Tommy Pham finding a home in Kansas City

Tommy Pham wasn’t planning to land in Kansas City this year, but here he is, and it seems like he’s found a place that fits. The Royals didn’t hesitate when they picked him up off waivers from the Cardinals in late August. They knew what they were getting - a fierce competitor who refuses to let age or circumstances slow him down. At 36, Pham is still putting in the kind of effort you’d expect from a rookie trying to make the team.

“Constantly working, wants to perfect his craft, and it’s very evident that he wants to win,” says Royals GM J.J. Picollo of Pham.

That’s just who Pham is. During a recent workout at Yankee Stadium, he wasn’t even scheduled to hit, but there he was in the box, making sure his swing was where it needed to be. It’s this kind of intensity that gets noticed by the people around him. His manager, Matt Quatraro, puts it simply: “He’s a great worker, tireless. For a guy that’s played as long as he has, that’s not always the norm - his willingness to make some changes and listen to suggestions. He plays extremely hard all the time.”

It’s a quality that stands out to his teammates, too. It didn’t take long for Pham to make his mark in the Royals’ clubhouse. Right-hander Michael Wacha, who has crossed paths with Pham before, knows the type of energy he brings. That kind of attitude is contagious on a team like Kansas City’s, full of younger players still figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs of a long season.

When Pham joined the Royals, it wasn’t just for his bat. They wanted someone with postseason experience, someone who could lead by example when the lights got brighter. This is Pham’s fifth postseason with his fifth team. Just last year, he helped the Diamondbacks make it to the World Series, where he hit .421 in a tough series loss to the Rangers. He’s no stranger to October, and that experience paid off again when Kansas City faced the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS. Pham went 1-for-3, driving in the Royals’ first run with a sac fly off Gerrit Cole. It wasn’t enough for a win, but it’s clear why the Royals wanted him on their side for these moments.

But while he’s helping the team push deeper into the playoffs, Pham is quick to admit this year hasn’t been easy. It’s been a grind, moving between three teams - the White Sox, Cardinals, and now the Royals. He didn’t sign with the White Sox until mid-April, and that delay cost him. He needed spring training to adjust the lens he uses to deal with keratoconus, a condition that affects his vision. Without that crucial time, it took him longer to settle in at the plate, and his numbers reflect that. For the year, he hit .255 with 27 RBIs.

“Three teams are tough,” Pham says, looking back on the season. “You find yourself as a new teammate, you want to contribute so much. I haven’t had a good year.”

The frustrations were there, especially after being dealt back to the Cardinals. Despite a strong start that included a pinch-hit grand slam, Pham wasn’t getting regular playing time. It didn’t sit well with him. He went to John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, and asked to be put on waivers. Pham wanted another shot at the postseason, and Kansas City gave it to him.

“When I called Tommy to just say, ‘Welcome to the organization,’ he said, ‘Hey, man, what took you so long?’” Picollo recalls with a laugh. That’s classic Pham - straight to the point, but always ready to work. And for the Royals, he’s been more than a solid addition.

Pham seems content in Kansas City, happy to be a part of a young, hungry team. “I was very happy,” Pham says. “I thought this team would contend like we are. We are such a young energetic team, that it was only going to make me better.”

It’s not clear where Pham will end up after this postseason, but he’s not done playing yet. He’s still in great shape, still believes he can steal bases, still believes he has a few more years left in him. He’ll be a free agent after the World Series, but Kansas City could be a good fit if they’re interested in keeping him around.

“I want to walk away with no regrets,” Pham says. “I have to show them I can still contribute at a high level. So I’m going to be working my ass off to prove it.”

This winter, he’ll head to the Dominican Republic to play for Leones del Escogido in the Winter League, working to fine-tune his game and adjust his vision. Pham isn’t one to coast, and if his past is any indication, he’s far from done making an impact, whether it’s in Kansas City or somewhere else.