Phillies: Bryce Harper ‘fortunate’ to play in Philadelphia
Bryce Harper shares what he enjoys most about being with the Phillies
Opening Day is three weeks away, and Friday marks the Philadelphia Phillies’ first full-squad workout of summer camp.
Among the team’s 54 players currently in their roster pool include six-time All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper, who enters his second of 13 seasons in red pinstripes after slugging 35 home runs and a career-best 114 RBI in 2019.
In a recent interview with Rawlings, Harper was asked what his favorite part about playing in Philadelphia so far. His response: the city, fanbase and teammates.
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“The organization has been so good with my family and things like that,” Harper said. “They really treat me like family each day and that was one thing that I kept hearing throughout free agency — that the Phillies are very in tune with making sure the families are awesome and have what they need.”
“Just going through that whole process, really understanding them as organization and what they’re all about, really resonated with me and my family.”
Harper said one Phillies staff member in particular, traveling secretary Jameson Hall, is the epitome of what the organization as a whole is all about.
“[He] is the best person I’ve ever met in my life. This guy will do anything for anybody and he just cares so much,” Harper said. “He was an usher, like a guy in the stands that help people out, and kind of worked his way through and is our traveling secretary now.”
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Harper went on to say that he appreciates Phillies fans’ blue collar mentality, as well as the “all-around greatness” of Philadelphia.
“Those fans really care what they do. They really understand the game and all their sports in the city. They compete and want what’s best for their players as well,” Harper said. “With the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers and Phillies, there’s four sports teams there that compete every single year.”
Harper said he looks forward to hopefully bring a championship back to the city: “I’m very fortunate to be with a team that just cares about their city, franchise and fans,” he said.
“I’m very happy to be there. I’m very happy to be able to be a part of something great.”