The Philadelphia Phillies will once again be on the couch, with a bag of chips or something, watching the post-season instead of being a part of it. However, this is not about being negative, there will be a lot of time to be negative, but now it is time to be positive on the 2021 Phillies season.
Bryce Harper had an MVP-caliber season for the Phillies
There is a good chance we just saw the first (hopefully of many) Bryce Harper MVP season in a Phillies uniform.
In 2021, Harper played the best baseball he’s ever played in a Phillies uniform. He finished with a .309/.429/.615 line, a whopping 1.044 OPS, and a 179 OPS+. Harper also hit 34 home runs, lead the National League in doubles, and had the second-highest fWAR in the National League at 6.6.
While it’s a shame the Phillies only won 82 games in a weak NL East with this star season from Harper (who somehow was not an All-Star), it was a joy to watch someone get the Barry Bonds treatment.
This season was all about enjoying the greatness of Harper. He had the kind of year that reminded everyone why Phillies ownership pursued him in the first place and gave him a 13-year deal. Harper is already building a legendary Phillies career, and there doesn’t seem to be much stopping him.