The Philadelphia Phillies and their run to the World Series may have ended a little earlier than expected. However, there were many wonderful moments and memories along the way that all of the Phillies faithful can look back to in celebrating their somewhat successful season.
Well, one of those great memories is now up for MLB’s Legendary Moment Award for the 2023 postseason. The award is being given to the best play/performance during the 2023 postseason, and Bryce Harper's NLDS Game 3 performance is among the four nominations that made the exclusive list. Who could ever forget the electric two-homer statement game made by superstar Bryce Harper against the Atlanta Braves?
For those who have forgotten about the circumstances entering that game, it was just in Game 2 when Harper was accidentally doubled off first base after an amazing catch by Braves’ outfielder Michael Harris II on a Nick Castellanos fly ball to deep center field that ended the game. In doing so, it handed the victory to the Braves and knotted up the series at one game a piece. After the game, Braves’ infielder Orlando Arcia mocked Harper’s miscue with the iconic phrase heard around the world: “Atta boy Harper.”
Obviously, that didn’t sit right for the Phillies, the fanbase, and especially Harper himself. As a result, instead of giving Arcia a direct lesson on manners, Harper chose to exact his revenge on the field as he went on to launch two big bombs in Game 3 while fully displaying his emotions after both home runs, staring down Arcia as he rounded the bases. Led by Harper, the Phillies ultimately won Game 3 10-2 and finished off the Braves in four games to move on to the NLCS.
Bryce Harper CRUSHES a 3-run homer to give the Phillies a 4-1 lead over the Braves in Game 3! ⚾️💣 #NLDS pic.twitter.com/bX6zYqypGM
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 11, 2023
Things obviously didn’t end up going the Phillies way in the NLCS, but they will always have that moment in Game 3 of the NLDS to use as a rallying point if they are ever mocked again by any team in the future. It certainly showed how the Phillies bonded together as a team and never backed down from anything.
Remember to cast your votes until Nov. 13 and give your full support to Harper to help etch that great Phillies moment into MLB history.