When the Philadelphia Phillies gave Bryce Harper $330 million over 13 years in March 2019, they secured not only a popular player, but also a difference-maker in one of the hardest instances to play: the postseason.
Perhaps they didn’t know he would be this good in October, but Harper has exceeded all expectations.
He has played hurt, he has played out of position, and it hasn’t mattered: the guy always delivers.
He had started to build his own postseason legacy with the Washington Nationals, but without too much success.
However, once he got to the Phillies, the legend of Bryce Harper was born.
It wasn’t until last year that the team returned to the postseason, but he had an incredible run and he has kept it going this year.
After Tuesday’s appearance, he just completed the first 25 playoff games of his Phillies tenure.
The results have been amazing.
“Bryce Harper has played 25 postseason games with the Phillies. His 1.232 OPS is the 2nd-highest by any player in his 1st 25 postseason games with a franchise, behind only: Lou Gehrig with NYY: 1.323,” MLB stats expert Sarah Langs tweeted.
Bryce Harper has played 25 postseason games with the Phillies
his 1.232 OPS is the 2nd-highest by any player in his 1st 25 postseason games with a franchise, behind only:
Lou Gehrig with NYY: 1.323
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 19, 2023
Only Lou Gehrig, the legendary “Iron Horse” of the New York Yankees, performed better on offense than Harper in his first 25 games with a franchise.
Harper has 15 postseason home runs in his already brilliant career, 10 of which have come with the Phillies in a two-year span, from 2022 to 2023.
One of those was good enough to send the Phillies into the World Series last year.
And the 2023 NL Championship Series isn’t close to being over, so he might have a few more games to increase that total.
As long as Harper is healthy and in the lineup, the Phillies are a lock to compete against anybody.
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