High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - High Hopes Chapter 2: Bryce Harper is The Face of Baseball Again

Episode Date: May 8, 2023

James and Jack discuss just how locked in Bryce Harper is already and how good it is to have him back in the Phillies lineup everyday. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bryce Harper is back, and that is, like, thrilling. We talk so much about it. It comes back in 160 days or whatever. Medical marvel. And actually, looks pretty good, Jack. Like, I was not expecting Bryce's timing to be on already. Already homered over the weekend, opposite field shot. Like, had the five on base night, day in L.A. that game.

Like, his second game back, the dude was on base five times in five at-bats, like, at five play-bears, it's like, I mean, I know he's Bryce Harper, and that clearly, he's a medical frickin' marvel, and all this stuff, but like, I can't believe he's already kinda locked in. I'm shocked, man. I'm shocked. Yeah. Well, that's why he's our guy.

And, uh, and it's just, cause, full disclosure, after the game Tuesday, in LA, I was game Tuesday in L.A., I was like, well, do they really have to bat him three? Yeah. So he's going to suck for a little bit, guys. Yeah.

Just start him seven and not have him be like a problem in the middle of your lineup. And then it's just on base five times the next day. It's like, oh, I'm an idiot. Okay. Just kidding. No big deal. Just kidding. With the pitch clock stuff, too.

Oh, he's fine. I mean, that's my point. It's like everyone. And they even figured out the brace thing. Yes. It is miraculous. This guy is miraculous, man. So, yeah, and now he's doing the whole.

I like when he goes no batting gloves. Dude, I think it's awesome. I think it's funny when he goes. You know, and we've talked. I've brought it up in the pod many times. I think it is one of the cooler things that you can do is be a no-batting gloves guy. Yeah, it's hard, but yeah. Yeah, that's my point.

It's like, what a man. I know. What a tough guy. What a tough guy. But yeah, it's just he is so, he is, and what I like the most about Bryce now is that in the beginning of his career, he would be a big, like, tinker with every little thing, where it's like he'd change his swing one at bat, go back, change it, change it, change it. Remember the toe tap, the this, that, yeah, he would be a big tinker with every little thing. Where it's like, he'd change his swing one at bat. Go back, change it, change it, change it. Remember the toe

tap, the this, that. He's doing all that stuff. He's pretty much been the same guy. He's in the same setup for about two years right now. And I think that's really important when it comes to just getting into a rhythm, knowing that swing. You don't have to worry about a million different swings. Just focus on that swing. And since he's focused on just one

swing, he's been freaking dominant. So i like that he's just like in a consistent spot i like that he's just you don't have to like ever really worry about him too far either way um and i like what he does when it comes to giving like real protection for like treyrey Turner and for guys around him. The fact that he is back and the fact that the young guys are struggling right now, like Baumstadt and Marsh, unbelievable to start the season. They're all pretty much cold now, which is normal. That's what happens. It's the ebbs and flows of baseball season.

Brandon Marsh is not leading the league in OPS. Believe it or not. Don't think that was going to happen. Brandon Mertz is not leading the league in OPS Believe it or not But what it does Is like the fact that When those guys figure it out And they turn back around

The fact that one of those guys Is going to be batting 7 Or 8 Is just stupid And that's why it's hard for me to get Like too down on them Because you see all the talent here they just got to get on a roll and figure it out and the lineup with the staff the way it is right

now is gonna have to carry them a little bit here and they've been a smidge inconsistent which is not great but like the Bryce coming back and being right in the middle of the lineup and back to being Bryce Harper with Stoddard Turner in front of them and then in the middle of the lineup and back to being Bryce Harper with Stoddard and Turner in front of him and then bang the rest of the lineup. It's just, it's such a game changer. And it's like such a testament. It's almost like you just want to say thank you. Yeah.

Like for putting in the extra work to like make sure you're back and being fine and being Bryce Harper. Because that's what it, that's almost what it deserves. It does. Again, it's a medical, it's history. It's almost what it deserves it does again it's a medical it's it's history it's unprecedented what this guy has done and you're right you know we talk so much about

just like oh he's built different and oh he's I'm athletes are humans except Bryce Harper all that but you're right like we don't give enough credit to the amount of work that that guy put in to get back on time the rehab the all that stuff he's back because he worked his ass off to get back. Now, I did think it was interesting. He said yesterday before the game with Rosenthal that everyone's under the same plan here. That, like, if I don't play first base this year, it's not the end of the world. Which I thought was interesting because I kind of was under the sense, like, he'll be back DH-ing for a month and then we'll play first base.

And the fact that that's not happening or could not happen is noteworthy, I think. And it really stinks because, again, love Schwarz. Just the left. I've just noticed it way more this year. I've noticed it way more. He seems even slower out there. I know. That's possible.

I know. Last year I swore. There's moments, obviously. But this year is actively killing them. It killed them in the Wednesday game. Friday. There were so many little things that you've got to get to that ball, man. So obviously with Bryce not being able to play first,

you have to keep Schwarber out there in left field. So that's kind of one of the – it's almost like I wanted to play first base. But also, I don't want you to tear your I don't need another Tommy John I think we avoid the Tommy John. But yeah, just what a ball player. It's unbelievable. And again, you're right. It changes

the whole complexion of the lineup. And I do I have total faith that they'll get rolling. I'm really not concerned about this lineup. It is way too deep. It's way too talented. And Trey Turner's too good. He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. Don't worry. He's going to be alright. Okay.

