The rival Atlanta Braves made a rather obnoxious entrance into Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday when Braves starter (and noted ambient noise connoisseur) Spencer Strider once again took issue with Phillies fans giving him the business during pre-game warm-up tosses. The right-hander would further solidify his villain status in the bottom of the first inning after plunking Phillies superstar Bryce Harper in the elbow, causing Harper to exit the game. Luckily for the Phillies, X-rays on Harper's elbow came back negative.
While lingering tensions between the Phillies and Braves have remained a constant dating back to a very contentious showdown in the 2023 NLDS, it's difficult to say whether the fastball Strider threw that ultimately caught Harper on his surgically repaired right-elbow was intentional or not. And despite Strider's insistence when talking to the media following the game that the pitch was nothing more than an accident, it's also not a stretch to believe he may have carried some bad intentions to the mound following some ridiculous behavior from his pitching coach in the visitor's bullpen.
Heckling Phillies fans get under Braves' skin with embarrassing video evidence
Strider's negative view of Phillies fans is well known at this point. Then again, this is also the same pitcher who once stated his preference to have all MLB games played in empty stadiums. That being said, it came as no surprise when footage shot by Phillies fan James Notor emerged on social media clearly showing Braves coach Eddie Pérez instructing Citizens Bank Park security members to remove heckling fans from the visiting bullpen area.
According to comments made by Notor, per Kevin Kinkead of Crossing Broad, he was pointed out by Pérez, and “removed by security, and given a warning if I came back I would be removed from the bank.”
Apparently needing a bubble surrounding him at all times and simultaneously being unaware that noise canceling headphones exist, Strider's latest example of handling rival chatter paints him as one of the most entitled and softest MLB players not named Anthony Rendon. But hey, at least Strider actually shows up for work.
While Wednesday's game was postponed due to rain, how and when the Phillies respond to Harper's beaning will certainly be handled accordingly. And if the sight of a typically laid-back Alec Bohm pointing at Braves catcher Sean Murphy, or J.T. Realmuto mocking Marcell Ozuna on a strike three call using hand gestures haven't made things clear, Braves hitters should be awaiting retribution when they step in the box on Thursday.