Jude Magnotti ‘26
EE Sports Columnist
Throughout Bryce Harper’s decade long career in the MLB, he has given us a multitude of iconic moments. Whether it was his grand-slam walk against the Cubs, or his two run home run to send the Phillies to the world series just last year. However, Bryce Harper may have just had arguably the most savage moment of his career against the Braves and another iconic game against the Diamondbacks.
Now, Bryce Harper has already been on a historic postseason run. Through 8 games he is batting .385 with 4 Home runs and 7 runs driven in. He and the Phillies dismantled the Marlins in the wild card and got right down to business taking game 1 against the Braves in the NLDS.
However, in game 2 of the NLDS Bryce Harper was embarrassed. In the 9th inning down by 1, Bryce Harper drew a walk with one out. The Braves were hoping to possibly double him off to end the inning, but definitely not in the way that actually happened. Nick Castellanos hit a bomb to right field that was pulled in by Michael Harris. Harper had gone way past second base and had to run back to avoid the double play. Unfortunately for him, the Braves got there first to double him off and end the game.
As Harper walked back to the dugout, the Braves shortstop screamed at him, “Atta-Boy Harper!” THIS…was a big mistake. Bryce Harper took it personally and proceeded to hit two bombs in game 3, staring down Arcia after each one on the Phillies way to a 10-2 thrashing of the Braves.
The Phillies would close the series out the next game moving on to their second consecutive NLCS. If that wasn’t bad enough for Arcia, Phillies fans across the nation started to print t-shirts with “Atta-Boy Harper!” on them and mailed them to the Braves stadium and Arcia’s house!
Now, Harper had already proved his dominance to the world, but he would take it a step further in the NLCS. Game 1 was set on Harper’s birthday: October 16th. While birthdays are normally a time to give gifts, Bryce Harper decided to take the time to give some of his own out to Phillies fans. Harper crushed a fastball in the first inning to extend the Phillies lead to 2-0 against the Diamondbacks. He added an RBI single in the third and the Phillies would take game 1 5-3.
In crushing that home run in game two, Harper joined a select few players that have hit playoff home runs on their birthday becoming only the 4th player in history to have his own playoff birthday bash! This was the first time Harper had ever played on his birthday and he did not disappoint.
While Bryce Harper and the Phillies have been incredible this postseason, many fans wonder if they will be able to keep it up. As of right now the Phillies are up 2-0 on the Diamondbacks. However, if there is one thing we sports fans know: anything is possible in baseball.
Nonetheless, if the Phillies stay on their current pace they are most likely going to be looking at a second consecutive world series berth. The question is, even if they make it there, do they have the ability to beat one of the two AL teams in the Astros and the Rangers? In my eyes, 100% yes!!
The Rangers may be undefeated this postseason, but comparing rosters side by side, the Phillies undoubtedly have more talent. Combine this with their incredible performance this postseason and the tough teams they have taken out, there’s nothing that should tell us that the Phillies are anything BUT title favorites. Even against the Astros (it is unlikely that they will play them) the Phillies would be motivated to erase their embarrassing performance from last year. Luckily for the Phillies, they have a not-so-secret weapon that instantly puts them ahead of the competition: His name is Bryce Harper.