Hold Bryce Harper Accountable in Good Times and Bad Times

Author and Colin Newby

July 24th, 2023 8:04 AM

For Bryce Harper, 1st base was completely realistic. He has the exceptional ability to accomplish things on a ballfield that make him worth $330 million.

His excellence at 1st base in two games against the Cleveland Guardians gave fans of the Philadelphia Phillies yet another reminder of his incredible talent and determination to help his team.

However, John Kincade has pointed out the tendency of Philadelphia fans to hold the Eagles accountable with a level of venom for mistakes that simply doesn’t exist during baseball season.

Harper’s weekend in Cleveland proved his point about as much as any instance you’ll find.

The Good: Bryce Harper, 1st Base

Bryce Harper returned from offseason Tommy John surgery on May 2 when most people expected him to return around the mid-July All-Star Break.

He elevated his value with a crash course transition to a new position that provides Rob Thomson with added versatility to maximize the talent on the roster.

After his first two full games at 1st base in 12 MLB seasons, he made confident putouts at every opportunity.

He recorded a dramatic out on Friday night to catch a pop-up while falling over the guard rail in foul territory (whether it was necessary or not), and he showed off incredible athleticism with a diving web gem in the 4th inning on Sunday.

The Bad: Power Outage

The modern MLB places a heavier emphasis on power numbers that long-time baseball fans haven’t seen in past eras. Harper’s .404 slugging percentage (SLG) falls short of the high bar he set with six home runs and a .604 SLG in the 2022 MLB Postseason.

It’s not like he hasn’t contributed at the plate. His .385 on-base percentage (OBP) helps make up for the disappointing lack of power. It’s certainly necessary to also acknowledge physical limitations after the early return from surgery.

His go-ahead single in the 10th inning of Sunday’s victory kept a string of clutch hits going. Bryce Harper can offset the bad in 2023 with more opportunities.

The Ugly: Inexcusable Apathy

It’s not always necessary to play the cheerleader role for a star player.

Unrelenting passion characterizes Philadelphia fans. It manifests in outrageous celebrations in good times and notable criticism when situations call for it.

That hasn’t been completely true with Phillies fans recently. The Best Show Ever even took criticism for holding Harper accountable for a ridiculous display of apathy last week.

The two-time National League MVP stepped to the plate in a 3-3 game in the bottom of the 6th inning on July 19. He watched six pitches go by with some of the most apathetic body language you’ll see in professional sports. The strikeout was downright bizarre to watch, but many fans defended Harper.

Did he deserve a mulligan after all he’s done for the Philadelphia Phillies in the big picture? Maybe.

However, if that’s the case, why did he show a blatant lack of interest in running out a groundball in the 5th inning on Sunday in Cleveland?

He stood still initially because he thought he’d hit a foul ball. When he realized the ball was in play, he deliberately chose not to run 90 feet to 1st base. A supposed leader showed a terrible example for the rest of a team that’s lost four of its last six series.

Celebrate the unlikely accomplishments of Bryce Harper 2023. Glorify his home run in Game 5 of the 2022 NLCS as one of the best moments in franchise history.

However, do not acknowledge the good without the bad or the ugly.

Watch The John Kincade Show streaming live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.

The 12 Greatest Moments in The History Of Citizens Bank Park

• 12) Bryce Harper's Walk Off Grand Slam

  There won’t be many regular-season moments on this list. Naturally, anything that happens in the playoffs is going to be more memorable than 1 of 162 regular season games. But this hit isn’t one we are going to forget anytime soon.  

  It was the bottom of the 9th. The Cubs lead the Phillies 5-3, and there was just one out, with the bases load. A double probably would have been enough to end it. But Bryce Harper had a different result in mind. He didn’t want to leave any doubt that the game was over. He crushed the 2-2 pitch into the second deck in right field. As Harper himself put it “That was sick.”

