Bryce Harper credits Joe Girardi for recent Phillies success

Phillie Phanatic

There is no denying that one of the best parts about Bryce Harper being on the Phillies, outside of his play on the baseball diamond and in the outfield, is that he embraces the beloved Phillie Phanatic mascot to a level arguably unmatched by any player to have donned red pinstripes before him.

The two have exchanged cleats, and, recently, shown off sport jackets that have pictures of the other sewn inside. Even on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins, Harper was seen donning furry cleats to the style of the Phanatic.

Wednesday morning on MLB Network, Harper called the Phanatic awesome, and that his love for him actually grew while a member of the opposing Washington Nationals.

“Being able to come in as an opposing player for a couple of years and see him do what he does — he does such a great job,” Harper said. “Being able to go into the ballpark every single day, he has always got something for us. He is always doing something funny or something different.”

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Harper said that the Phanatic is best at bringing joy and happiness to everyone he comes across.

“He brings that joy and happiness to the fans and the organization as well,” Harper continued. “It has just been a lot of fun. He does a great job with what he does.”

“Being able to show some support with my cleats or the suit that I wore, anything like that — it is great,” Harper added. “It is a lot of fun to be able to do that and be a part of that.”