I remember a lot of people, back in 2019 when the Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year deal, scratching their heads and going 'they will regret this'. To that point, Harper had been scarily inconsistent, with two real highs and a lot of purely okay stuff, and 13 years and 330 million was a high investment for that. My dad was convinced that Bryce would be riding out the end of the contract DHing for the Yankees. The Nats winning the Series the year after Harper left seemed to be an even more crushing blow of reality for the Phils, and for Harper, who'd been fine his first year there but had to overcome a rough start.
And now here we are. Bryce Harper is a beloved Philadelphia baseball figure who led the team to a World Series, has an MVP to show for his strong work, has made two All-Star teams and is on his way to a third as a Phillie, and got to cross the 1000 RBI mark this past weekend with the team. There was always a possibility that Bryce Harper would blossom in Philly, but there have been lots of big stars who didn't 'get' Philly after signing here, guys like Terrell Owens, James Harden and...well Hector Neris I suppose. Harper is a big personality, and was never a guarantee to really be the hero he's ultimately become. Which is why it's been so exciting seeing Harper become the everyman, the consistent force he's been. Last year he took 1st base out of necessity, and now he's said 'hey, if we get a 1st baseman and I need to move back to left, I'll totally do that. Whatever it takes'. Mind you, there are certain newly-extended players who don't have the same mentality, and so Harper, as talented as he is, is also this humble, understanding professional who just wants to help the team win however he can.
Harper is 32, and he's in his 14th season. Because he came up at 19, he had an extended development period in the majors, which not everyone gets anymore. It does explain some awkward years before he really hit his stride, but it's a way towards a fuller career, also pretty rare now. It's very nice to say that, even at 32, Harper is still in his prime, and is still a reliable hitter and all-around player. I have friends who've worried he's going to drop off his prime like Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols did, and while his average is currently at .275, he's got a 7-game hit streak going and he's still 2nd in homers and RBIs [behind Schwarber] in Philly. Dude is still a doubles machine, and he's very much a starting player, even as the 'aging period' of these Phils teams still beckons.
Also, let's acknowledge that after a really nice stretch against two of the worst teams in baseball, the Phillies are in 1st place and surging. As upsetting as it was that Mick Abel was used as a depth starter and immediately returned to Lehigh Valley, this current rotation of Wheeler, Luzardo, Suarez, Sanchez and Walker is pretty fantastic. Despite giving up 3 runs the other day, Walker was still dominant, and got the win against Colorado in his first game back in the rotation. I am very relieved that the good Taijuan Walker has returned, though I don't think Thomson should hesitate to dump his ass for Abel the second he implodes again. Schwarber, Turner, Kepler, Stott and now Bohm are all doing fantastically, and Jordan Romano is turning around in the ninth in the wake of Alvarado's suspension. The team looks fantastic, and I want this to be the surest picture of the Phils this year, even with the knowledge that some droughts may be on the horizon.
I'm happy the Phils are doing well, and I'm happy Bryce Harper still gets to be the hero for them.
Coming Tonight: A true professional contact hitter in a market made for them.
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