Phillies Relief Pitcher Alvarado Moves Forward After Blow Last Season

In the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of Major League Baseball, José Alvarado had every reason to be wallowing in the offseason.

When we last saw Alvarado, he had allowed a gut-wrenching three-run home run to Yordan Alvarez in Game 6 of the World Series.

Instead of being remembered as one of the most effective relief pitchers, Alvarado’s last image was looking down at the ground after Alvarez’s homer led the Houston Astros past the Philadelphia Phillies.

But Alvarado refused to let that one hit define him.

“I turned the page quickly,” Alvarado told reporters at spring training. “I didn’t really dwell on that, it’s part of baseball. It’s part of life. I wake up every single day and I thank God for another day on Earth, and I move forward. That’s just the way you have to go about life.”

That’s the attitude a baseball player has to adopt. It can be a game of failure.

Alvarado was a major success story last season with a 4-2 record and 3.18 ERA. In 59 appearances over a span of 51 innings, Alvarado struck out 81 and walked 24.

Alvarado scuffled so much that he was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in May. His ERA ballooned to nearly 8.00 after the first 17 games. His command was extremely shaky.

He didn’t stop working and came back to become one of the most reliable relievers in baseball.

The Phillies certainly noticed.

Alvarado recently signed a three-year, $22 million extension with a club option for a fourth season.

“The contract is a blessing and that’s what you work for,” Alvarado told reporters. “I thank God for the talent that he blessed me with. I thank God for this opportunity that he has given me to play baseball, the Phillies too.

“It goes a long way because now I really feel comfortable to be able to help my family … family members that may need my help.”

Alvarado is now part of an ultra-talented bullpen that also includes Seranthony Dominguez, Matt Strahm, Gregory Soto and Craig Kimbrel, among others.

If the Phillies are fortunate enough to make another deep postseason run, Alvarado will be right in the mix, ready to contribute.

He will not dwell on the past.

“Yes, for sure they’ll see the same Alvarado as the second half of the season,” Alvarado said. “I haven’t changed anything about me and my mechanics or anything. So this is it. This is the Alvarado that we’re gonna see. Good or bad, like it or not, here’s the Alvarado that you’re going to see it.”

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