The White Sox are 3-0 since Tommy Pham’s arrival. They have started firing on all cylinders with him in the lineup. While a three-game winning streak is insignificant for most teams, it is far from that for a White Sox squad that started the season 3-22. The timing may be purely coincidental, but it sure seems like the Tommy Pham effect is real. And it is spectacular.
Pham’s Unique Reputation
An 11-year MLB veteran, Pham has a reputation for being a passionate player who is unafraid to speak his mind. Over the years, he has gotten into altercations with fans and opposing players alike. Pham made headlines a couple of years ago by slapping Joc Pederson because of a fantasy football rule disagreement. He also critiqued his former Mets teammates for not working hard enough to his liking. He even admitted the other day that he only signed with the White Sox over the Padres for tax reasons. Despite what could be perceived as negative personality traits, Pham keeps getting MLB jobs because of his performance on the field and his desire to make his teammates better.
Pham’s Playoff Pedigree
Pham is a .313 hitter with a .846 OPS in 31 career playoff contests. In his first-ever World Series with the Diamondbacks last year, Pham hit .421 with a .737 slugging percentage and a 1.165 OPS. In game two of that series, Pham went 4-4 and had an opportunity to be the first player to ever go 5-5 in a World Series game. However, Pham asked to be pinch hit for so fellow teammate and veteran infielder Jace Peterson could get a World Series at-bat. Pham’s preference for rewarding a teammate instead of pursuing an individual milestone is just one example of the type of teammate and leader he is.
White Sox Resurgence Since Pham’s Arrival
Since Pham’s insertion into the lineup, the White Sox have scored 21 runs in 3 games. For comparison’s sake, they scored just 27 runs in 13 games combined before his arrival. Pham’s ability to create professional at-bats has been a godsend to a lineup starved for offense. He already had six hits in three games and has helped set the table for the rest of the lineup. Following his two home run and six RBI performance last night, Andrew Benintendi remarked that “hitting is contagious.” Pham’s presence certainly has helped that cause.
Veteran Leadership Is Needed
From a clubhouse standpoint, the White Sox have been plagued by a lack of leadership for years. Veterans Lance Lynn and Keynan Middleton were just two of many players who commented on such issues in the clubhouse after being traded away. Chris Getz brought in several veterans this offseason to address that issue, with Pham being one of them. His no-nonsense approach might have been just what the doctor ordered for a team trending in a historically bad direction.
While it is still very early in his White Sox tenure, one cannot deny the impact Pham has made so far. The White Sox looked like a more confident ballclub this weekend than they had at any point this season. Hopefully, his presence will continue elevating everyone around him and give White Sox fans something to cheer about this summer.
