Bryce Harper called his home run shot after hearing a Philly radio caller heap praise on him
Many ball players will tell you if you go to the plate trying to hit a home run, you probably won’t. Apparently, Bryce Harper is not most ballplayers (in case the two MVPs didn’t tell you that already).
The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder made up his mind before Tuesday’s game against the Angels he was hitting a home run, and he actually did it — in his very first at-bat.
After the game, Harper told reporters he was listening to the radio on his ride to the ballpark when he heard frequent caller Chuck dial in with some high praise. That’s when Harper decided he was going long, for Chuck.
Bryce Harper now has 9 homers in August!
This 115.7 MPH rocket ties up the game in Philly. pic.twitter.com/MuGEaSjhbR
— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2023
Bryce Harper went deep for WIP Afternoon caller Chuck tonight. @SportsRadioWIP @KYWNewsradio @MarksReeseWIP @JackFritzWIP pic.twitter.com/pJl5HZVE2R
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) August 30, 2023
“He was talking about our team, talking about me and stuff, and I walked in the training room and I was like, ‘I’m going to go deep tonight for Chuck,'” Harper said. “That guy had me fired up.”
So what exactly did Chuck say to get Harper so fired up? Well, this talk of Harper maybe being the best Philly ever and deserving a ring might have something to do with it.
The Chuck call Bryce was referring to. pic.twitter.com/5SMpbk0bEX
— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) August 30, 2023
Yep, I can see how that might fire someone up.