Harper on Phillies' chemistry: 'Our whole team has a vibe'

October 14th, 2023

joined ESPN's Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon after the Phillies’ 3-1 National League Division Series-clinching win on Thursday night.

The Phillies superstar touched on his team’s incredible chemistry, which was on full display during their postgame celebration after their defeat of the Braves during the NLDS.

“Our whole team has a vibe,” Harper said. “Every single guy in our clubhouse is meant to play in Philly. And it's crazy to say that because Philly is such an insane place to play. We have some of the craziest fans in the world. They'll let you know when you're playing bad, but they let you know when you're playing well also. That's the best part about our team.”

Harper has been his usual clutch self throughout Philadelphia’s playoff run, hitting .368 with three home runs this postseason, including a two-dinger, four-RBI performance during a Game 3 win against Atlanta on Wednesday.

The two-time NL MVP said the hype surrounding him after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Nationals in the 2010 MLB Draft at just 17 years old and the pressures of raising a family helped prepare him for those big playoff moments.

“Now all this? This is cake. This is what it's all about,” Harper told McAfee. “This is the fun part of that. Going out there and playing in front of 45,000 people and harnessing that energy into hitting a baseball.

“Letting the game come to me and not worrying about anything else, not worried about the outside or the inside, just worried about what I can control. … The pressure is all behind me. This is what I love to do.”