General Manager Bryce Harper AGAIN makes me look dumb!
by John Kincade
Sometimes the impact of a fan base is over stated. Sometimes it can be the reason your team succeeds or fails. One thing is sure, the fortunes of this Phillies team changed when they signed Bryce Harper. It came close to paying off in a World Series Title this year and their chances moving forward look very bright. John Middleton bet on Harper, then he bet on his star outfielder to recruit other talent to join him. Guys like myself at times have questioned that strategy. I couldn’t look more dumb. I’ll admit it, the plan is brilliant. Welcome to Philadelphia Trae Turner. General Manager Bryce Harper strikes again.
I’ll admit it, I didn’t ever believe the signing of Bryce Harper would have this kind of domino effect. Shame on me. It’s not an admission that every move that Harper pushed for has worked out, but that his ability to attract talent to come and play with him is exceptional. I completely underestimated that reach. Coming out of the Nationals organization Bryce never had the reputation of being a great leader. Hard worker? Yes. Fantastic talent? Absolutely. I just tend to believe that leadership has to be easily seen by the public. I’ve made that mistake before. I might just learn my lesson this time around.
John Middleton has decided to believe in Bryce Harper over and over again. He doubles down on that confidence. Harper has once again attracted a Top 20 talent to join him in Philadelphia. Whatever his sales pitch, it works. Part of that pitch must be exactly what this fan base showed throughout the amazing October run that ended just short in Houston. The crowds were crazy, the energy thought the city was unlike anything seen across Major League Baseball. It sold itself, but Bryce Harper knew exactly how to entice Turner to be what could be the missing piece.
This fan base has been given a great gift in Harper. He has embraced the city, he has exceeded statistical expectations in his MVP season of 2021 and his National League Championship season of 2022. He plays through injury, fights back from serious injury and comes through in the clutch as well as any player that has ever worn the uniform. He has a chance when all is said and done to be the greatest Phillie of all time. That will definitely require a championship and this team is a lot closer to that today than they were when they walked off the field after Game 6 in Houston.
I was one of those people that believes, players play, executives do their jobs. The lines with the Phillies have blurred and it is to everyone’s benefit. Now it’s the job of the fan base to step up and show John Middleton that they support him. He has spent and set the table for a fantastic 2023 season and beyond. Yes they will miss Bryce Harper for 3 months, but a huge safety net has arrived to soften the blow. Buy those tickets, purchase the gear at your local Rally House and celebrate a great moment in Phillies history. Thank you GM Bryce Harper, you and Dave Dombrowski make a great team!
