Tag: Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper said he would’ve fought Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta had he turned around in bench-clearing incident

That could have been bad.

The Phillies were justifiably heated on Tuesday night when a big eighth inning descended into chaos thanks to a frustrated moment from Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta. And according to Bryce Harper, the scene could have gotten even uglier.

Uceta entered the tie game in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and one out, looking to clean up the jam he inherited from Richard Lovelady. Instead, Uceta allowed three extra-base hits (including a home run to Trea Turner). So by the time he faced Nick Castellanos in a five-run game, Uceta couldn’t hold back his frustration. He hit Castellanos with a 96 mph sinker on the first pitch of the at-bat, and benches cleared.

But keep an eye on Harper as this unfolded.

https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1833675088631116116

The Phillies star was on second base and quickly made his way towards the mound, hoping to confront Uceta. But when Harper saw that Uceta wasn’t turning around, he slowed down to let the Rays players intervene.

He told reporters after the game that he would have been ready to fight Uceta if he had turned around. Harper let up because he didn’t want to be one to sucker punch someone with their back turned.

Harper said via NBC Sports Philadelphia:

“I didn’t want to be a loser and come up behind him. If he’s going to turn around, then all right, let’s go.”

“That’s not the game that we play, man. It shouldn’t be. Guys throw too hard nowadays. You’re getting mad because a guy hits a homer off you or you blow the lead, walk the guy and come out of the game. The situation, the whole thing, just really fired me up, really upset me. Just not something you should accept as Major League Baseball.”

And while Harper had every right to protect his teammate, the Phillies are probably thrilled that the incident didn’t escalate, especially with the postseason looming in a few weeks.

Uceta was ejected for the pitch, and the Phillies went on to win by that same score, 9-4.

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ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball ump cam gave fans the coolest shot of Bryce Harper’s line drive

That transition!

In the midst of Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies critical NL East matchup against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, ESPN’s cameras captured an unimportant — but beautiful — moment.

During Sunday Night Baseball, with the Phillies down 2-0 to the Braves in the bottom of the fourth inning, Harper hit a lead-off line drive to center field. While the Phillies ultimately weren’t able to drive Harper in, let’s take a moment to appreciate the camera work on display here from ESPN.

Making use of their signature umpire cameras, the Sunday Night Baseball crew seamlessly transitioned from the ump cam during Harper’s follow through to the normal broadcast shot of it landing in center field for an overall flawless shot of the action.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1830401836014072251

Really great camera work there. Not only does it give fans a closer look at Harper’s view and swing, the camera then goes right back to the usual angle to give context to where the ball landed. Bravo!

José Altuve alertly stole home after noticing Bryce Harper’s casual handling of a pickoff attempt at first

Elite baseball IQ was on display.

There aren’t many plays in baseball that are more satisfying to watch than seeing a player put his baseball IQ on display. And we got just that with José Altuve’s heads-up base running against the Phillies on Wednesday.

With the game scoreless in the first inning and the Astros threatening with runners at the corners and two outs, Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker tried to catch Jeremy Peña at first base with a pick-off attempt. Of course, Walker shouldn’t have even been worried about the runner at first with two outs (and a runner on third!). But Bryce Harper certainly didn’t help matters with how he handled the play.

Harper applied the tag on Peña — who slid in safely — but was lackadaisical with the ball as he returned to his feet. Altuve noticed that Harper wasn’t paying attention at all to him at third base, so he just took off for home.

By the time Harper fired off a throw home, Altuve was sliding in safely. It was an unconventional way to steal home, but it counts all the same.

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A mic’d-up Trea Turner made an amazing diving play during the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and his Phillies teammates loved it

Trea Turner making a huge MLB All-Star Game play while wearing a mic was so cool.

Tuesday night’s 2024 MLB All-Star Game featured a wrinkle not normally heard in baseball: mic’d-up players.

While playing for the National League All-Star team, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner made a fantastic diving play for an out while he was wearing a broadcast mic for Fox Sports.

His Phillies teammates Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm were also wearing mics, and we got to hear them root Turner on after landing the stellar out.

While we’re sure MLB players wouldn’t be too wild about wearing mics during actual games, the All-Star Game is the perfect opportunity to have some fun and let fans in on the process in real time.

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A’s closer Mason Miller shared a hilarious story about Bryce Harper not wanting to face him

Seeing “104 mph” on the radar changed Bryce’s mind QUICK.

Second-year closer Mason Miller is the Oakland Athletics’ lone All-Star this season. And because the A’s are … well … the A’s, Miller got to Arlington by hopping aboard the Phillies’ private jet with the franchise’s record eight All-Stars. That travel arrangement gave Miller an opportunity to chat with Bryce Harper.

And we’re glad he did because it led to one great story to share.

