After the Philadelphia Phillies dropped two games at home to start the National League Division Series, it became apparent that Citizens Bank Park isn't the fortress it once was. With The Bank an obvious home-field advantage for the Phillies in previous Octobers, the fans turned during the two disappointing losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos only further enraged fans with his comments after Game 2's 4-3 loss. On Tuesday, during media availability, first baseman Bryce Harper sang a much different tune. Despite struggling himself so far this postseason and hearing it from the crowd, Harper took a much different tack when speaking about Phillies fans.
“I don't feel that way," Harper said when asked whether it was good to get away from CBP. "I love playing at the Bank. I love our fans. I boo myself when I get out. I'm the same way."
Bryce Harper defends Phillies fans after Nick Castellanos' bizarre comments
Harper's comments are more like what you want to hear from the face of the team. Instead of turning around after two dismal NLDS performances and indirectly laying blame on the fans, taking accountability should be the way to go.
In case you missed it, here's Castellanos' quote following Game 2 (subscription required), courtesy of The Athletic's Matt Gelb:
“The stadium is alive on both sides, right?” Castellanos said, per Gelb. “When the game is going good, it’s wind at our back, right? But when a game is not going good, it’s wind in our face. So, the environment can be with us, and the environment can be against us.”
Harper countered with the reality of the situation — that fans can voice their displeasure as they please.
"I trust in what [the fans] do," Harper continued. "They show up for us every day, day in and day out. So if we deserve to be booed ... they spend their hard-earned dollars to come watch us play. They expect greatness out of us and I expect greatness out of my self and my teammates as well."
"If they believe that, I don't know what's going through their head or mindset," Harper said, speaking about his teammates. "We’ve got some of the best fans of baseball and they make me play better. So I enjoy it."
Bryce Harper scoffs at the notion that the Citizens Bank Park crowd can work against him and his teammates when things aren’t going well: pic.twitter.com/ZMVyYeo4xE
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) October 7, 2025
This isn't the first time that Harper has spoken glowingly about the fan base — it's one of the reasons why he originally signed in Philadelphia. Conversely, Castellanos' latest prickly comments struck the wrong chord with the Philly faithful. It's just another unsettling situation the veteran has found himself in this season.
Never one to shy away from speaking his mind, the 33-year-old had problems accepting his role with the Phillies earlier this year as he transitioned into a part-time player. It has certainly felt like the relationship with management and the media has been strained at times this season.
With one year remaining on his contract, will the Phillies move on this offseason and try to offload at least some of the remaining $20 million he's owed next year? First, they will try to climb back into the NLDS on Wednesday night.