![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2024/04/bryce-.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Philadelphia Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper had to poke a little fun at himself on Tuesday night after throwing the ball around the horn with a runner on base.
While he was making a play in the outfield as his Phillies played the Cincinnati Reds, Harper threw the ball to first base to get the Cincinnati runner out instead of throwing it to third, where a baserunner was headed there from second.
In this situation, the outfielder wants to throw the ball to get the player out who is closest to making it home and let the batter who just got the hit make it to first since he’s further away from scoring.
Well, Harper threw it in the wrong direction, netting the out but letting the Reds player get closer to a possible run. The Phillies got an out on the next at-bat, so it was all water under the bridge.
However, Harper made fun of himself a little when asked about the play by the game’s broadcasters.
For anyone who didn't see it, this is the play. https://t.co/T5IqVUvQrx pic.twitter.com/hoojOqZ3Ge
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 3, 2024
Harper is one of the game’s best players, but he’s also human and clearly has an amicable sense of humor about moments like this.
While this would’ve been incredibly costly in, say, a playoff elimination game, it’s just a funny whoops this early in the season. Good for Harper for being able to make light of a moment that you don’t see every day.