  Between Bryce’s reaction and the “Oh My God” from Kruk, it was an instant classic moment. In the context of the season, it didn’t mean much, because the Phillies would miss the playoffs later that year. But it was a hint of the type of things Harper could do in big moments.  

• 11) Cliff Lees 3rd Straight Complete Game Shutout

  For a little bit there, Cliff Lee was the man in Philly. He unfortunately is not much of a part of the city, or even Phillies lore anymore. Part of that is due to him never actually being here. But when he pitched here, there were few pitchers more beloved. Between what he did in 2009 to help the Phillies get back to the World Series, his nonchalant attitude on the mound, and his pure dominance, he could do no wrong in the eyes of most Phillies fans. Especially after he chose us over the Yankees. 

  That was never on display more than in June of 2011. Cliff Lee gave up just 1 run that whole month. At one point, he had thrown 34 straight scoreless innings, before the Blue Jays finally got to him in early July. But it was the start before that one that stood out. The Boston Red Sox were in town for an interleague game, back when Interleague games were still a thing of note.  

  The Red Sox didn’t have a chance vs Cliff. It was his 3rd straight complete-game shutout. One where he gave up just 2 hits and allowed just 2 walks. After 9 innings, the count on his streak was up to 32.  

  On this day in 2011, Cliff Lee pitched his third consecutive complete-game shutout, finishing the month of June with a 0.21 ERA.
  
  I remember attending this game with my dad, and the environment was insane at CBP. pic.twitter.com/1Rgor5Su3e

  — Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) June 28, 2023

• 10) Ryan Howard Hits his 58th Homerun

  In 2006, Ryan Howard gave us the best season of any Phillies hitter ever. Not just 58 home runs, but a batting average of .313 and an OBP of .425. Enough to win him the NL MVP that year. He broke the Phillies’ single-season HR record, previously held by Mike Schmidt (48), by 10.  

  And when he hit number 58, he did so in front of a wild Philadelphia crowd. The Phillies did not make the playoffs that year. They finished with 85 wins, 3 games behind the Dodgers for the Wild Card spot. But the building was still packed every night, just to watch the show Ryan Howard was putting on for us. 

  It came on a Friday night vs the Marlins. There was nothing particularly special about the game, or even the HR. It helped them win a meaningless game. But it stands out because of Ryan Howard’s accomplishment. To remember just how great he was for those several seasons.  Unfortunately, his career was hampered and shortened by injuries. But for those 6 or so seasons when he was at the top of his game, there was not a more dangerous hitter at the plate than Ryan Howard. And he made sure a lot of Phillies games left games with souvenirs. 

• 9) World &%$#ing Champions

  The only thing on this list that was not an in-game moment. Instead, it was the celebration after they already won the World Series. Chase Utley is one of the most beloved athletes in Philly history. That said, he was not always Mr. Personality. Chase was a man of actions most times, not words.  

  But there was one moment where we got to see the real Utley come out. And the real Utley has a bit of a potty mouth. When it was his turn to speak on the field At Citizens Bank Park after the parade, he did so from the heart. And what his heart wanted to say was simply “World &%$#ing Champions.” 

  Some people got all bent out of shape because he cursed and there were children present. But I am pretty sure all those kids have heard worse just sitting in the stands at any Phillies game. Also if winning a World Series doesn’t give you permission to curse, what does? Chase Utley’s speech is synonymous with the World Series win now for me. And honestly, it just made me like Utley more because we finally got to see some personality to go with everything he did in the game.

  

  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

• 8) The Rhys Hoskins Bat Spike

  Philly loves an underdog story. And going into this game Rhys Hoskins certainly was an underdog. After struggling at the plate to that point in the playoffs, to go with several costly errors that made them lose game 2 vs the Braves, he was not a popular man in Philly. In fact, he was booed quite often in the game before this moment happened.

