Why the Phillies Will Win the World Series — Again — And the Management Lessons You Can Get from Them
Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by Frank Roche
The Phillies are going to win the World Series again. There, I said it. Here’s five reasons why (and things we can learn about talent management in the meanwhile).
- They have extraordinary talent. It’s always good to have the best talent. For the 2009 season, the Phillies led the league in runs, home runs, doubles, RBI, and slugging percentage. They weren’t just a little better — they were better by a bunch.
- They believe they’re going to win every game. I wrote about a game I attended in July. It was one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen. It’s because the Phillies believed.
- When they’re down, they’re not out of it. The Phillies had 43 come-from-behind victories in the 2009 regular season, which led the National League. They won again on Monday night after being down to their last strike in the bottom of the 9th.
- Their manager mumbles, but he’s clear with his expectations. Charlie Manuel is not your protoype of a great communicator — at least not to the press. But he knows how to talk to his team and get the most out of every player.
- If you don’t hustle on every play, you sit. Doesn’t matter if you’re an MVP. When Jimmy Rollins didn’t hustle down the line on a ground ball, he got benched. Same goes for your superstars — sometimes they need to be reminded that excellence isn’t a sometimes thing.
mszypko
Oct 21st, 2009
Hmmmmm, I love an OBJECTIVE source!
Anyway Frank, I hope you are right. At this point anybody but the Yankees or Dodgers is my vote, so that said …… GO PHILLIES!!!! I still have my MAROON hat!
Frank Roche
Oct 21st, 2009
@Mark That maroon hat is a collector’s item, kind of like those misprinted stamps from 1908..
Yep, it’s not objective…and I thought of you when 45,000 Phillies fans chant “You-took-ster-oids” to Manny every time he comes up to bat. Too funny.
Bill Strahan
Oct 21st, 2009
Great point Frank – another reason they will win – their customers (fans) love them.
Frank Roche
Oct 22nd, 2009
@Bill We do love ‘em, and that means a lot. Customers as fans — that’s a beautiful way to go.