High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies-Braves Game 3 Postgame Victory Pod

Episode Date: October 12, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are live from Citizens Bank Park, reacting to the Phillies 10-2 beatdown of the Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS. 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

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Harper taps the barrel down on the edge of the plate a couple of times. Now Reddies. Elder takes a peek back at first base the right haters pitch swung on belted deep right field and it's long

gone for Harper a second deck three-run home run for Bryce Harper as he punishes that pitch from Bryce Elder. And the Phillies take the 4-1 lead. Yo! It is a special edition of High Hopes Radio on Final Out. And it was a party down at Citizens Bank Park tonight. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer with you for the next hour.

As you head home from the game, 215-592-9494. Fritzy, what a freaking party tonight, pal. How you doing? There's something about the bottom of the third inning against the Braves in game threes at Citizens Bank Park that don't tend to go very well for the Atlanta Braves. And let me just get this one out of the way early. When it's all said and done,

and this is no disrespect to Mike Schmidt, that man is going to be the greatest Philly of all freaking time. I mean, what a player. It's not only he's a great player, he's two away from the franchise's record for postseason

home runs in like five games. It's really only been five games. And it's the player. It's the moment. It's clutch. It's Orlando Garcia poking the bear and him staring him right down.

The guy is a Mount Rushmore Philly, working his way into being a Mount Rushmore all-time Philadelphia athlete. And Mike Schmidt's the most talented, greatest player. I get it. That dude's the best Philly of all time. Dude, he is on his way to that, seriously. And in terms of clutch, like, I don't ever remember a player who just felt the moment.

Dude, Derek Jeter hit little slap hits as clutch plays. This dude's hitting tanks. He went second deck? He went second deck. And for him to be able to use the motivation the way he does to channel his aggression, like, it is special. It is like inner circle Hall of Famer type thing. Dude, it's not even inner circle.

Baseball players don't do this. No, superstars don't do this. Like, superstars do not do what this guy does over and over and over again. Dude, we've made this comparison after Bedlam at the Bank. He is the most basketball player, walk-off shot. No doubt. Again, because baseball players and great players, individual players, they bat once.

They're not up all the time. The ball's not always in their hand. They're not the quarterback that can take the team down the field. They bat – it's just so rare that they're up in those kind of moments. And it just feels like every time he's in those moments, he's come through. I'm more surprised when he doesn't. I know. Me too.

I'm way more surprised when he doesn't come through. I just love him. I love him. I love Bryce Harper. I do too. I do too. And he listens to come through. Like, I just love him. I love him. I love Bryce Harper. I do, too. I do, too. And he listens to WIP. We'll get to that, too.

Our guy. And that's the thing, too, with Harper is, like, obviously the play on the field is as good as we've ever seen from a Philly in our lifetime. By the way, already really good at first base. Like, way better first base. It looks like he's the player of his whole life. It's unbelievable. first base. Way better first base than the play of his whole life.

It's unbelievable. But also for this guy to come here. We've talked about this so many times, but I just kept thinking tonight about how we never get that guy. We have never had the superstar

say, I want to go be a Philly. And then for him to come here and embrace this city and this organization. He might be more than embracing the city, buddy. He's like a Philadelphian. It's like he's lived here his whole life.

He's like a four-for-four guy. It is truly special, man. Like, it is, you know, I'm old, as you point out. I have not seen many things in my life like this guy in this city right now. What's happening? It's so – and by the the way two home runs two home runs plus 3300 yeah well which i which i well done i told a lot of people that you did it's probably the first thing i told people you told a lot of people for those that are not aware uh i

took bryce over one and two home runs two home runs was plus 3300 no big deal to you like literally my boy my boy bryce harper uh by way, $330 million, also $330 million. Whatever. The synergy is just out of control. Him staring down Orlando Arcea. That photo. I compared it to Iverson over Lou. It's such a great comparison.

I mean, it's Iverson over Lou. That is a cold, cold moment. It was iconic is what it was. Dude, the guy has had two post-seasons here. I mean, we're just getting started, man. That's why part of the reason why I couldn't wait to get back and get back in this ballpark and have these post-season moments again is because we get to see that dude on this stage.

And what he's doing right now, he's already a Hall of Famer, as long as things don't go awry, totally awry. dude on this stage and and what he's doing right now listen he's already a hall of famer you know as long as things don't go awry totally right but now it's like when bryce harper is making his speech in cooperstown like that highlight reel before it opens up to the thousands possibly tens of thousands of phillies fans who have made the trip to cooperstown for bryce harper's induction speech it will be the most philly fans made the trip to Cooperstown for Bryce Harper's induction speech. It will be the most Philly fans to ever travel to Cooperstown without a doubt. It is.

It's going to be Bedlam at the bank. It's going to be that home run tonight. It's going to be the stare down. It's going to be all the home run off McCullers last year. The double last year in the NLCS game four. Like, so, so, so many moments. And, like, it's not all about Bryce. But, like, because they hit six home runs tonight.

