a hall of famer already. Like he, he's, he's sick. So that's all I got. Like it's unbelievable getting to be around those guys. Just hit with them and just see how they go about it. But yeah, dude, that dude's got ice in his veins as he saw, just like, yeah, just nuts.
Yeah. I remember you telling me that story of him calling you when you got, when you got called up and, and you showed me the screenshot. Dude, that, that's just insane to think about. And, but yeah, he, he's, he is coldblooded man and I. I mean, I think that, So let's talk a little bit about the World Series matchup then, because I think that it's a good, fascinating matchup because it's two good pitching staffs. But the Phillies, Rake. Rake, right-Handers. They kind of have all year, I think.
I think they're just, they're just, they're putting things together offensively. It's gonna be, it's gonna be a wild one. But I mean, I think the Phillies have a good shot as anybody. They're playing, They're playing the best baseball out of anybody in the league, arguably. I mean, I know Houston hasn't lost yet this post-season, but I mean, it's tough to, to go against that meat of the order for the Phillies. Yeah. Like, dude, Houston is such a good baseball team. They play like such.
Getting to watch, like, uh, being in the big leagues, excuse me, is uh, these guys are super fundamental teams. So like Houston, like do they do the little things the right way as like Yeah, you know, like my dad, they do like, Ball hit in the gap. Double cut. Like they're not missing. It's like to the bag, it's like little things like that that you see really good baseball teams too. Right. But then also like we were one of the last teams to go into the Wild Carter. Right.
And uh, our hitting coach was Kevin Long, was on the World Series, was hitting coach, the World Series team for the Nationals in 2019 when they were the last team to get into. Yeah, same thing to wildcard and I'll just say, The playoffs, as you know, is about who's hot dude and who's got the mojo. Mm-hmm. And who's mm-hmm. and A and a hot.
And our team up there is full of nuts and psychos, dude, and that love baseball and, and it's like we have a group of young guys and veteran guys that are all. That's just a dangerous team man. Like a super dangerous two. We can hurt. I mean, we can hurt you one through four in the lineup, and then our guys at the back end can also hurt you. So it's, It's just a grind, dude. The Phillies are, it's like we talk about in the clubhouse, it's like Philly tie baseball.
It's just like blue collar grinding baseball, dude. Yeah, yeah, for sure. And that's so key when it comes to post-season play. I mean, it's just like, but like you're saying, I mean, both teams play really good baseball and Yeah