Bryce Harper's "hair on fire, running into walls, jumping over camera wells" persona proves Phillies star's passion for game, says Rhys Hoskins
On Monday, MLB insider Chris Rose discussed superstar Bryce Harper's passion for baseball with Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins and Harper were teammates for the Philadelphia Phillies before Hoskins joined the Brewers in 2024.
Both Hokins and Harper's teams have had successful 2024 seasons. The Phillies won their division, the NL East, while the Brewers comfortably secured the NL Central title.
On September 30's edition of "The Chris Rose Rotation," Hoskins talked about Harper's qualities that set him apart from others.
"Just the fire that this guy plays the game with, between the lines every single day," Hoskins said. "A certain switch gets flipped on and he doesn't want to lose. He just kinda decides, which is amazing. I think it's a huge part of why he's been as succesful as he has, he holds himself to a standard that a lot of us can't really fathom." [33:55]
"He's 12-13 years in [to his MLB career], and seemingly is playing the same way he did as a 20 year old, hair on fire, jumping into walls, jumping over camera wells, because he loves the game, and absolutely loves winning." Hoskins added [34:44]
Bryce Harper's sting from "seeing Nats win in 2019" will vanish if Phillies win in 2024, per ex-Twins slugger
Always touted as being the "next big thing" in his years growing up, one can say that Bryce Harper has lived up to the hype. However, there is still one major missing piece in his decorated career: a World Series title.
His former team, the Washington Nationals, won the title in 2019, right after Harper signed with the Phillies.
Harper did make it to the World Series with the Phillies in 2022, but the title yet again escaped his grasp as his team came up short against the Houston Astros.
On September 24's edition of "Baseball Today," ex-Minnesota Twins hitter Trevor Plouffe talked about how finally getting his hands on the trophy in 2024 will help Bryce Harper shake off the pain of nearly missing out on the title in the past.
"There's still gotta be that feeling in him, you leave one team and then they win the World Series without you. Seeing the Nationals win the World Series in 2019 still has to sting for him, if he goes and wins one, which I believe he will with the Phillies, that sting will go away," Plouffe said [3:54]
After winning the division title for the first time in 11 years, Phillies fans will be hoping that is a sign of things to come as Bryce Harper seeks to bring the Commissioner's Trophy back to the city for the first time since 2008.