I don't know if you're aware of that. Poor Nick Castellanos. The all-time overshadowed two-home run game for Nicky. But Liam was here. So, good vibes. And, look, that first homer was huge. Like, let me tell you. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Let me tell you, being in the building for that one, like, it was tight. It was tight. It was. It was the first time that one, it was tight at 1-0. It was. It was the first time this run that we felt tight at all. And that Cassie Homer opened it up. It changed the entire energy in this building. Totally. 100% agree.

The Cassie Homer run was like, okay, deep breaths. Yep. Exhale. Yep. And they just freaking poured it on. They poured it on, man. A 10 spot. Legitimately. They put up a 10 spot the entire playoffs it on, man. A 10 spot. Legitimately.

They didn't put up a 10 spot the entire playoffs last year. First two home run game, both of them of the last two years. Juan Castellanos' first playoff home run as a Philly. Which is huge. How about another first home run, playoff home run? Trey Turner. Thank you, Jack. How about that?

Oh, wow. I mean, but it was. It really was. It was a party, man. And again, for this team, we've talked a lot about Harper, but for the team themselves to lose game two the way they did, especially after losing game five in the World Series last year, like you said it, you're like, that felt like game five.

Like that type of feeling that I have was what I felt like after game five. For them to bounce back like so authoritatively, so dominantly, like that was what great teams do. And this is Donovan Chastpad on our part. Knowles, man. Like he's a story. He's also a major story of this game. The offense, unbelievable.

But him holding the Braves to one run in the top of the third, big. Him just, like, starting to mow them down after that, huge. Even in the first, runners on, like, throughout the game, he kept getting runners on and finding his ways out of those jams. And that's been the biggest difference between this version of Aaron Nola they've gotten the last little bit, last four starts, is that when runners get on, he's getting out of it and he's not letting it spiral into more and more runs.

He's just – he's back to being that version of Aaron Nola. And it just, James, James, it feels like it's all, and I know we'll get to it, but just a PSA, end it tomorrow. Oh, buddy. End it tomorrow. Like, so the We Want Strider chants night. First of all, whoever you are who started that chant, that's for you. Thank you.

That was awesome. Please don't steal the clap your hands bit already. Yeah, you know. I've been a long time clapper. I know. You're a big clap guy. I'm a clap guy. But, yeah, dude.

I don't know if I'll be able to sleep at night tonight because I am so bloodthirsty and ready to get in this ballpark tomorrow to give that guy everything we got dude it's gonna be a it's it's I mentioned last week how I felt like we were walking into the Roman Roman Coliseum oh yeah tomorrow is going like given the way they talked in the ninth the strider stuff the we want strider this city is going to be at a frothing point by the first pitch tomorrow. Dude, and we know, we've talked about it. This building, with a chance to clinch a series, is different.

And with Strider on the hill tomorrow, oh, buddy. All right, 215-592-9494. Get on the line now. We're going to take calls next segment. We want to hear reaction. If you were at the game, call us. Let us know how it felt to be. I mean, the first Harper-Homer, like, right up there.

Dude. That's that one, the bedlam, the Reese. Like, that was special in this building. And listen, I know, like, people that are driving home that maybe don't listen to IOPs, which, what are you doing? What are you doing? Check out the IOPs pod. I mean, come on.

We have talked all year long about the amount of bits this team is doing. I know. The biggest bit they're doing is just redooming last year all over again. It's like to a T. Dude, the Hoskins home run and the Harper home run. It was the Harper home run. It's the same thing. It's the same thing.

And, like, the Cassidy homer was like the Stoddard bat. Like, it's like similar type – not a homer, but similar type stuff. Like, the beats were the same. It really was. And I just – I'm so happy that Ike was here for the Harper home run. homer but similar type stuff like it the beats were the same it really was it's and i just i'm so happy that that ike was here for the harvard home run we had a blast celebrating with like i get ike's a good time man it's fun to hang with well and ike has the whole thing on video too yes he does and i still have some seltzer on me from like throwing the cell yourself yes i have

some self on me all right two one five five i know it's exciting home run but calm down that's true that's true all That's true. All right. 2-1-5-5-9-2-94-94. We're going to come back. We're going to take your calls. It's High Hopes Radio. Fritz and Seltzer on a special edition of Final Out

as we react to a 10-2 dominant show. And from the Philz tonight, they go to close it out tomorrow. We'll react to it all. 2-1-5-5-9-2-94-94. We're coming right back. When you said what you said, did you intend for it to get back tomorrow when you decided?

I think I intended to let him hear it. You're not supposed to hear it, that's why we're celebrating in the clubhouse. He wasn't supposed to hear it. That's why we were talking in the clubhouse. The clubhouse is a sanctuary and I think when things like that get out it it doesn't make people want to talk to the media at all um it affects the people who have been great to us all

year and it is what it is wow what a bunch of babies that was or Orlando Arcia and Travis Darnot whining and crying like a couple of babies because you said something in the clubhouse with reporters there, you moron. Like, no one to blame but yourself. Bryce, I made you pay for it. I think they deserve a ring when this is all said and done. Listen, can't get mad at Travis Darnot. He brought me Roy Halliday. That's true.

That's a good point. Even though he did rip our hearts out the other night in the beginning. We'll give Travis Darnot a pass. Orlando Garcia, like, I love Orlando Garcia. He's, like, one of my favorite athletes of all time. Philly's sports folk hero now, you know? Yeah, and, like, I mean, between Garcia and then showing up in the Deion Sanders stuff. And, like, they messed around and made it personal.

