The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper is a show-stealer for a reason. While the MLB world already has ample reasons to be awed by Harper’s actions, he does not stop surprising. One such incident took place in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That said, Harper can never let go of his sass.
There is always a thin line between an awesome stunt and an awful stunt. On Saturday, this line seemed blurred causing some distress among the fans of Arizona. In the baseball postseason, matchups often boil down to which club has fewer injuries. That theory explains why the Diamondbacks were terrified at what occurred to their catcher at the plate.
A Potentially Dangerous Episode Turned Into A Comic One
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A mishandled throw put Gabriel Moreno in the slugger’s path as Harper was attempting a double steal with runners on first and third. As he broke for home, he scored setting up a rough collision. Fans on social media have been raising a great deal of questions concerning the bulldozing. Many have expressed that it was risky play and could have resulted in expulsion. But Harper added an element of ridicule to the collision. With that, one question stands unanswered. Was it all intentional?
Bryce Harper making sure he touched home plate while checking on Gabriel Moreno is hilarious.
Harper knew damn well what he was doing 😂pic.twitter.com/UcYeE2qgVl
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) October 22, 2023
Concurrent with the bumping, the 31-year-old had his priorities straight. He made sure he touched the plate before paying any heed to the injured catcher. Yesterday, the Phillies, who had already taken a 1-0 lead at Chase Field, tried to steal two bases, with runners on first and third. And, that’s when the collision happened. Right after the collision, he crawled all the way to the 3rd base with Morena rolling by his side. Fans who witnessed this suspected that it was a well-laid-out plan.
As per the video tweeted by @MLBDeadlineNews, Harper did his due diligence only after he touched base. With that little amusing gesture, the fans went on a spiral. There were tweets flooding indicating that, “Harper knew damn well what he was doing”.
Phillies’ Bryce Harper Fans Stood By Him While Those Of Arizona Were Skeptical
One comment highlighted how Harper made it seem too obvious to miss.
He was also making it known to Moreno that he’s laying on home plat and roll over
— Sam Keating (@SamKeating10) October 22, 2023
Some fans commended Bryce for genuinely being human.
Harper touched the base several times throughout that whole thing. That’s heads up baseball. He also checked on Moreno. That’s heads up humaning.
— Carmacarmeleon (@carmacarmeleon) October 22, 2023
Another one threw in the iconic “Atta boy” comment.
Atta boy!
— Miss RaisElder Battle-Ax (@tigtogiba34) October 22, 2023
Amidst some ridiculing comments, this one lauded Bryce’s sportsmanship.
There wasn’t anything Harper could’ve done in that situation. When the catcher went over the line to catch the ball the collision was inevitable. Great show of sportsmanship by Harper
— Chris McG (@vettenoob14) October 22, 2023
Harper fans sided with him in spite of what seemed shady to most.
Yes, he made damn sure he did the right thing and succeeded.
— RespectYourG28 (@illyinthephilly) October 22, 2023
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With that happening during the game, the Phillies were the victors 6-1 against the D-Backs. Following this, the Phils are only a step away from making it to the World Series.
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Fans continue to stay in anticipation and watch the last few days of the postseason unfold.