Perhaps the highlight of Day 1 of the MLB postseason came from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, whose daring baserunning helped the Phillies win Game 1 of their Wild Card series against the Marlins.
With the Phillies already leading 3–1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Harper blew through a stop sign from third base coach Dusty Wathan on a double hit by Nick Castellanos. Harper, with his helmet off and hair flying, scored with relative ease despite having been held up by Wathan, a play that electrified the raucous Phillies crowd and added an insurance run for the Philadelphia pitching staff.
Here’s a look at the play:
The only acceptable time to run a stop sign pic.twitter.com/lrjQFg50gZ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 4, 2023
For what it’s worth, Harper said postgame that it wasn’t his intention to ignore Wathan.
“Once I got halfway to third, I didn’t really pick Dusty up so that was my fault on that,” Harper said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Usually, when I see him I’m like ‘OK. I have to stop.’”
Regardless of whether he was ignoring a sign or not, fans loved Harper’s play and the fire he showed afterwards.
If Bryce Harper wins a championship he’s gonna be the greatest athlete in Philadelphia history https://t.co/MOuL7RAWSD
— No-No Billy (@BillyElliott23) October 4, 2023
Bryce ignoring Wathan on his dash to home could be an iconic moment in this series. https://t.co/7KqN6UypCY
— Paul Kurtz (@kurtzpaul) October 4, 2023
harper basically going YELLOW LIGHT and hitting the gas is the most philly thing. https://t.co/0C57NO7eGb
— julie ✨ (@magicallyjulie) October 4, 2023
I could run through a wall after watching Harper. Gives 110% every single night. We are so lucky to have him https://t.co/mlZwwl5unY
— Tom Wendell (@tomwendell) October 4, 2023
Bryce Harper running a stop sign like thousands of Philly drivers earlier in the day https://t.co/DusbNQJf8S
— Arthur Tarley (@arthurtarley) October 4, 2023
Bryce Harper known for tossing helmets https://t.co/6fEq3sXDOm
— keiv (@keiva_NYG) October 4, 2023
Bryce rounds the bases so electric and I love the helmet falling off every time he goes 1st to home. https://t.co/3KRe3Mu13o
— Alex L (90-72) (@Cornrelish1600) October 4, 2023