Like, dude, get this team a ring, man. Like, get this team a ring and see what Broad Street's like. Oh, my goodness. Like, it's going to be – the Eagles parade was a party. Oh, wait. For me, that was wild. I was, like, a kid, you know? Like, this team, the relationship they have with the city,

it's going to be a love affair between both sides. Dude, you know what I've said. I'll keep saying it. I truly believe that if the Phillies finish this off and win a World Series, between the seasons it's been after going last year and coming back and the whole thing with the fans, the love affair between team and town, I think it will be the greatest Philadelphia sports story of my lifetime. Like, I honestly feel that way.

It has a chance to really, really, really be special. 215-592-9494. Let's get reaction. If you were down here tonight, call in. Let's do what we've been doing every single post-game show. Let's start it off with our guy, Black Brady. What up, Bo? All these people talking, all this stuff I harper.

Why won't they just let him live? Oh, Nolo, baby mama. Nolo, I told you today that Nolo's going to take that down and get down. What did he do? Oh, what did he do? that Nolo's going to take that down and get down. What did he do? What did he do?

Cassidy, what did you say yesterday? Oh, we get punched in the face and we just keep coming back. And what did he do? He thrived. He smacked two of them right in the face. Right in the face for his son that my son watched so that he too could tell the legend of his father. Yeah, Liam, I'm sorry, buddy. School's canceled.

Yeah, buddy. Yeah, Liam, I'm sorry, buddy. School's canceled. Yeah, buddy. Yeah, Liam, I'm sorry. This is like, I know we're making a big declaration here. Like, we're not your parents, but school's canceled. I feel pretty good with that call. We about to homeschool him in the clubhouse, homie. It's over now. So let me tell you something.

I love you, Bryce Harper. Thank you for choosing me. We are not bears. They're poker bears. They came into the lion's den not bears. They're poker bears. They came into the lion's den, boy. They came into the fire pit to help today, and they got dealt with. They are lions.

You see their hair? Everybody out there shot. I lost the bet because somebody didn't get hit for me, but everybody else was hitting. And it is amazing. Great day and a loud, cold morning. Thank you, Philly, for being who you are. Oh, my God.

One more, guys. We've got to get one more. And it's at home tomorrow, right? Is it at home? It's at home, baby. Yeah, let me tell you something. Run out to my house! Love it. Oh, you're the best. What a great call. What a great way to start off. We are broadcasting live from the DeBoer

Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth. DeBoer Heart and Lung Center, the Delaware Valley's only heart hospital. My only point is, don't let tonight be game three of the World Cup. No, no, no, no. Like, I just don't. They're a team on a mission, man. They're a team on a mission.

And listen, I think last year legitimately they were like, we're going to freaking win. Of course they were. The whole city was. We all remember where we were when it was 7-0 game three after that. Every single person in this city said, we are winning the World Series. Yeah. And I think that it was a learning experience.

They did not show up the next night, obviously. They got no hit. So I just hope that tomorrow, like tonight, for as great as it was that you flushed game two. No doubt. Flushed this one tonight too. You're right. Great moment, special. Like, ballpark was electric. Tighted game two. No doubt. Flushed this one tonight too. You're right. Great moment, special.

Like, ballpark was electric. Tight in the beginning. Tight in the beginning. But it was tight. We got there. We got there. And I think the Strider angle will get it out of them. I totally agree with you.

Motivation. They clearly use it. And if you remember Bryce talking last year about how before he had Bedlam, he was just talking about how we're not going back to San Diego. And I don't think they want to get on the plane. I don't think they want to get on the plane and go back to Atlanta for a possible game five. I would feel good because Wheeler's on the mound.

I was before the game saying, Phil's in five. Of course, when they win like that, it's Phil's in four all day. Just come out. Take care of business. Let the crowd be your ally tomorrow. Because they're coming in bloodthirsty, ready to go. Ready for blood. Yes, for Spencer Strider.

Which is funny because he didn't mention Phil at all. No, no. But everyone was like, you're definitely talking about us. We all know, man. Like, we all know. Dude, this Braves team is handling this so bad. So poorly. James, I'm so sorry.

I know. No, I'm so sorry. Oh, I know. It's now three home runs in the third off of Lance. So, look, it's a good thing. We want home field advantage if we get through this and all that. But I was really hoping for a less late night tomorrow night. But, you know, I'll suck it up.

Yeah, I'm not saying home field yet. Yeah, we're not there yet. No, no, you know, I'll suck it up. Yeah, I'm not saying home field yet. Yeah, we're not there yet. No, no, no. I said if they get through. We are a one game at a time podcast. That's right. We've said that many times. Yes.

But, man, what a – like I just – I can't stop smiling. I know. And I can't stop thinking about plus 3,300. I know. I know. I just – it's awesome, man. I keep seeing the whole run over and over again. I thought Michael Harris caught it.

I'm just letting you know. Did you really? Oh, see, I was right there. I was like, that is long gone. Because, like, I know my betting history. Oh, you're talking about the second one? The second one. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, he went for it, dude. He, like, leaped over the fence for it. Which I didn't appreciate. No, he really tried. He did not know I had plus 3,300. No. But, you know, it all worked. It all worked.

