Phillies

How are the Phillies Going to Fix Their Defense? By Shagging Their Asses Off

By Kyle Pagan

Published: Mar 30th, 2022 · 2:05 PM EDT

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Phillies outfield coaches running into Bryce, Schwarbs, and Castellanos in the tunnel:

Matt Gelb at The Athletic talked to Paco Figueroa, Phillies outfield coach, about prepping the unit for defensive challenges this year:

When (Paco) Figueroa came to the Phillies in 2018 as first-base coach, he asked Sam Fuld a question. Fuld, then a member of the coaching staff before he ascended to general manager, was a big-league outfielder for eight seasons. Figueroa admired how he played.

“We have so much information and so many analytics,” Figueroa said to him. “But what’s your favorite drill?”

“Shagging,” Fuld said.

It’s the best information an outfielder can receive, Fuld said, and this convinced Figueroa. So, as the Phillies attempt to make this outfield configuration work, it is what Figueroa will lean upon. “I told Nick and Schwarber, ‘We’re going to shag our ass off.’ 

I don’t know if this is actually going to work, but I all I want to say is there’s nothing better than a nice shag. Taking grounders is for psychos, especially playing on the shitty diamonds I played on at Windlestrae Park growing up in North Wales. More bad hops than an IPA! Amirite Kevin? (Kinkead: heyoo) I patrolled centerfield like a young Aaron Rowand. My only regret is I never got to smash my face into a chain link fence like my hero because no 8th grader could hit 400 ft to deep center. I did once throw four runners out in a game against Corpus Christi, but who’s counting?

One thing you miss out on when you grow up is that no one wants to shag flyballs. Not many buddies want to go to the park and hit to you. It’s like trying to find a rebounder when you want to get some shots up. Shagging flies is an activity we as a society should normalize. Hold on actually. Stop reading right here and text your buddy if he wants to shag some fly balls Friday. It’s going to be 61. Tweet me a picture of their response.

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You back?

I hope they said yes. Imagine a good shag and then hitting up the local bar for a couple of beers after. Is this Heaven? No its Glenolden. It’s time we normalize shagging fly balls.