Carlos Santana, whos now back with the Cleveland Indians, told a wild story Monday about how, during the midst of a withering losing streak in the final stretch of the season last September, he got fed up watching his teammates play the popular video game during baseball games that he destroyed the teams TV.
We come and lose too many games, and I feel like they werent worried about it, Santana said, declining to say which former teammates couldnt stop playing video games during ball games. Werent respecting their teammates or coaches or the staff or the [front] office. But Im angry because I want to make it good.
The Phillies confirmed to ESPN that the excessive Fortnight play led to the incident, and said theyve spent the offseason attempting to professionalize its clubhouse culture in the wake of the teams rapid fall from first in their division to a from August to the end of the season.
You have to set certain rules and boundaries, pitcher Jake Arrieta told ESPN. At a certain point, your focus needs to shift toward preparing for the game. And some people like to lock in on their phone and watch a show. Im OK with that. I really dont care if you want to play Fortnight up to a half-hour before the game. If thats what locks you in, I dont mind that. But during the game? Thats a different story.
If the Phillies can lay off the Fortnight, they could be a formidable contender this season, having added some serious lumber to their lineup in the form of superstar Bryce Harper, who inked a massive with the team last month.
Santana wont be around to see whatever comes of the new-look Phillies, as hes returned to Cleveland, but he might be able to take some credit for any improvements in his former teams clubhouse culture-and for fulfilling the dreams of everyone else (me) who also hates video games.
I've never seen that in my life - during the game, playing video games. It's not professional, Santana said. Each team is everybody all together. I understand we're eliminated for the season, but you have to have pride."