Bryce knew. Now, that's the big key. That Bryce is like, hold on, my boy. We got to take care of Jack, man. Jack helped us out. I got to help Jack out too. Yep. 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9. Schwarber did not help me out.

No, but you know what? A little down on Schwarbs. I think you won today. Yeah, we're still winning. All good. Yeah, it's all great. It's pretty crazy. Look, they're a game away from clinching,

and they've already won a series prior to this, and Schwarber's yet to homer. I know. He's due. It's funny because he's all great. Look, they're a game away from clinching, and they've already won a series prior to this, and where is he at to homer? I don't know. He's due. It's funny because he's been fine. Until tonight, he had hits in every game. He's a slap hitter. Slap hitter.

That's what he is. Whatever works. All right, let's – ooh, our guy. We saw him tonight. Let's go to Downingtown and talk to Chad. What up, Chad? You're my one stopper. Bang. Nine more, baby, Chad? Nine more wins, Domper! Bang.

Nine more, baby. Bang. Nine more. Oh, guys. Yeah, it was a little bit dead to start the game. I was tweeting out. Jack, I stole your tweet

with feels like a loss. I didn't say feels like a loss. I said tight ballpark. No, I know, but that's always your tweet. I had to get it out. And you know what? The reverse jinx was there for us.

And Harper, man, like, that dude is just so good at baseball. And then Castellanos, like, both of them coming in in the Dion shirts and both of them hitting two home runs. Like, what are the chances of that? Yeah, exactly, Chad. It is so insane, and it just shows these guys really did come in with a purpose and with a mission, and they executed it. Yeah.

All right, guys, so one more tomorrow. We're going to come in hot. Strider is not able to pitch in this ballpark during October, so let's grease the poles and get ready for a celebration, and then then I'll see you guys. Love it. Chad, awesome seeing you tonight. We'll see you tomorrow night at the game.

Spencer. Strider. Dude, again, I don't want to sleep. I might sleep at the ballpark. You should. Yeah, maybe I'll sleep under here. Yeah, that's a good idea. If I sleep under here, they won't catch me.

Well, I have a feeling tomorrow night I'm not going to get any sleep at all. No, no, no, no, no. Trying to take advantage of it. Dude, it was 730 and like the 4th, and I was like, dude, the Marlins games didn't start until 8. I know. I know, dude. It was a very slow-moving day.

I know. Well, the Diamondbacks now 4-0 on the Dodgers early, so we'll be here at 8 o'clock tomorrow night ready for blood. Guess who's doing pregame. That's right. We'll be on pregame tomorrow night. Check us out. High hopes pregame and postgame.

All right. 2-1-5, 5-9-2, 94-94. We'll continue to take your reaction as we continue to react to a dominant, an absolutely dominant show from the Phillies tonight. I want to get more thoughts on Nola. We haven't given Nola enough credit and enough talk because he really was awesome tonight, and the ovation off the field was special.

So that's coming up next as well as your calls. It's Fritz. It's Seltzer. It's High Hopes Radio. We'll be right back. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster.

Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. How about that? It's another six-run bottom of the third inning in game three for the Phillies.

Incredible. JT with a two-run double, and it's six to one, Phillies. I mean, the fact that it's a six-run third again, batting around in the inning. Home JT. How about it? Really, just the – You never doubted home JT, by the way. No, never once.

Never said anything bad about him. This team, like carbon copying last season, is just getting weirder and weirder. It's like hard to believe that we're seeing this play out the way it's playing out again. And you know what the ultimate cherry on top would be? Is a reset bat. Oh, buddy.

Like, it feels like we're setting up for that. It does. It feels like we're setting up for that. It does. Yeah. Like, and again, six-run third, unbelievable. But, I mean, Aaron Nola. Yeah.

And he, we said a month ago, you have a chance if you just go on a run to change the entire narrative about your season. Has anyone even thought about midseason Nola right now? Nope, nope. Like, it's back to being like – well, and, you know, the Conklin song, obviously. Yeah, it was huge. Sweeping the nation. No, no, no.

So good. Yeah, so good. And, like, no. So good. Yeah, so good. And, like, he's back to being our guy. And the fact that, you know, again, when we talk about this whole thing seemingly coming together at the right time, you know, what we said heading into the postseason was offense we feel good about. Yep. The bullpen, there's enough talent down there to where if they can just get on a run they can they can do their thing it was always going to come down to wheeler and nola yep

and through so far so freaking good man better than last year yeah and they're both they're both good last year as well i mean it's man just it's special and tomorrow um ranger on the mound so official by the way topper just announced that ranger suarez will start the game, it's, man, just it's special. And tomorrow, Ranger on the mound. Official, by the way, Topper just announced that Ranger Suarez will start the game tomorrow. So it's going to be interesting because I don't, it will not be the same strategy they used in game one, I don't think. I'm sure they would let him go deeper into this game. The one thing that I was thinking about is,

and maybe this could be a strategy they use tomorrow. We'll see how the game kind of plays out. But if they want to do Ranger only going four again and only being like a one-time through the lineup guy, if they can have a righty go like an inning or an inning or two, I don't know who that righty would be at this point. Obviously, we'll decide that tomorrow. I wonder if they give Sanchez like a piggyback with a pause.

