Harper headlines Top 10 Phillies moments of '19

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies entered 2019 with postseason expectations, but they fell short following a promising first two months of the season. Maybe next year -- but the Phils still had their moments, many of them thanks to Bryce Harper. Here is a look back at the top 10 moments of Philadelphia’s season:

1. Harper crushes walk-off grand slam
Aug. 15 vs. Cubs
This was why the Phillies signed Harper to that record-breaking contract. He crushed a towering walk-off grand slam into the second deck in right field to complete a sweep of the Cubs. Next season: more moments like this that carry the Phils to the postseason.

2. Harper's bat flip
April 2 at Nats
Harper figured Nationals fans would boo him upon his return to D.C. They did. But he enjoyed some payback when he crushed a home run in his first game at Nationals Park as a visiting player. He capped the shot with an epic helicoptering bat flip.

3. Segura's walk-off HR secures sweep
June 27 vs. Mets
Jean Segura ripped a walk-off three-run homer against Mets closer Edwin Diaz in a 6-3 win to sweep New York at Citizens Bank Park. Segura knew Diaz well. They were teammates together in Seattle.

4. Harper's 200th HR and 1,000th hit
July 3 at Braves
Harper bundled a couple of milestone hits into one moment against the Braves at SunTrust Park, crushing the 200th homer and 1,000th hit of his career with a shot to left-center field. The Phillies hope he hits about 300 more homers or so before all is said and done.

5. Haseley robs a homer
Sept. 4 at Reds
It remains to be seen how much Adam Haseley will play in 2020, but he showed flashes of brilliance defensively, including this catch in Cincinnati. He robbed Freddy Galvis of a home run, then waited a few seconds before he showed the ball.

6. Harper throws out Robles at 3rd base
July 13 vs. Nats
Remember last winter when people wondered if Harper could play decent enough defense to warrant a record-breaking contract? Well, he made plenty of throws like this in 2019. Maybe not from the warning track in right-center field like this one, but Harper more than pulled his weight defensively. In fact, he was a finalist for a Gold Glove.

7. Rodríguez's walk-off HR
Aug. 26 vs. Padres
This might be the most unusual walk-off homer in recent memory for the Phillies. Not because Sean Rodríguez hit it, but because Rodríguez took the opportunity postgame to criticize Philadelphia fans, calling them “entitled” for booing him and his teammates.

8. Franco's walk-off HR
July 14 vs. Nats
Maikel Franco picked the perfect time for the 100th homer of his career, crushing a walk-off homer against the Nationals. If Franco does not return in 2020, he at least provided a few final highlights in a Phillies uniform.

9. Harper hits first HR with Phillies
March 30 vs. Braves
Harper crushed his first career homer with the Phillies into the second deck in right field in an 8-6 victory over the Braves. He got his first curtain call, too. This is what Phils fans came to see when they came to Citizens Bank Park this season. Harper hit 35 homers in 2019.

10. Harper salutes Phillies fans in right field in debut
March 28 vs. Braves
Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in February, creating a buzz not felt in Philadelphia since Cliff Lee rejoined the Phillies in 2011 to form one of the greatest rotations in baseball history. Harper jogged out to right field before the top of the first inning on Opening Day, removed his cap, bowed to the fans in right field and pumped his fist a couple times. He donned green Phillies Phanatic cleats, too.

A new era had begun.