Ken Giles thanks Phillies fans despite being booed in MLB debut
We’re in the thick of Hot Stove season now, which means it’s also the season of heartfelt goodbyes around Major League Baseball.
As players change addresses through trades and free agency, they’re forced to leave behind friends and teammates, as well as the franchise that either drafted and developed them or gave them another chance, and let’s not forget the city they called home. It’s a lot to process, as there’s always a lot to be thankful for even as one door closes and another opens.
[Related: Former No. 1 pick Mark Appel included in Astros deal for Ken Giles]
That was the case for former Philadelphia Phillies closer Ken Giles. His trade to the Houston Astos was finally made official on Saturday, and though he only spent the first year and a half of his career playing in Philadelphia, he felt a connection to the city and its fans almost immediately.
Of course, that relationship started off with Phillies fans booing Giles during his major-league debut. But that didn’t keep Giles from thanking them for their support in the time since. In fact, he seemed to wear it like a badge of honor.
Hey, it’s Philadelphia. That comes with the territory, right?
You have to appreciate Giles getting that in there. And you have to give him credit for understanding that even if the boos were driven by frustration or some level of disappointment, they were at least fueled by passion. Philadelphia is one of those places where you have to earn your stripes and earn the fans trust. Giles managed to do that in his short time, and as a result of his success the Phillies’ fortunes could be turned around a little quicker.
[Elsewhere: Shelby Miller was a Diamondback in Little League too]
No, Giles won’t be a part of that. He’ll be in Houston trying to fit in as a piece of their championship puzzle. But the the Phillies got five pitchers in return, including former No. 1 pick Mark Appel and top prospect Vincent Velasquez. There’s a chance the Giles trade will be remembered for a long time in Philadelphia and that they’ll be thanking him somewhere down the road.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