Oh, that's interesting. So it's not the same pitcher because Ranger and him are very similar. Yeah. But it's essentially getting seven. And you try and line it up with Acuna, Riley when those guys are coming up. Yeah. So it's like Ranger starts it. Yeah, because Albie's worse from the left side too.

So that works out great if it's that top three. Ranger from the left side, pause, guy in the middle, whether it's an inning or two, and then back to being Sanchez. That should be able to get you through seven. And then you got your guys rested. I mean, they didn't use Alvarado tonight. They didn't use Hoffman. Obviously, Kimbrell, like all those guys.

Kimbrell sat a lot, which is important. Huge, of all the guys who can get rest. And he looked better. Like that inning in Atlanta was really good, 1-2-3, which was shocking of all things. By the way, another scoreless outing for Orion Gergering. No big deal to him. Like, start the year in low A.

Saw his dad post-game walking around here. Get outs in the postseason like it's nothing. Like it's nothing. Man, what a team. What a team. All right, 215-592-9494. We'll continue to react. Call if you're on your way home from the game.

Let's keep it rolling. Let's go to Northeast Philly and talk to our guy Richie. What up, Richie? James, Jack, first things first, and I can hear Elliot breathing behind you in the broadcast room there. He's right here. Whoever's in charge of putting high hopes on pregame and postgame,

I speak for everyone when I say thank you, thank you, thank you, and keep it going. Bryce Harper. Come on, we plan on it, buddy. Back tomorrow. Back tomorrow. Listen, Bryce Harper, seven games against the Braves. Back tomorrow. Back tomorrow. Listen, Bryce Harper, seven games against the Braves, 481, 13 hits, five home runs, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored. He owns them. Wow. He owns them. That is insane. This city, between the 83 Phillies, the 93 Phillies,

the 07, the 12 run, and now this one, we had every generation from kids now who are 6, 7, 8, 9, all the way up through people 60, 70, 80 years old. Everybody is now united having seen some form of Phillies team make a run. And I really believe that that's why this city is so swept up this time around. Every generation is involved with this team. It really is. That's a great point. Wector said that.

I was hanging with Wector during the show a couple days ago, and he was like, yeah, this team is like a new generation's team. You know, it's like for me it was 80, for you 93, you know, and so on and so forth, and then 07, 211, the whole thing. And for you, the Wiz kids. That's right, me, the Wiz kids. Well, really, you know, I love the 1883 team, the first one. Well, you're a big fan of the 64 team until the collapse.

Yeah, I thought we had it that year. But, Richie, it's a great point, man. And that's part of what makes sports so special is not only is it generational and it's something like my dad is the reason I love baseball. He's the one who got me to be a Phillies fan, the whole thing. But also, like, in this city in particular, you know, it's part of the fabric of the city. It really does matter more here. And you know, when you combine that with the,

the generational aspect of it, like it is, it is a special thing, man. It's special. It's awesome. Let me, let me throw two more things at you real quick. Number one, I've been saying this all night long on Twitter, Bryce Harper, we deserve him as much as he deserves us in the city. It's a match made in heaven. And as far as the highs of Game 1, the lows of Game 2, and all

that discussion we had back in tonight, this is why we follow sports, fellas. This is why we do it. Love you guys. Richie, great call. Yeah, and just thinking about Bryce and what's going on right now, I just hope that everyone out there you know if

you're old enough obviously you're old enough to listen to the radio but like i know that's not breaking news but like we're gonna be able to spend the rest of our lives saying that we got to watch bryce freaking harper in his prime like. Like, I can't wait to – because, like, I always get jealous. Like, people growing up, it was like, oh, I saw Reggie. Oh, I saw Mike Schmidt. Like, oh, I saw all these guys. I get to say I saw Bryce Harper. Yeah, man.

Like, I get to see – I get to say I saw Bryce Harper at Bedlam at the Bank. We saw Bryce Harper in the World Series in Game 4 after the Garcia comments, we got to see Bryce Harper doing his thing, being an all-time playoff performer. Remember before they signed him? People were like, oh, is he clutch? Oh, yeah. Has he ever had a big hit in his life?

Does he have the it factor? Like, yeah, he does. I think we could say, yes, he does. He's our, I mean, when you think of the most clutch players in the history of baseball, right? Reggie Jackson. Mm-hmm. Jeter. Mm-hmm.

I know that hurt you to say that, but it's the right thing to do. It did hurt me to say that. It did. I mean, pitchers are different. Yeah, the Becketts, the Smoltzes, those type of guys, like the Shillings and the guys who were huge in the game. Yeah, Poppy. Poppy had some huge moments. Huge moments.

