Baseball is hard sometimes and it is easy for players to get frustrated when things aren’t going well. What’s even harder is keeping a good attitude throughout a grueling 162-game season, especially if you’re on a team with playoff aspirations. Thus is the case for Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Schwarber is amid one of his best stretches as a Phillies player, lighting up the box score in June once again, as he so often does. There is just something about this month that brings out the best in Schwarber, who has a carer .945 OPS in June after his two-homer night on Monday.
His 60 home runs in 172 games in June are the fastest any MLB player has reached those power numbers, per Bob Nightengale.
As the Phillies leadoff hitter, Schwarber has been labeled a leader both on and off the field. The 31-year-old is trying to shed that mantra and just go out there and play baseball.
“The leader stuff got worn out in ’22,” Schwarber said, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “It was just like shut the f— up about it already. Right? I’m not the f—ing reason that we’re in the World Series. I’m just being me.
“I’m not saying, ‘I’m the leader.’ I’m just being me. I think that’s the thing. It’s just weird because everyone wants to label that.”
Whatever Schwarber is, he's been everything the Phillies have asked him to be as the leadoff hitter and everyday designated hitter. It's not easy to just hit all the time as a player who usually only hits a home run, walks or strikes out.
Schwarber has been hitting a ton of home runs lately (five in his last seven games) and has an OPS of 1.000 in June. Maybe this is the start of something more for the Phillies slugger.
Phillies unleash vibes in the clubhouse, on the field
Part of the reason why the Phillies are so fun to watch and why they have the best record in the National League is due to their chemistry. Winning of course helps build that chemistry and the Phillies have done plenty of winning since Schwarber signed.
Even though he doesn’t feel like a leader, Schwarber plays the part according to his Phillies teammates.
“He’s a great leader,” Whit Merrifield said. Merrifield, who is four years older than Schwarber, knows that the Phillies DH isn’t a fan of the leader label.
“But he’s a true leader,” Merrifield said. “I’ve had teammates that have tried to be Kyle. It’s just not something that you can be. You can’t force it. It’s either you are or you aren’t. And Kyle is.”
Few have been able to emulate Kyle Schwarber's charismatic approach to baseball and life. It's that exact approach that has made him one of the most valuable leadoff hitters in the league. Without him, who knows where the Phillies would be.
When the Phillies are clicking on all cylinders everyone in their lineup is hitting like crazy. This year they are adding an unbelievable starting rotation and pitching staff. Putting that all together sounds like a recipe for another shot at a World Series.
The Phillies are among the best teams in baseball due to talent, vibes and leadership. At times Kyle Schwarber exudes all three and brings out the best in Philadelphia's clubhouse.
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