Freddy Galvis remembers walking into the Phillies' clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park as a 22-year-old kid in a room full of veterans.
"Jimmy, Chase, Ryan, Chooch, Cole, Halladay, Cliff Lee, Papelbon," Galvis said. "Now there's nobody here. Just me from that class."
Galvis, who turns 27 next month, will be the longest-tenured Phillies player after the team formally lets go of Ryan Howard. It was a swift rise from rookie to sage veteran for Galvis. He joined the Phillies in 2012, just as the dynasty was beginning to fade. Galvis has never played on a winning team with the Phillies and has seen the departure of those big names that crowded the clubhouse four seasons ago.
"It's unbelievable," Galvis said. "It happened so fast."
Galvis batted .241 with an .274 on-base percentage, 20 homers, and 67 RBIs this season. His career-high power numbers, manager Pete Mackanin said, were a bonus thanks to the shortstop's superb defense. Galvis led all National League shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage. He will find out next month if he is a Gold Glove winner.
The Phillies finished the season with eight more wins than last year. They will play next season with a young pitching staff that added a season of experience and a lineup with an influx of young hopefuls like J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, and maybe Dylan Cozens. It will likely be another tough season, but it could be a little less trying.
"I think we'll play good baseball," Galvis said. "Mentality. Almost everything here at the major leagues is about mentality. You have to have a good approach to the game. You have to know your role on the team. Early in the season, that's why we were able to win games. Everyone was doing their job. That's something we have to do next year. Keep everyone on the same page. Try to do our jobs."
Galvis will begin next season as the starting shortstop, likely pairing with second baseman Cesar Hernandez. Crawford will likely start the season in Triple A but could join the Phillies by May. There is still time to decide on how to make room for Crawford.
Galvis could perhaps slide to second base, where he played primarily before last season. Or he could even assume a utility role. Galvis can play almost every position.
Andres Blanco, who has spent two seasons as the team's super utility player, is a free agent. He said Sunday that he hopes to return and made his wishes clear in a meeting with Mackanin. The manager has an affection for Blanco, often praising him for his role in the clubhouse.
Part of that leadership role now falls on Galvis. He called himself "the old guy" as he looked around the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon and watched players clean out their lockers and pack up their belongings. No one has been here longer than him.
"Now it's time where I have to do what the veterans did for me," Galvis said. "Try to make the game easy for these guys. Keep the guys on the same page like a team. Try to work together. It's going to take a little part of everybody."