Yeah, Manny was awesome in the game. Yeah, Poppy. Poppy had some huge moments. Huge moments. Yeah, Manny was awesome in the playoffs. So, yeah, Harper's like that kind of guy, man. I think our guy is working. He might be the 2020s version of Poppy. Yeah, dude. Because this is an ending, by the way. No, well, that's the point. You're saying all this stuff, and I'm thinking in my head,

I'm like, and we're still going. Like, we're still in the heart of this thing. He's 31. 30. 30, I believe. He's 30. He'll be 31 next week. Him and still in the heart of this thing. He's 31. 30. 30, I believe. He's 30. He'll be 31 next week. Him and Ike share the birthday next Monday.

Oh, look at that. What a beautiful thing. Yeah, two goats. Two goats. But I get to pass down that I got to see Bryce Harper. I think that's why we love baseball. That's why – because baseball is generational. Baseball is the sport that you pass we love baseball. That's why, like, because baseball is generational. Baseball is the sport that you pass down.

Totally. Totally. And you go to games with your father, and you learn the game like that. And to Richie's point, like, in addition to that, the why we love sports thing, you know I've said this a ton, but, like, it's a commitment to watch the Phillies. Like, it's 162 games. And evenillies like it's 162 games and even if you don't do 162 if you do 130 140 150 or whatever that's like a lot of your life like a lot of your free time that you have for six months of the year you're giving over to this team on a

nightly basis and you know we have not had a lot given back to us over the years that like when this happens it's so special because it's like that's what you do it for that's why we watch all these games that's why we invest our time in this club to be able to have this i love me too man i just love him so much i love let's keep it rolling let's go to miami and talk to gordon hey g, guys. What's up? High Hopes Radio. Let the WIP management know we need you guys every single day from the beginning of March to the end of October. That's a lot of radio. I love it, Gordon.

I'm there. The team in green, I don't need to hear about the team in green until Thanksgiving, okay? Yep. Totally agree with you, buddy. Totally agree with you. I'm with you, man. I don't know who you're talking about. Yeah.

But, like, everything you said about Bryce is so true, right? He is – past Puffy, I think he's maybe the most clutch athlete that I can think of in my lifetime since Jordan. Wow, that's bold, too. But I don't actually want to talk about Bryce Harper because the swing of the night and maybe the swing of the year is Castellanos if the guy's saying we will respond to getting punched in the mouth you're right go down tonight and it's Castellanos who hits the home run to tie the game

and Bryce's big home run is that's awesome right like I we all knew he was going to do it in that moment, but it was a tight game because Nick Castellanos, calm and easy, just popped the ball out of the left field. Gordon, and we said it before, but in the building, I can't tell you how important that home run was. It was tight here, and Castie had that homer, and the floodgates opened. Yeah. In game two, we talked about should Wheeler have been in the game, should Hoffman have thrown the slider.

But the real breaking point in game two is Turner making that error. Yep. And tonight, it's Castellanos with the home run. I agree with you. That's the moment. It's the most important moment in this entire Philly season. It's like that team was down. It was the worst possible way to have a split in Atlanta.

And it's Nick Cappiano who said, everything's fine, guys. I'm just going to calmly go about the business of hitting a home run, tying the game, and now we're going to go win the game. Like, the MVP of the year is Nick Castellanos. Gordon, great call. And it was that big in the moment. And let's take a second and think about the Nick Castellanos that we saw in the postseason last year.

The gold glover? Yeah, right, exactly. But, like, seriously, like, how we felt. Like, think about how we felt when Nick Castellanos came to the plate in the postseason last year. And for him to have a night like this. And and and look he was their best hitter in game two too even though they win it like he was awesome he almost won it for him at the end like Casti for that guy who has been such a fun guy to have here and has embraced the whole thing and did

contribute with his glove last year it is so awesome to see that dude hitting bombs getting big hits in the playoffs because that's what we we expected when we signed him yeah and and again official high hopes wip position like school's canceled liam like we gotta run like we gotta run to go on pal covered um and uh yeah i was thinking i was listening to Gordon talk. Can we also take a moment to appreciate that for – hold on, I'm doing quick math, which is always a bad idea. That's a bad idea, buddy. For 27 innings, the Phillies have essentially kicked the Braves' ass for 24 of them. Yeah, 25 really.

Because that was just the error that got the run in. But it wasn't like that. Those last two innings, the two and two, it's really only two innings the Phillies have not and man the loser loser vibes coming out of that dugout unbelievable that clubhouse like how do they come out I mean I know I know like we did the whole flush it thing after game two like their attitude after losing the game tonight it's gonna be it's gonna be hard for them to come out well think about the difference like we just had gordon call in think about what nick castellano said after that game and being like we thrive when we get punched

in the face like we're gonna use this as as motivation we're gonna go out and kick their butts and like the opposite where tonight you hear you know bad media it really is like it It wasn't supposed to get out. Bad media. It really is. One team is ready and one team is not. And that's what it feels like. And it feels like tomorrow night they're just going to. Our Phils? Our Phils.

Can you believe it? Like we've said our whole lives. Winners. It is surreal to see a Phillies team do this type of stuff. Let's go to the phones. Go to Brooklyn and talk to Linda. Hey, Linda. Hi, dear. How are you? Thanks for having me on. Of course, Linda.