  But one swing, and a massive bat spike, was all he needed to win the crowd back over. Rhys stepped to the plate with two men on, and the Braves rookie phenom Spencer Strider on the mound. And he crushed the ball. Sent a bullet to the Left Field seats that put the Phillies up 3-1. Suddenly, he was a hero again.

  He went on to hit 5 more HRs in the postseason. But none were as memorable as this one. He could leave in free agency after this season. But every Phillies fan will remember this moment.

• 7) Shane Victorino's Grand Slam off CC Sabathia

  CC Sabathia was brilliant in 2008 for the Brewers. They acquired him mid-season, and he went on to go 11-2 with an ERA of 1.65 with them. Going into those playoffs, he was perhaps the best pitcher in baseball. Until he ran into the Phillies.  

  The Brewers led 1-0 in the bottom of the 2nd. But then Jayson Werth doubled. Pedro Feliz doubled after that to drive in Werth. Following by Sabathia walking Brett Myers and Jimmy Rollins, to bring up Shane Victorino with the bases loaded. And in what is now the moment that defines The Flying Hawiian’s career with the Phillies. He busted the game wide open with a single swing. A Grand Slam to left field to give the Phillies a 5-1 lead.  

  They didn’t score again in the game, but they didn’t need to. They went on to win the series in 4 games. Then of course went on to win the World Series. And like the Rhys Hoskins bat spike was a moment that propelled last year’s team to the World Series, this is the moment that felt like the magic of the 2008 playoffs started.  

• 6) Phillies Clinch the NL East Pennant in 2007

  The start of an era. 2007 was the first of 5 straight NL East Pennants. Yea, it did not go their way in the playoffs that year. But it put them on the map. And nobody except Jimmy Rollins saw it coming. Jimmy promised us the Phillies would win the NL East. It took him and the Phillies until game 162 to live up to that promise.  

  For a while, it looked like they would come nowhere near it. With 17 games left, they trailed the Mets by 7 games. But the Mets will always Met. They started losing, and the Phillies started losing. By 162, the Phillies could clinch it if the Mets lost, and they won.  

  The crowd was roaring before the starter that day, Jamie Moyer, took the mound. The outfield scoreboard showed the Marlins were pouring on runs vs the Mets. First, it said 4-0, then 7-0. Every update put up on that outfield scoreboard was met with cheers from the Phillies faithful as Moyer was still warming up on the mound. The Marlins would go on to win 7-1. Meaning all the Phillies needed to do was win, and they would take the NL East. 

  So when Brett Myers got the last out that day to win the game, the place went wild. We didn’t know then it was the start of one of the greatest eras in Phillies’ history. But even without that knowledge, it was a good reason to party.   

• 5) Michael Lorenzen's No-Hitter

  This could be recency bias, but this was just a special night in general. In his first home start, Lorenzen came out and tossed a no-hitter. But not just that, it was the same game Nick Castellanos hit 2 hrs to get to HR, and Weston Wilson hit an HR in his first career at bat. That trio of historic moments, in front of a raucous crowd, with all 3 having family members watching from the stands, made it one of the best regular season moments in Phillies history.

  Michael Lorenzen throws the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history. His family's reaction is everything. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NARDYMwK0

  — MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2023

• 4) Jimmy Walks it Off vs the Dodgers in 2009

  Jimmy Rollins is a Phillies legend. But perhaps no moment from his long career here stands out more than what he did in Game 4 of the 2009 NLCS.  

  The Phillies entered the 9th inning down 4-3. Joe Blanton had given up 4 runs, 3 of which were earned, in 6 innings. The Phillies’ offense was struggling to get going though apart from a Ryan Howard HR. But in the 9th Jonathan Broxton was coming to the mound for the Dodgers. And the Phillies and Broxton already had a history from last season’s NLCS. Things that would have been right here on this list if it wasn’t for them mostly taking place in LA. 

