Facing some acute criticism about his decline at the plate, Philadelphia Phillies franchise slugger Bryce Harper offered an emphatic response on Tuesday.
In his most consequential plate appearance since Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski openly questioned whether he could return to his elite status, Harper hit a game-tying home run in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic.
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Ultimately, Harper’s Team USA lost that game to Team Venezuela. But the home run was a reminder that Harper can still perform as one of the best hitters in baseball in the biggest moments.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Response To Criticism In Big Way
And some of his off-field World Baseball Classic moments became highlights as well.
“From his pregame address to Team USA to his game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, his postgame congratulations to Team Venezuela to a private moment he shared with U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, Harper on Tuesday was a portrait of class and grace,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote. “His home run against Venezuela had the look of a warning shot. But his pregame talk to Team USA and postgame recognition of Team Venezuela were also vintage Harper. As much as any baseball superstar, he understands his place in the game and responsibility to the sport.”
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Between Harper’s pregame speech, on-field performance and postgame gesture, the World Baseball Classic championship was a good reminder for Phillies fans about all of the positives the face of the franchise can still bring.
But Harper also utilized the tournament to send some praise to a rising star who pitches for his team’s biggest division rival.
“He’s a special talent,” Harper said of New York Mets’ starter Nolan McLean, who was his teammate on Team USA, per MB.com’s Thomas Harrigan. “He’s going to be a special talent for a long time.”
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Philadelphia Phillies Star Bryce Harper Makes Surprising Admission About New York Mets’ Nolan McLean
Harper seemed to put aside his Phillies’ rivalry with McClean during the tournament, as he normally wouldn’t praise a pitcher or a member of the rival team. But speaking in the midst of the international tournament, Harper was apparently willing to make an exception.
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“I don’t give pitchers much credit, obviously, as a hitter, but I think he was the best arm I saw last year,” Harper added, per Harrigan.
Harper took six at-bats against McLean last year after the pitcher saw his promotion to the Mets’ big-league club in August. Harper logged one hit with three strikeouts in those at-bats, for a .167 batting average that seemed to back up the Phillies star’s claim that he was his toughest opponent last season.