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Former Gamecock Whit Merrifield locked in on winning with Phillies: 'I want to win now'

imageby: Jack Veltri02/22/24jacktveltri
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Oct 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) looks on during batting practice veer the game against the Minnesota Twins during game two of the Wildcard series for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

At this point in his career, there hasn’t been much that Whit Merrifield hasn’t already done. As a late bloomer, he’s spent much of his playing days proving he belonged. Mission accomplished.

“I’ve been a three-time All-Star. I’ve led the league in hits a couple of times, I’ve led the league in stole bases. I’ve led the league in all these different thing that I feel like I’ve proven I’m here and I can play. I was an All-Star last year. I’ve done that,” Merrifield told NBC Sports Philadelphia.

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But there is one thing the former Gamecock hasn’t done much: winning. Merrifield joined the Kansas City Royals the year after they had won the World Series and never reached the playoffs with the club.

That was until he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, where he made his postseason debut. But at this stage of his career, he wants to win a championship. And he’s got a good chance of doing so with the Philadelphia Phillies, whom he signed a one-year, $8 million deal with for the 2024 season.

“I want to win now,” Merrifield said. “And so I’m here to do whatever I need to do to win and to help this team win, whether it’s sit on the bench and be a cheerleader for 162 games. I don’t think that’s why they brought me here. But if that’s what they want me to do, I just want to win.”

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Merrifield had a bounce back season with the Blue Jays in 2023, making his third All-Star team. He hit .272 with 149 hits, 10 homers and 67 RBIs. Now with the Phillies, he’ll try to earn consistent playing time while also helping the team win after losing in the NLCS last year.

“Really excited about Whit. We talked about two weeks ago me and him, had some conversation about Philly and things like that,” Bryce Harper said. “But I think he’s really excited to be here. I don’t think he’s scared, which is going to be great for us.”

Back when Merrifield was at South Carolina, he played with Harper’s older brother, Bryan, when they won the 2011 College World Series. So Harper already had an understanding of how good Merrifield’s career has been up to this point.

“He’s had such a great career, even when he was younger at South Carolina as well. Two-time national champ. He knows how to win,” Harper said. “He’s a leader. He’s a little bit of a veteran guy at 35 years old. So I think he’ll bring that into our clubhouse as well. So I think we’re all looking forward to that and seeing him.”

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Even though Merrifield might be exiting the “prime” of his career and looking at his final seasons, Harper believes he can still be a productive player this year.

“140 hits last year, he’s top three in hits the last, since 2017. Just a really good player all around. I mean, he’s going to be a gamer for us,” he said. “And I think Philadelphia should be really excited to get this guy, and I think he’s going to help us a lot.”

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