PHILADELPHIA -- For the past two years, Alec Bohm has been a human trade rumor.
The Phillies were allegedly looking to move him after the 2024 season, especially after the way the season ended, which included him being benched for a playoff game against the New York Mets.
After last season, Bohm's name again was bandied about in rumor after rumor. Then, when the Phillies were on the precipice of signing Bo Bichette, Bohm was all but gone.
But you know how that played out, Bichette slept on it, changed his mind, and signed for a lot more money in the near term with the New York Mets.
So, Bohm -- the Phillies version of Charles de Gaulle - once again got a Philadelphia reprieve.
Now 29, he's entering the final year of his contract. He's been able to ignore the rumors. Dismiss the near trades. And dodge all of the outside noise from critics who say he's an inadequate cleanup hitter for a Phillies team with World Championship aspirations.
But it's the latest hurdle, that made his performance in an Opening Day 5-3 Phillies win over the Texas Rangers all the more impressive.
In a shocking story reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer Bohm filed a lawsuit against his parents, Daniel and Lisa Bohm, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday, alleging that his parents defrauded him of millions over the past seven years while supposedly managing his finances.
The lawsuit seeks at least $3 million in damages.
Bohm chose not to discuss the matter after the Phillies victory, a game in which he launched what turned out to be the game-winning, three-run homer.
Alec Bohm declined to discuss his reported lawsuit against his parents.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/upB75G7sMT
"I'm not going to address any personal matters right now," Bohm said. "I'll answer any questions about the game."
It's understandable why he wouldn't talk about it. It's one thing to feel that someone like an agent or a finance manager was taking your money without your consent, it's another entirely when it's family, specifically parents.
This isn't the first story like this. You may remember a dozen years ago that Ryan Howard had a messy situation with his brother and parents regarding his earnings.
Then there's the story of NHL defenseman Jack Johnson, who sued his folks for defrauding him.
Nevertheless, there has to be an emotional toll over something like this.
For one game, it certainly didn't seem to affect Bohm.
Maybe going to the ballpark is an escape for him. Maybe just grinding and putting in the work -- especially in this, his walk year -- is exactly what he needs to be a distraction from such a messy situation.
Bohm's homer was impressive in that he lofted a 2-0 cutter from Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi the opposite way down the right field line into the first row of seats.
AN ALEC BOHM 3-RUN BOMB IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD?!?! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!!
He sues his parents & all of the sudden is hitting dingers. Incredible. You REALLY love to see it!pic.twitter.com/W0swEnk7gS
"It kind of reaffirms that I'm not up there trying too hard," Bohm said, of going deep the other way. "When I'm up there trying too hard, I don't give myself a chance to catch the ball a little deeper and hit it the other way. I'll just open up ... chase ... just different, little bad habits, and when I'm locked in I'm going the other way. ... I'm singing at the pitches I want to swing at and the rest takes care of itself."
It's a good mentality to have- head down, ignore the noise, and trust the work.
"I know he takes a lot of ... stuff," manager Rob Thomson said. "But the guy's going to put the ball the play and he's going to give you a good at bat. He's not going to chase, so if there are RBI situations out there, for the most part, he's going to come through."
It's why Thomson is bullish on batting him fourth behind the team's three best hitters.
And they each appreciate him, maybe none more than Kyle Schwarber, who also went deep in the Phillies win.
"I feel like he just needs to go out there and be himself, and when he does that he can take you oppo, he can hit a double, he'll pull a homer. He's such a tough out in the lineup. I'm looking forward to getting a full season out of him healthy and keeping him rolling."
