Phillies Star Meets Moment, Earns Praise Despite USA’s Loss to Venezuela in WBC

Big-game Bryce Harper, who Philadelphia Phillies fans have come to know and love, was on display again Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic Final.

Despite the United States’ 3-2 loss, falling in second place for the second time in as many tournaments, Harper launched a massive, two-run, eighth-inning homer that tied the game against Venezuela and gave the US a shot.

Harper’s blast, and demeanor throughout the tournament, left an impact on his United States teammates. They spoke of Harper’s leadership, even though he went 4 for 24 (.167) in his first appearance in the WBC.

Bryce Harper Made a Pregame Speech Before the WBC Final

The United States spent nearly eight innings trying to find offense before Harper’s blast knotted the score. But players in the United States clubhouse spoke proudly of Harper’s pump-up speech before taking the field at loanDepot Park.

“Harp gave an unbelievable talk before the game, a little speech,” Team USA hitting coach Sean Casey said to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “He just was pumping us up about our country, everything you think a leader would say. It was a great message to us — let’s go out and make this happen.”

Despite the fact Harper was just one of the many stars on the roster — along with three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and budding faces of the game like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Gunnar Henderson and others — the two-time NL MVP’s words landed with his teammates.

“He’s got a very nice, calming presence when he decides to speak,” Crow-Armstrong told Rosenthal. “(His talk) was just about making this our game. ‘We’ve done some really cool stuff. Fall back on that tonight. Just remember our style of baseball is what we need to go play.’

“I love that he decided to get up. It was a while before the game, but he kind of picked the perfect time when everybody was in there.”

Bryce Harper Delivered a Massive Home Run vs Venezuela

Harper was the 2022 National League Championship Series MVP. His postseason OPS as a member of the Phillies is 1.090, and he has 12 playoff home runs in a Phillies uniform.

So Philadelphia fans who were rooting for the United States had to know something big was coming. Harper entered his final at-bat of the tournament with five hits in 29 plate appearances and had not homered.

Yet, in a 2-0 game and as the tying run Harper launched a 1-0 changeup 432 feet for another dramatic home run that knotted the score and gave the Americans new life.

“What a moment,” Harper said, according to Rosenthal. “Obviously, I love the opportunity. I’m super grateful for it. We tied it up right there, and had a really good chance to win that game.”

Despite Harper’s heroics, the ending must have felt all too familiar to Harper. Garrett Whitlock allowed a run in the ninth, and the US could not muster anything against Venezuela closer Daniel Palencia, leaving the superstar a runner-up yet again.

“Obviously, I want to win, no matter what,” Harper said. “That’s what I play for, to win championships, to win gold medals, things like that. But in that moment, it’s not about me. It’s about us and our game.

“They had a great tournament. I just wanted to let them know, congratulations. They’re the best team in the world.”

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