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As far as home runs hit on March 30 go, there might never be a bigger one hit by anyone who plays for the Phillies. As a simple tribute, here is every detail, aspect, facet, video angle, and anything else we can find on Bryce Harper’s first Phillies homer.
You know, just in case you need it.
The Pitcher: Jesse Biddle
The Phillies’ 2010 1st-round pick had to fight his way through concussions to make it to the Majors eight years after being drafted, converted from starting to full-time relief and now in his second season with the Braves. The Phillies traded him to Pittsburgh in 2016 for Yoervis Medina, who’s no longer in the organization.
The Inning: 7th
Harper’s career OPS in his plate appearances in the 7th inning is his lowest of any inning. Heh. Go shove it, stats.
The Score: 6-4, Phillies
Fittingly, this seventh run ended up being the game-winning run in an 8-6 final. This was Harper’s 108th career solo homer, his 69th while in the lead (23rd with his team up by two runs), 15th at Citizens Bank Park, and 26th against the Braves.
The Count: 1-1
Harper has 42 first-pitch homers to lead all counts, but now has no other count with homers hit than 1-1 (24). He has a SLG above .700 on 1-1 pitches put in play in each of the last four seasons (.806, .711, .800, .709).
The Pitch: Fastball, 93 MPH
I tend to think Harper handles fastballs pretty well, don’t you?
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It was located on the inner half, about middle-in:
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If you’re a lefty considering throwing Harper a fastball in that spot in the future...please continue to do so.
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The Distance: 465 Feet
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That apex is only 32 feet shy of matching the highest point of Citizens Bank Park, just FYI.
Among HRs tracked by Statcast (since 2015), Harper's 465-foot blast is the 9th-longest left-on-left homer. Here are the 8 ahead of him pic.twitter.com/ks4OP2pCOl
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) March 31, 2019
The Call: Tom McCarthy & Scott Franzke
“In the air to right-center field! The first one in a Phillies uniform is a bomb into the second deck for Bryce Harper! And the Phils lead it, 7-4.”
T-Mac delivered this one with all the right emotion. Mike Schmidt couldn’t help but step on the call a little (we’ll give him a pass, it was exciting).
“The pitch. Swung on, hit deep, and there it is! Way back to right, into the second deck, and the fans get what they want, as Harper has hit number one as a Phillie!”
A transcript of a Franzke call never quite fully captures his intonation, so, yeah, listen to the dang video.
The (Curtain) Call:
Madness pic.twitter.com/9UJZZmkDho
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 30, 2019
I’m thrilled for the people who say it was only money that bought this roar of appreciation, and even more excited for them that their favorite team does not get to enjoy this while mine does.
The Reaction:
No shit guys, I’m next to @Wet_Luzinski and he holds up his phone on camera mode right before that pitch and says “I think this is the one.” #RingTheBell
— cole (@historiancole) March 30, 2019
I AM SO HAPPY
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) March 30, 2019
BrYcE hArPeR dOeSn’T wAnT tO pLaY iN pHiLaDeLpHiA https://t.co/avoJ4IB57w
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) March 30, 2019
I wasn’t convinced @bryceharper3 was a “Philly Guy” till now. @podadelphia #Barreldelphia #RingtheBell https://t.co/TV6C3LUzJB
— Gene Dzielak (@ProducerGene) March 31, 2019
hello I would like to report a murder https://t.co/r43VZ6LbSG
— ⚾️ MLBpets ⚾️ (@mlbpets) March 30, 2019
Bryce Harper hit his first home run as a Phillie. I’m at CBP. Nbd
— Ryan Aleszczyk (@SavingPvtRyan_8) March 30, 2019
— Nick (@hines7294) March 31, 2019
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT TODAY?!?! #Barreldelphia
— Rhys Hoskins (@rhyshoskins) March 30, 2019
Sweet dreams. pic.twitter.com/VRw14cC3PF
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 31, 2019
The Slow-Mo:
The Win:
The Phillies are 2-0 for the first time since 2011, and it’s been that long since there was this much excitement about baseball in this city. It’s an awesome time. Enjoy every second of it.