It is so exciting. I was listening to all the, the, the shared hot tip moments and, oh man, this is absolutely special. And I agree with you guys. You know, I am a little bit concerned. I guess all of us here, we love the Phillies, you know, about going, I would prefer, as my helper here, and I'm going to pray about this, you know, they really don't need to go around that Atlanta, those fans are angry about something. They throw trash. I said, what are they saying, that my Phillies are trash? No, I think they just were showing that they were not a very classy fan base in that moment.

That's for sure. You know, but it was so out of the ordinary. It was very, very shocking. You know, a lot of people were talking about it. Yeah. Their responses. We love it, Linda. I mean, Philadelphia, just classy.

Yeah, that's what we do. Just win. Linda, thanks for the call. Like, that's the thing is, it has changed. Oh, just classy. Yeah, that's what we do. Just win. Well, that's true. Linda, thanks for the call. Like, that's the thing is it has changed. Oh, my God. You're seeing fights all over football. Like, you're seeing Braves fans throw stuff on the field. Meanwhile, Philadelphia, everything's like, dude, have you seen those crowds?

Like, the story of the season for Philadelphia fans has been the crowds in the playoffs and us giving an ovation to our struggling player. Like, that's the story of the season. And I think that the whole narrative of the Philadelphia sports fan has totally been flipped. It's changing, man. Totally. As it should have a long time ago.

It was such a BS narrative. It was so tired. Highest slugging percentages in postseason history. Oh, yeah. This is a good one right here. Number one, Babe Ruth, 744 slugging percentages in postseason history. Oh, yeah. This is a good one right here. Number one, Babe Ruth. 744 slugging percentage, which is bonkers, by the way. It doesn't seem real.

Lou Gehrig. I heard him. 731. Yeah, I've heard of that guy. Those two guys had a lot of postseason success, I think we could say. Number three. Get out of here. Bryce Harper.

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bryce Harper. 6'35". Oh, my God. Again, your little slap hitter, Derek Jeter. He's the third highest postseason slugging percentage in the history of Major League Baseball. And he's behind two legends, like 1927 Yankees guys. I'm not here to disrespect people that were alive to watch Babe Ruth.

Bryce Harper's a way better player than Bryce Harper. Babe Ruth is facing me. Exactly. Babe Ruth would not thrive in today's game. I'm sorry to tell people. People hate when you say that, but it's just the truth. Well, I'll give you the idea. What, Ruth did it on hot dogs and beer?

How'd you do it? Well, Bryce Harper's doing it's just the truth well i'll give you the idea what ruth did it on the hot dogs and beer you know how'd you do it well bryce harper's doing it by being the goat yeah bryce harper's doing it on motivation alone like that's all that guy needs let's go to roxborough and talk to zach yo zach gentlemen tonight was one of the most beautiful nights of my phillies fandom yeah um If you give me just a moment, grew up a Phillies fan, you know, sitting in my dad's truck at an ice cream spot listening to Harry Callas

call games on the radio, fell off a little bit, 07, live with my dad, started asking him questions about the Phillies as a way to just kind of reconnect with him, to ask him, you know, start conversations. Leads to cheersing champagne and red cups

in 08, and then, you know, that whole run. Last year, got to go to a couple playoff games. This year, my dad bought me a Sunday package for a season ticket, so I could buy a round for each of these playoffs.

He passed away a couple weeks ago. day package for a season ticket so I could buy a round for each of these playoffs. Nice. He passed away a couple weeks ago. And I've gone to both wild card games. I've gone to this game. And every time when Stott hit that grand slam, when Bryce hit that home run, all I could do is look into the sky and think of my dad and how much he must be screaming at the top of his lungs at what is happening with this team right now um it is insane you're right it was super tight tonight the beginning of this game my friends were texting me why is the crowd feel so tight because it just like we got punched

in the face the last game right nola looked amazing i felt like he was going to show up like he always does in the playoff than he has so far and then bryce and costanos first just opened it up for everybody and then the party started man and it was i got to go with my brother um it's just a magical moment and this team means so much to the city, the fan base, like you said, to generations of fans, I'm nearly 40. Um,

so I'm not nearly as old as Seltzer, but, um, but you know, like it's, it's just this. And I was around for 93, barely conscious probably of,

of like sports on the level that I am now. And I just, I feel like everything is lining up for us to make another magical run I we we either take this game tomorrow or we take it in five I don't care the Braves have nothing to beat us at this point and then more likely the Diamondbacks are coming here and we're gonna smoke them first time i know right yeah because they have no like this this new team that's never been a playoff they have no freaking idea about the buzz saw that is citizens bank park that they're walking into none of these teams can handle it and to your point you know like nick saying we got punched in the face we love to get punched

in the face i remember seeing a picture bry Harper wearing a Trey Turner T-shirt, Ronald Acuna wearing a T-shirt about himself. Speaks volumes to the difference in the culture that these two teams have. Zach, wonderful call, my friend. Seriously, we appreciate you. That was a great call. Call us again after the win. It's a beautiful thing, man. I'm really sorry you lost your dad. I know what that's like. win. Yeah, man. It's a beautiful thing, man.

And I'm really sorry you lost your dad. I know what that's like. I appreciate it, man. I think he's happy right now and he's enjoying it. And we got nine more for Danny Dean. We got nine more topper. Love it. Zach, great call. Thanks a lot, Zach.

