How Brad Miller’s lucky bamboo plant changed the Phillies’ fortunes
The Philadelphia Phillies’ fortunes have recently changed, and a lucky bamboo plant is being credited as the reason for it.
The Phillies had lost seven games in a row and were only 39-38 after being swept by the Miami Marlins over the weekend. Prior to the start of their 4-game series with the New York Mets on Monday, Brad Miller decided to do something to turn things around.
The veteran infielder, who joined the Phillies on June 13, bought a lucky bamboo plant and told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark it would bring the team “some wins.”
New Phillie Brad Miller is trying to break Phillies losing streak with some lucky Bamboo that he bought in Philly today
“This will bring us some wins. I can feel it”
Why every Phillie may have them in their lockers tomorrow
Story on NBC10 620pm pic.twitter.com/xH3JY9ueWY— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 24, 2019
“Lucky bamboo, I always like having some around. Figured this can get us going here and we’ll get ’em for everybody. This will bring us some wins. I can feel it,” Miller said in an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia.
True to Miller’s prediction, the Phillies won Monday’s game 13-7. The 13 runs were their most since April 16. So guess what? Miller went out and bought an even bigger bamboo plant for the clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s game.
Was it the #Bamboo? The #Phillies seem to think so. And so…Brad Miller went to Chinatown and bought the largest one he could find. It needs a name though….#TrustThePlant@6abc pic.twitter.com/RTSoT5Q1qf
— Jamie Apody (@JamieApody) June 25, 2019
You guessed it, the Phillies won on Tuesday too, coming from behind to win 7-5, getting a solo home run from Miller.
By Wednesday, the trend had caught on as some fans had brought bamboo plants to the park.
The bamboo plant needs a little help from the offense @Phillies pic.twitter.com/LFzJvaIqB4
— Kori Bleam (@KBleam) June 27, 2019
Miller also got one for manager Gabe Kapler as a gift.
Brad Miller is the like Oprah of bamboo.
First the clubhouse, now a plant for Gabe Kapler's desk. Everybody gets bamboo @FOX29philly #TrustThePlant pic.twitter.com/08tqh3uV8O
— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) June 26, 2019
The Phillies won 5-4 in 10 innings in a walk-off hit by Jay Bruce. Miller scored the run that tied the game.
Now that they’ve won three in a row, the Phillies have jumped on the movement and are fully embracing the lucky bamboo:
Never doubt the bamboo.
Ever. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/T7Qzxmpvax
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 27, 2019
Us: We're not going to go overboard with this bamboo stuff.
Also us: pic.twitter.com/XU70198mvd
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 26, 2019
Will the trend be long-lasting? We shall see, but for now, it has served its purpose.
