Jul 9, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) walks off the field following his team’s 13-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images D. Ross Cameron
One thing you learn from covering Bryce Harper is that he doesn't like to talk about himself.
If you ask him how he feels when he's just returned from an injury, he'll say he feels good.
If you ask him to reflect on his personal success when he's in the midst of a hot streak, he'll either give you a short answer or redirect it to talking about the team.
Harper is very willing to talk about his teammates or the game as a whole, recognizing that part of what comes with signing a $330 million contract is a responsibility to be one of the public faces of the team. He just doesn't want to talk about himself.
With that said, sometimes you need to pop out and show people.
Harper broke out of what had been an ice-cold stretch since he returned from right wrist inflammation in a 13-0 win over the San Francisco Giants Wednesday afternoon, delivering four extra-base hits, including a home run off of future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander:
🎶I left my Harp in San Francisco🎶
(via @TalkinBaseball_)pic.twitter.com/8Sd590XF6e
Afterwards, Harper, uncharacteristically, tooted his own horn.
"I'm really good," Harper said. "I mean, I really am. I don't wanna put that out there and [have] everybody go, 'Oh, what's he talking about?' But I know when I'm going well, I'm one of the best in baseball.
"Like I said, I'm healthy, I'm strong, I feel great. It's just putting myself into plus counts. I haven't done that, you guys have seen that. I feel stronger than ever. I feel like today, being able to go oppo and do those things, anywhere else I might have three homers, right? Those are things you think about. And I hate talking about individual and all that kind of stuff, you guys know that. But today it just kinda like, if I get into good counts and don't swing at crap away or in or anything else, then I'll be right where I need to be."
When you're not normally someone who likes to talk about themselves, it carries much more weight in the rare instances when you do.
Obviously, if Harper goes on a tear it would be a very welcome development for the Phillies, who have been overly reliant on Kyle Schwarber in the power department this year. MVP-level Harper would change the complexion of this lineup. The Phillies got a reminder of that Wednesday afternoon.