Ahead of the Phillies’ series against the A’s, Harper had been curious about facing Miller. The closer burst onto the scene this season with devastating velocity to pair with almost unhittable breaking pitches. Well, the chance to see Miller pitch in person from the dugout changed Harper’s mind real quick.

In an interview with Pitching Ninja, Miller shared how Harper had been asking about him. But once he witnessed the A’s closer hit 104 mph on the radar gun to Brandon Marsh, he was fine missing out on the chance to bat against Miller.

“Ah, I’m good,” Miller described Harper as saying on the plane.

Unless he somehow faces Miller in Tuesday’s All-Star Game (doubtful given that Harper is a starter), the Phillies star won’t have to worry about seeing Miller until next season.

Still, fans loved that story from Miller — there might have been some mild recruiting at play. I wouldn’t want to face 104 either.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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Bryce Harper breaks out soccer celebration after hitting home run in MLB London Series

Bash it like Beckham?

London Stadium got the full Bryce Harper experience on Saturday as MLB’s London Series got underway between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

With the Phillies down 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Harper absolutely demolished a 78 mile-per-hour sweeper off Mets starter Sean Manaea deep into right field.

The no-doubter gave Harper an extra second to stop and admirer the ball’s flight as well as plan his trot around the bases. After he reached home plate and started running towards the dugout, Harper slid on his knees, threw his hands back and starting yelling “I love soccer” at his teammates.

The one thing we can say for sure about this celebration is that if any Mets player had tried the same thing, they probably would’ve ended up on the injured list for the rest of the season somehow.

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Bryce Harper helping a high-schooler secure his prom date was such a cool cheat code

This kid didn’t have to say a word.

High school prom proposals have taken on a life of their own in the age of social media, where everything turns into a show for the ‘gram.

But no matter the circumstances, if you can get an MLB player and two-time MVP to help you with your promposal, you do it.

Enter Bryce Harper.

Some lucky high school kid — presumably in the Philadelphia area — was able to get the Phillies star to help him secure his prom date. And the look on her face when she opens her front door to see Harper standing there is nothing but pure shock.

Of course she said yes.

Bryce Harper poked fun at himself for throwing the ball around the horn with a runner on base

Even the greats like Bryce Harper make a mistake every now and again.

Philadelphia Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper had to poke a little fun at himself on Tuesday night after throwing the ball around the horn with a runner on base.

While he was making a play in the outfield as his Phillies played the Cincinnati Reds, Harper threw the ball to first base to get the Cincinnati runner out instead of throwing it to third, where a baserunner was headed there from second.

In this situation, the outfielder wants to throw the ball to get the player out who is closest to making it home and let the batter who just got the hit make it to first since he’s further away from scoring.

Well, Harper threw it in the wrong direction, netting the out but letting the Reds player get closer to a possible run. The Phillies got an out on the next at-bat, so it was all water under the bridge.

However, Harper made fun of himself a little when asked about the play by the game’s broadcasters.

Harper is one of the game’s best players, but he’s also human and clearly has an amicable sense of humor about moments like this.

While this would’ve been incredibly costly in, say, a playoff elimination game, it’s just a funny whoops this early in the season. Good for Harper for being able to make light of a moment that you don’t see every day.

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Bryce Harper accidentally cartwheeled into the dugout while going for a foul ball

Bryce Harper is willing to go the distance for a foul ball.

Philadelphia Phillies star right fielder Bryce Harper proved his willingness to go the distance for a foul ball on Saturday during a home tilt with the Atlanta Braves.

As Harper charged ahead to try and snag the foul ball before it went out of bounds, he tumbled into cartwheel formation and went flying into the dugout without the catch.

Harper absolutely gets an A for effort on this impressive attempt, even if it came up short of actually getting the ball. It also makes for a very cool replay if you want to see how athletic Harper is when he’s in the outfield.

Don’t worry; Harper stayed in the game after going over the railing, per Fox Sports.

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Jason Kelce autographed Bryce Harper’s cleat after throwing the first pitch before Phillies-Braves

When the opportunity presents itself, you take it!

Philadelphia legend Jason Kelce has been living it up since retiring from the Eagles on March 4 after an incredible 13-year career as the Eagles’ center. Kelce played his entire NFL career with the Eagles, and he — along with his wife, Kylie — is a die-hard fan of all Philly sports.

MORE: Jason Kelce had a great reaction to people questioning his retirement after the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley signing

Saturday afternoon, Kelce, along with former teammate and fellow Eagles legend Fletcher Cox, took to the mound before the Phillies faced the Atlanta Braves. The duo threw out the ceremonial first pitch (or pitches in this case) with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper set to receive.

After the pitch, Harper got an autograph from Kelce right there on the field. Perfection.