Sep 25, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader (2) reacts as he runs off the field after a victory against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA - When Harrison Bader arrived in Philadelphia, he looked like a 90s throwback. Tight, elastic-hemmed, pants. A mullet. And enough crop tops in his locker to wear one every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
It didn't take long for some of his teammates to start to pick up on the Bader fashion statement.
Did he nudge them to join him in being retro chic?
"I would never nudge another grown man to wear a crop top," Bader said.
Harrison Bader to @destiny_lugardo: “I would never nudge another grown man to wear a crop top.”😂
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/E3IJ0DpqwF
Fair, but the fact that his teammates are copying his style, or are embracing his sayings - like, "What a gift" and "Bang, Bang!" - shows the impact he has had in his two short months with the team.
And as infectious as his swagger and personality have been in the clubhouse, his impact on the lineup has been even greater.
In 50 games with the Phillies, Bader batted everywhere in the lineup except second or third, both usually reserved for Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
And while most of the time he lit leadoff, filling in for Trea Turner while he was injured, now that Turner is back, the assumption was that he would slot in to the No. 6 spot in the lineup.
Except, that's not what Rob Thomson decided to do.
Bader is batting eighth in Game 1, while J.T. Realmuto is the righty in the No. 6 spot.
"I like him there because I think he can get on base in a number of different ways," Thomson said. "He can turn that lineup over for Trea, Schwarber and Harper. ... He gives us a lot of length in the lineup."
The idea is having Bader and Stott as on-base types at the bottom of the lineup will create opportunities for the Phillies to have runners on base when the big bats at the top of the lineup come to the plate.
Bader only batted eighth five times for the Phillies, but was 6-for-17 (.353) with a double and a triple. He also walked once, bringing his total OPS to .918.
It may be a small sample size, but Bader has the right mindset for how to approach being in that spot in the lineup - or any for that matter - in the postseason.
Prior to his first postseason game as a Phillie, Harrison Bader talked about the fans’ impact:
“The fans play a large role in what makes this place so special. I learned that very quickly.”
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/KZl0FXT1q9
"You can't really play hero ball," Bader said. "I think keeping it super simple, taking your single, having a good at bat and passing the baton - these little things will ultimately create a favorable result."
The Phillies are banking on that to help them score runs against the Dodgers, which will be a necessity if they are to win this series. The Phillies can't just rest on the shoulders of their pitching, for as good as it is, Los Angeles is going to score. The Phillies just have to land a few more haymakers.
And deepening the lineup is the way to do it.
