Add Rob Thomson to the list of Phillies who believe the fanbase has played an integral role in their success this season.
Similarly to last season, the 2023 Phillies, particularly of late, have had some electric moments at Citizens Bank Park. Chief among them was the ovation they gave Trea Turner amid his struggles, which since has helped him turn his season around.
Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter shortly thereafter, and told 94 WIP that the Turner ovation made him want to pitch in front of Phillies fans.
So, there’s been something of a love affair between the team and the city. Thomson said Wednesday on the 94 WIP Morning Show that the support from the fanbase has helped more than just Turner.
"Yeah, it just energizes the players," Thomson said. "And I think when our fanbase stood up for Trea, it not only changed Trea’s season, but in some ways it changed everybody’s season because this is a group that’s really tight-knit, they care about each other. Nobody likes getting booed – but it’s part of the game and you’ve got to deal with it – but everybody felt for Trea because they knew how hard he was working, how hard he was trying. So when that happened and then he broke out, I think everybody just sort of loosened up a little bit.
"Last year, I talked to a friend of mine who was on the coaching staff of one of the clubs we played in the playoffs, and I talked to him after the World Series was over and everything slowed down. I asked him about our crowd and the energy in the ballpark, and he said 'You know, it affected our team so much. It was like four hours of hell when we walked out on the field.'
"And that’s what it does, it not only energizes us, it can intimidate the opposition as well, because our fanbase, as you know, they are more passionate than anybody. Anybody."
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