The news broke that December day that Giancarlo Stanton wouldn’t agree to a trade to St. Louis; meanwhile, Tommy Pham just kept doing pull-ups. There was the Cardinal, entrenched in their outfield, entranced by his workout regimen, up, down, up, down, plump biceps pulsating.
And on this video he posted on Instagram, Pham wrote a message: “I want 30 next year.” As in, he wants to hit 30 homers — only two Cardinals have done that since Albert Pujols left.
I love that Tommy Pham story. Heck, I love the Tommy Pham story. He’s about the closest thing to Rocky Balboa we’ve got — once a Cardinals player on the verge of being cut … he then perseveres with sneers, works out maniacally, has a vision, finds his vision and becomes a standout in his sport.