When Bryce Harper came up with two on in the third inning of a 1-1 Game 3 of the NLDS, he made sure that by the time he got back to the dugout, his team was up and that the Braves and Orlando Arcia would think twice about taunting him again.
After striking out in his first at-bat against Braves' starter Bryce Elder, he got all of a 2-1 slider and demolished a majestic 408-foot, three-run home run into the second deck in right field.
He made sure he took his time getting out of the box, standing momentarily to admire his work of art.
He made sure to celebrate with his teammates as he passed the first-base dugout.
He also made sure to take good long look at Braves' shortstop Orlando Arcia as he rounded second base.
Bryce Harper made sure to stare down Orlando Arcia while rounding second pic.twitter.com/ryNvgdxNGZ
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) October 11, 2023
You remember Arcia, he of the reported post-game mocking of Harper. Coming into Citizens Bank Park, Arcia had turned himself into public enemy number one in Philadelphia.
With Harper staring him down with all the authority of a two-time MVP, Arcia did his best to avoid eye contact, rightly admitting he knows who the top dog is, especially In Philly.
Here's a better look at the extended stare down.
the staredown pic.twitter.com/q8pfl4MB2L
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 11, 2023
As if that wasn't enough, Harper signaled to his team, the Braves and everyone watching that he was calling the game. In the third, with a 4-1 lead. Harper made sure to slow his home run trot to a walk as he approached home, giving a slash across his throat just before stepping on the plate.
How Bryce Harper's 3-run dinger sounded on Braves radio
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) October 11, 2023
Sad Braves announcer: "And then when he crossed the plate, I guess the game is over, because Harper just gave the throat-slashing sign as he stepped on home plate" pic.twitter.com/tOIGsniLSU
Harper smashes second home run and gives Arcia a second stare down
When Harper came up again in the fifth inning, he made sure to rinse and repeat after blasting a 414-foot home run to straightaway center that a leaping Michael Harris II was unable to catch over the wall.
He watched, he celebrated, he stared.
This photo was taken by Derik Hamilton, who is shooting for the Phillies this postseason, and it's an all timer. https://t.co/wBw1qfQtTQ
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 11, 2023