Alec Bohm Made Three Errors, But None Were His Biggest Mistake Tonight
Photo Via: Mitchell Leff - Getty Images — TNSFrom the time you first stepped on a Little League field, you probably heard a coach tell you to “shake it off” or “focus on the next one.” But when the errors start compounding, it becomes a difficult task to “keep your head in the game.”
Tonight, Alec Bohm made not one, not two, but three throwing errors from third base.
Heading into spring training, rumors made the rounds that the Phillies aimed to move on from the young third baseman. There were talks that he would be traded, whispers that he would fail to make the Opening Day roster, and speculation that he may have his position changed. Instead, Bohm made the team outright and started at third base tonight.
Now we know Philadelphia is a rough sports city that can turn on its own quickly (ask Ben Simmons), so Bohm was not going to be well-received after making three defensive mistakes. Following his miscues, in perfect Philadelphia fashion, Bohm received a sarcastic cheer after fielding the ball cleanly and making the play without error. This is when his biggest mistake of the night occurred: He turned to shortstop Didi Gregorius, in the middle of the infield, and said, “I fucking hate this place.”
YIKES. That one is tough to come back from. Openly talking against your own fans while playing at home is a bad, bad look anywhere, but even worse in a city that cares as much as Philly. Luckily, Bohm brought the stick to the yard today and was able to muster up some goodwill. He roped a double and reached on a pair of walks in his three trips to the dish tonight. He was later pulled from the game for a defensive replacement (obviously). The Phillies held onto their lead (which they grabbed in the bottom of the 8th) and ultimately won the game.
After the game, Bohm did not shy away from the line of questioning about his apparent quote.
“Look, emotions got the best of me. I said it. Do I mean it? No. It’s a frustrating night for me, obviously. ... These people, these fans, they just want to win. ... I don’t mean that.”
That is how you wear it. Bohm did not lie or make an excuse. He told it exactly how it is, which I believe will help him overall with the fans. With that being said, nothing will work better than going out and making the plays you need to make.