Carlos Santana hit 24 home runs for the Phillies in 2008, but his most impressive hit of the season didn't happen on the field. It happened in the clubhouse on September 28th after the Phillies had been knocked out of a playoff spot. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that during a game against the Braves, Santana caught several of his teammates skipping out on their team to play Fortnite. Understandably, the veteran was ticked off at the unprofessional attitude of his teammates, and he responded as a leader in the locker room should - he smashed the television with his bat.
“I see a couple players — I don’t want to say names — they play video games during the game. We come and lose too many games, and I feel like they weren’t worried about it. Weren’t respecting their teammates or coaches or the staff or the office. It’s not my personality. But I’m angry because I want to make it good.”Whoever it was, I hope they learned something that night. Santana was one of my favorite Phillies and I have even more respect for him after learning about this. I hope that Harper, McCutchen and Realmuto can step in and fill his shoes as the veteran leaders in the clubhouse who won't put up with teammates who are happy to lose and to bail on their teammates during a game.
