Bryce Harper pined to play a baseball game on his birthday. As a National, he never made it deep enough in the postseason to achieve that feat. As a Phillie, Harper didn’t reach the playoffs until last year, when his birthday happened to fall on an off-day following the National League Division Series.
An October birthday may come with its perks -- crisp fall weather chief among them -- but it doesn’t often afford opportunities for on-field excellence.
Los Angeles and a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, then had an official run from 1992 through 2008. Professional players were first allowed in 2000, but MLB refused to release its players, so minor leaguers filled the U.S. rosters. The IOC dropped baseball from the program after 2008, but it returned when Tokyo hosted the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021).
Nippon Professional Baseball paused its season and allowed its best professionals to compete, but the U.S. roster again included minor leaguers.
Bryce Harper, who is hitting .368 in the postseason, celebrated his 31st birthday in impressive style.
The seven-time All-Star blasted a 94 mph fastball into the left field stands then as he reached home plate, he held up three fingers on one hand and one on the other. To complete the celebration, the two-time NL MVP pretended the tops of his fingers were birthday candles, proceeding to blow them out.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto said after the game he expected Harper would have some drama planned for his birthday.
"I'm not going to lie, we had a hitter's meeting today and I told him he was going to hit a home run on his birthday so I'm going to take credit for that one, but he obviously put a good swing on it and I mean he's just been incredible for us all postseason long," Realmuto said.
Before the game, Harper had said he was excited about the chance to play on his birthday.
Facing NL Cy Young Award contender Zac Gallen in the first inning with one out, the bases empty and Schwarber already home following a leadoff homer, Harper smashed a first-pitch fastball to right-center field, where it bounced off a railing and ricocheted into the home bullpen. As he rounded third base, Harper dreamed up the candle celebration, which he executed as he touched home plate.
Read more
NLCS Game 1: Phillies vs. Diamondbacks (3-5) Cowboys shined vs. Chargers 20-17Sarah H
Also on site :