Yeah, and look, my dad passed away almost 20 years ago. And I never got to see a World Series championship with him. And when they won in 08, that was like the main thing going through my mind. So that's what we're talking about, where it's so important to generations, to families, to the way you connect with your families, to how you spend time together. It's just a – It's more than sports. It really is, man.

Yeah. I mean, and that's why the city's the best. Obviously, when the Eagles won in 17, so many people went to graves and put Eagles caps on. It's a special, special place. And when Bryce talks about it, he feels it, you know. And he gets us. And I can't wait to get back in this ballpark tomorrow.

I'm so excited. I can't wait. I am so excited. I hope Spencer Strider can't sleep tonight. Dude, do you think he can? That guy's terrified. They need to play the video of him saying, I don't want fans in the stands on the screen.

Dude, what? It'll melt here. Like, the place will literally melt. I couldn't stop thinking when the We Want Strider chants were going. Do you think he was just sitting in the dugout, like, bleeping? Yeah. I think that's exactly what was going through his head. Do you think he was like, oh, damn it.

Yep. I think that's exactly what's going through his head. I mean, you don't say that unless that's in your head, unless that's something you're thinking about. And now he's coming into a game with a crowd out for blood and a team that is on the ropes. It's not like there's no pressure on you, Spencer. There's a lot of pressure on you, buddy. And the crowd's going to be loud.

It's going to be an awesome, awesome night here tomorrow night, Fritz. He had a likely late night. And likely 8 o'clock start, yes. Likely late night. All right, let's get one more call in before we get out of here. Let's go to Matt in Wilmington. Yo, Matt. Fellas, this is what happens when you come to Philadelphia.

Yep. This is a special, special team, and the Braves are finding that out for the second time in two years. These guys remember. The Braves are finding that out for the second time in two years. These guys remember. The Braves, they remember this. They are not looking forward to coming to the ballpark tomorrow. And I can tell you, the Phillies, Bryce Harper, baseball Jesus himself,

cannot wait for tomorrow night. He might not sleep tonight either. I don't think he can wait to get back here these guys these this Phillies team they saw the promised land last year and they're going to summit the mountaintop this season I know it and I feel it Matt I agree with you that the two more like two more wins they came into the season with a mantra, with an ethos, with a destination. And it really does feel like this is a team on a mission. Exactly. And you saw it with Castellanos, the ring finger.

They have a goal. They know what they're here to do. It's not to win the NLDS. It's to win the World Series. And they're on the right track right now. What I saw tonight was a team that fights. And this is the Phillies team that I saw last season for 95 of the postseason and i just i cannot wait i'm gonna be at the game again tomorrow i got to see jack today um and i just i i will not sleep i can tell

you that much and i am counting down the minutes let's go go, fellas. Great meeting you today, buddy. I really appreciate that. Great call, buddy. We'll be here tomorrow. Everyone come say hi. Looks like we'll be doing the pregame show. Looks like the Diamondbacks are going to win. We'll see what happens.

Still early. 4-0, as we know, is not an insurmountable lead. So, you know, that's something. All right, Fritzy, put a bow on it. So, it went from a tight ballpark to a party. Aaron Nola stepped up, big spot, did his job. And our guy continues to cement and create a legacy of being the best Philly of all time. And he's continuing to do that.

I want a special, special shout out to Orlando Garcia. My favorite player in baseball. I love him. I love him. He's just the best. He never has to buy a drink in Philly, I'll tell you that much. Never again. Never again.

And in a season with so many storylines, again, like from the ovations to the no hitter, to the crowds in Augustust to the marlin series to like harper 300 harper so many things blowing that game but we listen they're continuing to put together an all-time run and i just can't help but think about finishing the job yep and they And they look motivated. They look locked in. And Spencer, I hope you sleep like crap tonight. Oh, buddy, we're coming for you, pal. We.

This time it's we. The Phillies are coming for you too, but we. Philadelphia is coming for you, Spencer Strider. And, you know, to Jack's point, like, what a night for our guy Bryce Harper, who, you know, we said this before, but, you know, he knows how important this is for his legacy, for his history, for all that stuff. Like, and I think this team, they're primed, man.

They're primed, and they love each other, and they play for each other, and they love us, and they tell us they love us. It is a special thing we're witnessing right now, and I can't wait to get back here tomorrow and witness it again. And end it. That's exactly right. Spencer Strider, we're coming for you. All right.

Thank you to Tucker Bagley in the studio. Awesome job producing the show. Thank you to everyone who called in. We literally could not do the show without you. Our guy TK, Tom Kelly, coming up next. Call him about NOLA. Tell him how great NOLA was. Oh, yeah, where's the fake ace now?

Where is he? Make Tom Kelly answer for the NOLA takes tonight. But, no, Tom's super psyched, I'm sure, too, as that was an awesome win tonight. So everyone call TK. Take it through the night. I'll talk to you guys soon. I'll be back at 6 a.m.

Fritz after that. So, and again, check out the IOPs pod. What a win. What a win. What a win. 10-2 final tonight. A thrilling win. Thank you to everyone for listening, for calling. It has been a special edition of High Hopes Radio

reacting to a dominant Phillies win right here on 94 WIP.