Bryce Harper Owned the Moment

Baseball's Cinderella story of 2022 has been written in Philadelphia with Bryce Harper authoring its signature moment.  Not by holding a pen or even a sharpie, his "John Hancock" was etched with a Victus Sports bat.  

You know the cliche about "the spotlight will find you." Well, it certainly found Harper... with the time running short and the Phillies desperate to avoid returning to the west coast for a game six.  And he embraced it.

Bottom of the 8th, Phillies down 3-2 to the Astros with J.T. Realmuto on 1st base, Harper faced San Diego reliever Robert Suarez.  With a 2-2 count, he launched a laser that landed in the left field seats at Citizens Bank Park to give the Phillies the lead with three outs to go.  

The blast, in the most crucial moment of the clinching game, earned Harper NLCS MVP honors.

It fulfilled the huge expectations placed on Harper when he made the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 16 year old high schooler.  It fulfilled the dream Bryce had after leaving the Nationals as a free agent four years ago.  Now, Bryce will play in a World Series, which he never reached during his years in Washington.

Scuffling at 21-29 at the end of May, the Phillies changed managers from Joe Girardi to Rob Thomson and the mood of the team lightened and brightened.  Several deadline trades also helped -- especially bringing in Brandon Marsh to play center field -- but the club also had to go for two months without Harper, its biggest star, who needed surgery for a broken finger.  Thomson's genial touch brought the team together.  Off-season free agents Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos hit their stride in the second half.  Harper returned for the stretch run.  Still, nothing was firmed when the Phils began a 10-game road trip to conclude the regular season.  Channeling the theme of countless movies, this platoon found its spirit and success on that final trek.

Claiming the final post-season spot with just 87 wins, the fewest of any of the 12 "tournament" teams, the Phils upset the favored Cardinals, Braves and Padres to win their first pennant since 2009.

I was on hand Friday night to witness the Phils battle their way past the Padres with Seranthony Dominguez securing the win with a six-out save.  

The club and the crowd were one, in as loud and electric a baseball atmosphere I've ever experienced.  Here's the scene after Friday night's final out... fireworks, delirious fans and a victory line on the field.