  First Matt Stairs pinch-hit for Pedro Feliz, and drew a walk. He got pinch-run for by Eric Bruntlett. Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz to put runners on first and second base. Next, he got Gregg Dobbs to line out. Meaning Jimmy Rollins was up with 2 outs. If he made an out, it would have made it a 2-2 series, and Phillies would have been guaranteed to have to go back to LA.  

  Jimmy was not going to allow that. He roped a double to RF, that brought both Bruntlett and Ruiz home, to win the game. It gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead, and they would go on to win game 5 to make it to the World Series for the 2nd straight year.   

• 3) Roy Halladay's Playoff No Hitter

  Not many players have given us so many memorable moments despite not being here very long. Roy Halladay spent just 4 seasons in Philly. Only two of those went well. But man he made those two years count. They didn’t win with him, but not by lack of him trying. 

  The first season here was particularly memorable. He won the Cy Young and threw the 20th perfect game in MLB History. That game did not take place in Philly though. So Halladay made sure the Phillies faithful got a show too. In his first playoff game ever, he tossed a no-hitter against the Reds. 

  It was just the 2nd playoff no-hitter ever, with the other being Don Larsen’s Perfect Game. He also became the only pitcher to throw both a Perfect Game and a No-Hitter in the same season. Doc allowed just 1 baserunner. He walked Jay Bruce in the 5th inning. Otherwise, he retired every other Reds hitter in order. The game ended on a Brandon Phillips bunt attempt that Carlos Ruiz had to make a nifty play on to get the out. And that he did. 

  The Phillies lost in the next round to the Giants. But despite it not leading to anything, it is hard for many moments to beat something only two pitchers have ever done.  

• 2) The Swing of Bryce Harper's Life

  You knew this was going to make the list. Could it being this high be recency bias? Maybe. But 8 months later I still sometimes pull it up just to rewatch this moment.  At this point, I alone have had to watched it at least 1000 times.  

  Before this at-bat, it felt like the wind was taken out of our sails. The game was not delayed despite a torrential downpour. And that bad weather led to Seranthony Dominguez getting wild. Despite being dominant in the playoffs before this game, he came in and blew the lead. It seemed like the series may be heading back to San Diego. They would still have only needed 1 win, so it was not a feeling of doom. But it was a momentary kick to the head. 

  Not on Bryce Harper’s watch though. After JT Realmuto got on base, Harper came up behind him. And as Joe Davis put it, had the swing of his life. He gave the Phillies the lead, and in the next half inning, Ranger Suarez got the save to send the Phillies back to the World Series.  

  It is easily the best moment of Bryce Harper’s career. And up there amongst the best hits in Phillies history.  

• 1) Phillies Win the World Series

  Obviously, nothing beats winning the World Series on your own field.  The sound of Harry Kalas saying  “Swing and a miss, struck him out. The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of Baseball,” is ingrained in our heads forever. As is the image of Brad Lidge and Carlos Ruiz hugging on the mound before being tackled by their teammates.  

  The whole run was full of magical moments. Matt Stairs hitting one into the night. Shane Victorino’s Grand Slam. Ryan Howard hitting two home runs in one game. But Brad Lidge striking out Eric Hinske beats them all. 

  It was the first time any Philly team had won anything since 1983 when the Sixers beat the Lakers. And there was tons of heartbreak between those times. I wasn’t even alive, or old enough to appreciate some of it, but every sports fan in Philly felt the weight of it. The Eagles had regular heartbreak during the Andy Reid era. The Lakers beating AI and the Sixers in 2001. The Legion of Doom being swept in the 1997 Stanley Cup. Joe Carter ruining the 1993 Phillies season. But the Phillies finally gave us a reason to have a parade. 

  The Phillies have come close since then. The run back there in 2009. The 102-win team in 2011. Last year’s team. But we are still waiting to get back to what the 2008 team gave us.  

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Author and Colin Newby

Category:

• Phillies // MLB
• PA Local

Tags:

bryce harper,Cleveland Guardians,Philadelphia Phillies