The Showman: Superstar Harper looks to bring World Series back to Philly

Bryce Harper has been one of baseball’s greatest superstars since his rookie season in Washington in 2012. He has won two NL MVPs since then. He has made eight NL All-Star teams. He has been NL Rookie of the Year and an NLCS MVP. He has even won a Home Run Derby. Harper is a generational talent who has exceeded the hype, which is saying something, because “Sports Illustrated” put him on its cover when he was just 16 years old. The headline: “Baseball’s Chosen One.”

The moment Harper signed a 13-year contract with the Phillies in the spring of 2019, it signaled a return to winning baseball in Philadelphia. Harper delivered, although he is still pursuing the elusive World Series Championship. We talked with Harper recently about the 2026 All-Star Game being played in Philadelphia, his time in Philly, his love of the Phillie Phanatic and more:

Back in 2019, you were at Independence Hall when Major League Baseball announced the 2026 All-Star Game would be in Philadelphia. Do you remember anything about that day?

Bryce Harper: It was definitely different. Odúbel Herrera was sitting next to me. [laughs] That’s pretty crazy. I remember everybody just being super excited. I think everybody in that moment, from the government officials to everybody else there — it’s the 250th anniversary of the country — everybody was just excited. What a moment to be able to do it here and celebrate it here. It’s really cool. I really hope I get the opportunity to play in it and be part of it.

It’s been seven years since you joined the Phillies. Does it feel like time has flown by?

BH: It’s crazy. Obviously, at the time, [wife] Kayla was pregnant with [first son] Krew, so that was kind of like the first ball that dropped, starting a family, trying to find a home, trying to find a community, all that stuff. That whole first year, I mean, first years are tough. They are. Just going into a new city and all that stuff. But, I’ve been here longer than I was in D.C., you know? I’ve loved it. I’ve loved every minute of it, loved every part of it. It’s going quick, which is kind of sad. I feel like the later I’ve gotten into my career, the quicker everything has gone, especially with family and just all the craziness with four kids. But I also think winning helps. It goes quick because you win.

How would you describe Philly to people who haven’t been here before?

BH: Man, watch out. [laughs] I think there is a real sense of community here. There’s this notion that it’s hard-nosed, it’s blue collar, all that stuff. And it is, for sure. But the people that I’ve been around that are from the outskirts or in the city who work here, everybody that I’ve come in contact with have been great. From the media to the staff to the coaches, just anybody that’s been in this realm of the clubhouse, and then people from restaurants, chefs, different cultures, different people, everybody’s been open arms and it’s been awesome.

What was your welcome to Philly moment as a big leaguer with Washington in 2012?

BH: Probably getting booed in my first at-bat. [laughs] That’s not a bad thing. It’s just how it is. I think the funny part for me is that I love listening to sports-talk radio. Everybody knows that it’s just something I love to listen to because it just makes me laugh. Because people obviously have so many opinions about things and just have no idea about what’s going on. There’s just so much information out there, so I just laugh. And it’s not just about baseball. It’s hockey, it’s the Eagles, the Sixers. It’s live and die here.

When you’re listening and you’re getting crushed on the radio, how do you respond to that?

BH: I laugh. I mean, I understand where they’re coming from, right? I get it. They want everybody to play hard and play right and win games. Winning takes care of everything. But I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job embodying that. I’m not saying I’m great at it or whatever, but I just love it. I love every part of it, the good, the bad, all of it. So, yeah, none of that really ticks me off or bothers me. I think I get more bothered by teammates getting it, compared to myself. I’d rather get absolutely crushed and smoked by everybody than my teammates. Like, leave them alone. Dig on Harper, that’s fine. So I think I get more mad if my teammates are getting it compared to me.

What’s your sales pitch to free agents when you try to sell them on Philly?

BH: I would go back to the fan base. I don’t think there’s a greater stadium in October to play in front of. Obviously, April to September can be tough. I mean, it is. It can be good. It can be bad. You’re playing well, and everybody’s on top of the world. You’re playing bad, and everybody’s down and the fans will let you know. It takes certain individuals to play in this market and in this stadium. When you get certain players that can do it, you can’t pass it up. You have to know, when you’re talking to somebody on the phone, ‘We want you, but can you handle it?’ Can I handle the market? Can I not handle the market? Will it chew me up and spit me out? It’s understanding that before I even get on the phone with them and even make this pitch.

What comes to mind when you think about Red October?

BH: Obviously the Game 5 [2022 NLCS] homer. It’s the coolest homer I’ve ever hit in my career. But just being able to be part of Red October and feel the buzz around the stadium and feel the buzz around the community.

Why do you love the Phanatic so much, and do your kids love him as much as you?

BH: Krew and [first daughter] Brooklyn do. [Second daughter] Kam can’t stand him. She’s just like, ‘Mmmm, not yet.’ She’s like that with the Easter Bunny and everybody. But I’ve loved the Phanatic even before I got here. Just all the stuff that he would do in front of the dugout before the game. Like, everything. Just his whole demeanor out there, the way he goes about it. I love all the little skits. The only thing I dislike about the Phanatic — and I need to talk to him about this — is he is late getting off the field every time on his four-wheeler. [laughs].

What would it mean to win a World Series in Philadelphia?

BH: It would be the greatest thing in my career I’ve ever done. We’ve gotten so close, obviously, but that’s the thing I’m chasing the most. It’s obviously something that I want to happen more than anything. So, just got to get it done.