CLEARWATER, Fla. — Spring training is Mike Calitri’s favorite time of year. 

The Phillies bench coach is full of optimism for the season ahead.

What You Need To Know

Clearwater is the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. But Tampa Bay is home year-round for Phillies bench coach Mike Calitri

His path in major league baseball started as a player and now, he’s worked up his ranks in coaching

In 2009, Calitri was hired as an advance scouting coordinator by the Rays when Tampa was at the forefront of the analytical approach to baseball

“The experience the last couple of years of playing in the playoffs been outstanding. We have a great group of guys, super talented,” Calitri said.

Last season the Phillies won 95 games, the second-most in Major League Baseball. They claimed their first NL East title since 2011. This season, they return a star-studded core and expectations remain high. 

“I love seeing everybody here. This place has been packed. It just creates the right type of feel when you go out there. There’s tons of energy. You work off of that energy. Happy I got here. I think there’s more to do. I’m really excited about this season,” Calitri said.

But there’s another reason why Callitri loves this time of year. 

Tampa Bay is home. 

During the regular season, the father of three is on the go, but during spring training, he gets to work close to his family. 

“I love living in the Tampa Bay area. So it’s really fascinating to be able to get an opportunity to work as close to where I live. You know, I benefit more than the rest of the coaches because, you know, my real going away party doesn’t start until the end of March,” Calitri reflected.

In many ways, Tampa Bay has been at the center of his baseball journey. 

Before joining the Phillies, Calitri worked with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

“You know, my best friend grew up here in Palm Harbor and, you know, so before I ever started work for Tampa Bay, I found myself in the Tampa Bay region, especially before spring training started for me, which was for many seasons in Sarasota. So I’d love to come to Florida,” Calitri said.

By day, he may be the Phillies bench coach, but by night, he’s a softball coach for his daughter’s little league team in Tampa, West Tampa Little League.

“I think, you know, just generally I get to spend time with major leaguers. But this is like this is grassroots. This is where it all begins.”

With his daughter, Mila, following in his footsteps.

“I know so many people have learned so much from my dad and I want to experience the same. And I love having him as a softball coach and we bonded so much from him being here so much.”

Callitri wears many hats, but he wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

“It’s amazing, you know, you just look for their happiness and you’re hoping that every day, it’s them growing and getting a little bit better day in and day out,” Calitri said.

As Calitri balances both roles, he keeps in mind advice from his own dad, who passed away in October 2023. 

“My dad was a baseball coach and a football coach and my coach, you know, I can hear his voice oftentimes throughout the day in different situations. And so it’s really easy to reflect on what maybe he would have done in a certain situation. But he was very much a team dad.”

A role that Callitri embraces.

“I think every day I just try to learn something new or try to make myself a little bit better. There’s always little micro tweaks you can make. I think in baseball try to be a little bit better than we were the previous day and take one day at a time and then see where the chips fall.”

As a dad and coach, he’s taking it one day, and one game at a time.