And I am with you. I'm just saying the strikeouts, the first pitch swinging, he walked yesterday, and I was like, what? Is that allowed?

Yeah. He's going to turn it around. I fully believe that. It has just been so frustrating. And, like, the at-bat with Jansen on Friday. I know. Just three straight. It was an embarrassment.

It wasn't even close on him. It wasn't even close. Like, not even close to it. This is 2023 kenley jansen yeah this isn't even peak only is it 0.93 all right but yeah he'll be fine he'll be fine so i get it though because like the castellanos thing it's like oh we just saw this maybe maybe we'll be fine this year and then he'll figure it out cassie still hit no he's still getting it done buddy yeah um what one other thing with

Harper that I want to mention that I do think is important um because we always talk about Harper is not you he should be the leader of the team because he's the best player but he's not like a rah-rah he's not your swervers kind of that guy of the leader and all that but I do appreciate like Bryce comes back they play that horrible game. They play the next horrible game. And that night when they lose third to him, and then the next day, Bryce is like, we can't do that. He's like, that is not okay. We can't lose games.

Like, he just comes out, and I appreciate that Harper, who I've been in the lineup all year, just comes in. He's like, with that guy on the mound, like, we can't do that. We can't lose games like that. And I appreciate that mentality that Bryce is coming right in, not afraid to criticize, not afraid to call people out and just saying unacceptable in his second game back. I appreciate

that. Well, that's what the best players do. Exactly. And that's, and I get it. He hasn't felt comfortable doing that, but you're also the guy. You're the MVP. You're the guy that had Bellum at the bank. You are the guy everyone turns to and when that guy says it, it just holds a different weight. Like Schwarber, Schwarber is, I believe, the emotional leader to the team.

He's the Justin Boer. Yeah, sure. Remember Gabe called him an emotional warrior? Yeah. I'm joking, obviously. Just an emotional warrior. All-time great line. But it was a very quick Justin Boer pull.

I was targeting to use someone better. So good job by you. But I did not see Justin Boer being brought up was not going to use someone better. Good job by you. Thank you. But I did not see Justin Boer being brought up in the program. He was the warrior, you know? But like,

so Schwarber is like, keep it loose in the clubhouse, have fun, like, whatever. But Bryce is the guy. Sets the tone. Yeah,

where it's almost like Howard and Nutley, where it's like, get me to the plate, boys, that kind of thing. And we know the star player always matters when it comes to that kind of stuff um and we know the star player always always matters when it comes to that kind of stuff and it's actually like i don't mean to break sports here but like i feel

like both him and joel have taken a big step forward when it comes to that aspect of it like you know joel yesterday saying he's terrible yeah saying that he like i gotta trust my like whatever like i think he is taking a big step when it comes to growth, and I think Bryce is kind of doing the same thing. Like, I agree with you. Him coming out and being like, that can't happen. Yeah. Especially when you're under 500 and you're kind of, it's kind of teetering a little bit.

Yeah, I know. And that's why it annoys me when, like, a manager or whoever will say, well, that's baseball. You know what I mean? Because, like, Bryce actually understands, like, he is speaking to the fans as well. Yep. Because the fans don't want to hear that's baseball. It's so true, dude.

It's so true. And Bryce being able to be like, no, this is bullcrap. You know? I think that resonates with the fans as well. It does. He knows. I mean, Bryce is, you know, whatever, whether it's coached or not or whatever, I don't care. Like, that guy just understands what we want from an athlete as well as anyone I've ever seen.

It really is amazing. Well, and I think he, I think he, much like hopefully a lot of guys on this team, obviously got intoxicated with what the playoffs were like last year. And the fact that he can kind of feel that slipping a little bit. Yeah, sure. Bryce wants those big moments again. Desperately.

Dude, Bryce has morphed back into one like for a five-year stretch there it felt like bryce was just a guy again you know where he's like not bryce freaking harper and then that one home run i was like oh wait no he's definitely one of the faces of the sport yeah like bryce is back to being one of the faces of the sport and i think he likes that yeah and he wants to get back and doing that again yeah i'm a hundred i i couldn't agree with that more he came here to win titles and and look i, I do think they had that mantra going into the season and we lost it and forgot about it. But two more wins, they feel that. Just like we talk about the Eagles where Jalen Hurd's always so hungry. Bryce Harper's freaking hungry too, man. Bryce Harper wants to win a World Series.

No one loves... There might not be a player in the sport who loves baseball as much as Bryce Harper. He's in the 1% or.01% of baseball players who love the sport they play, love the history, love everything about it. That dude wants a title as much as anyone in the sport. I guarantee it. And he plays that way. Yeah, he does.

He plays that way. Sometimes he's aggressive. You mean his first hit? That was a signal. He's like, I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm back! He's sometimes a's aggressive. You mean his first hit? That was a signal. He's like, I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm back! He's sometimes a little aggressive. He's like, I'm back!

But you take the aggression when it comes for... It's just how the guy is. It's good to have him back. Missed him. Dude, honestly, we needed it.