BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The irony was unmistakable.
Baseball fans from the Lehigh Valley came to embrace Phillies manager Rob Thomson at the IronPigs Charities’ annual Phillies Winter Caravan at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Thursday night.
But it was Thomson himself — reserved, dignified — who embraced them.
“This is part of our job in this business — thanking people and helping people,” Thomson said. “Whether it’s in the Lehigh Valley, Reading or Philadelphia, and whether you’re a player, coach or manager, part of our job is a responsibility to help others not as fortunate as we are.
“The IronPigs and this entire Phillies organization helps its community as much as anyone. People recognize that. Look around here tonight. They’re here to raise more money for good causes. This is what it's all about.”
Helping those less fortunate throughout the Lehigh Valley has been front and center with the IronPigs since its charities’ arm was founded in 2007.
This year’s IronPigs Charities' fundraising total of $71,500 increases the overall total to more than $1.3 million.
Combined with the IronPigs Baseball contribution, $2.4 million in cash has been raised.
“This is part of our job in this business — thanking people and helping people."Rob Thomson, Philadelphia Phillies manager
“This has been one of our most successful years,” said Kurt Landes, president of IronPigs Charities and president and general manager of the baseball club.
“When I first got here, I felt our legacy needed to be how much we help people in the community. It was important to give cash grants; this past spring, we gave away about $70,000 in our grants project. We’re happy to be able to give back.”
All proceeds from Phillies Winter Caravan benefit IronPigs Charities which supports educational and recreational opportunities for Lehigh Valley youth, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
This year’s 26 Community Grant Recipients include Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley; Boys & Girls Club of Allentown; Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem; Camelot for Children; Cancer Support Community Center of the Greater Lehigh Valley; CAT (Coalition for Appropriate Transportation); and Community Bike Works.
Also, CONCERN Professional Services for Children, Youth and Families; Emmaus Aquatic Club; Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley; Greater Valley YMCA; iCan Shine Inc.; Joseph H. First Youth Center; Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living; and Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity.
Other recipients were Mikayla’s Voice; Mindful Child Initiative; Minsi Trails Council-Boy Scouts of America; Northeast Community Center; Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority; Parkland Community Library; Sanctuary and Haafsville; Third Street Alliance for Women and Children; Via of the Lehigh Valley; Whitehall Township Public Library; and Wilson Area LINCS Family Center.
The fundraising was aided by an auction of an assortment of sports memorabilia, including autographed items of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Speaking of the Phils, Thomson assured fans still feeling disappointed about the team losing the National League Championship Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks despite having Games 6 and 7 at Citizens’ Bank Park that he believes the club will contend for another trip to the Fall Classic.
“I see a really good team here,” Thomson said. “You know, it's basically the same as it was last year and we got that far.
“Our number one goal was re-signing Aaron [Nola]. We got that done, so that was a big deal. And then anything after that, we figured, you know, be around the edges. Try to try to make some minor improvements along the way, and there's a lot of players still out there. So, anything can happen from here till spring training or till the season starts.
“I like our club.”
A possible contributor to the Phillies bullpen could be right-hander Orion Kerkering. The 22-year-old had a whirlwind 2023, ascending from Single-A Clearwater to making three appearances with the Phillies in September.
Kerkering was named a 2023 Paul Owens Award winner, presented annually to the top Phillies’ minor league hitter and pitcher. In 49 minor league outings, Kerkering went 4-1 with 14 saves, a 1.51 ERA, and 79 strikeouts to just 12 walks.
“I think I have a good chance to make the club if I pitch the way I know I can,” Kerkering said as a long line of fans waited to meet him. “People wondered how I could go from A-ball to the big leagues in one year and not seem fazed. I just looked at it like it’s baseball — 60 feet, 6 inches to the plate, and the bases are 90 feet apart. It’s baseball.”
Phillies assistant general manager Jorge Velandia was also a member of the Phillies contingent at the event. Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh was also scheduled to appear but did not due to an illness.
Even the Phillie Phanatic made an appearance.
As Landes looked around at the jam-packed room, he smiled as his dream of the IronPigs becoming more than a baseball team continued to blossom.
He talked not only about people reaching into their pockets to help the less fortunate in the Lehigh Valley but getting down in the dirt to help.
Landes flashed a grin of satisfaction recalling how IronPigs employees teamed with staff from the City of Allentown last September to reconfigure the field dimensions of the East Side Memorial Little League. The IronPigs also provided machinery to the field to level out the dirt.
Getting dirty and getting involved.
“Providing a high-quality field, a safe field for kids is important,” Landes said. “We were there for about six hours in the heat. But it is all worth it when you are doing something to help kids. That’s what our organization is about.”
