DETROIT — As soon as he heard what Zack Wheeler said, an idea started to form in Garrett Stubbs’ mind.
Despite a 2.28 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season, the Phillies right-hander had been left off the National League All-Star roster. He had not made the initial team through the player vote, and has not been added as a replacement, either. Wheeler is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, the Phillies’ final game before the All-Star break, which almost certainly led to the snub — even though Wheeler said he would still be willing to pitch an inning.
With that in mind, Wheeler delivered seven dominant innings over the Reds on Tuesday. And then he spoke his mind afterward.
“I felt like that’s kind of a reminder,” he said, “for whoever needs to be reminded.”
The quote was exactly the kind of thing that Stubbs likes to put on a T-shirt. The Phillies backup catcher, known as a key contributor to the clubhouse culture, has created several shirts in the past displaying the Phillies’ inside jokes, which he then distributes to his teammates.
Last season, Stubbs handed out light blue shirts with the image of former Phillie Harrison Bader and the words “What a Gift” emblazoned on them. It became a catchphrase of sorts for the outfielder after the Phillies acquired Bader at the trade deadline, and many of the teammates wore the shirts in his honor during pregame activities.
But the shirts that the majority of the Phillies players, coaches, and staff wore ahead of Friday’s series opener in Detroit were more than just a fun joke. It was a message.
The words “That’s a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded” were printed on red shirts, along with the outline of a rooster with Wheeler’s No. 45 inscribed on it. At home games, Wheeler walks out to the song “Rooster,” by Alice in Chains.
“It means what he was talking about in his interview,” Stubbs said about the shirts. “Just that he deserves being an All-Star. And it’s [B.S.] that he’s not.”
While Stubbs jumped into action creating the shirts with the company BreakingT, the team almost didn’t receive them. Bad weather delayed the shipment to Comerica Park in Detroit. But when BreakingT reached out to UPS for help, they happened to get in contact with a Phillies fan in Michigan who was sympathetic to their cause.
“She took it into her own hands to make sure that they got here in time,” Stubbs said.
He added that he’s working on trying to get the UPS worker to a game at Comerica Park in thanks for her help.
“Just testament to our fan base,” Stubbs said. “One, how big it is, and then two, the extra mile that they’re willing to go. … They’re just they’re in love with what we do here, and it’s cool to see them get involved, and especially to help us out. So hopefully we can get in touch with her and get her tickets to the game, and she can enjoy it.”
Wheeler didn’t know what Stubbs was planning, but he laughed when the catcher handed him a shirt on Friday. Stubbs didn’t expect him to wear it — “He usually sticks to his own stuff,” he said — but the majority of the rest of the team did. Even interim manager Don Mattingly had the shirt on during his pregame media availability.
“He should be an All-Star,” Stubbs said. “His numbers are incredible, he’s an incredible guy, he’s a good representation of the league, and he should be in there.”
Extra bases
About 30 minutes prior to first pitch on Friday, Justin Crawford was scratched with left knee soreness. Derek Hill drew into the lineup in his place. … Cristopher Sánchez (10-4, 2.62 ERA) is scheduled to make his final start before the All-Star break on Saturday against Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (4-5, 2.64).
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