LONDON — Bryce Harper knew what was expected of him. As part of its endeavor to expand the game’s international fan base, Major League Baseball is in London, and the Philadelphia Phillies superstar obliged with a home run celebration befitting the location.
In the fourth inning, Harper unleashed a solo drive that found its way into the Billy Bonds Stand, bringing the New York Mets to within one run. Harper channeled Jarrod Bowen as he raced into the dugout after rounding the bases in front of a boisterous crowd at London Stadium, the home pitch of West Ham United in the English Premier League, celebrating as though he had just scored a goal.
“It’s always on in our clubhouse,” Harper said the day before, and soon he showed that he is indeed no stranger to the Premier League. Harper entered into a slide on his knees, his arms outstretched, his chest puffed out. “Let’s go!” he screamed.
Bryce Harper hit the soccer celly 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6SMtXZz5aX
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 8, 2024
Hot mics later caught Harper yelling in the Phillies dugout: “I love soccer,” he proclaimed, the moment apparently getting the best of him.
Bryce Harper on his soccer celebration:
“Ohhhhh, I’ve been planning that for years!” 😂👏
📺: London Series on FOX pic.twitter.com/F8s4zGuO3M
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 8, 2024
Just a day before, Harper took care not to say soccer, the American word for what is known everywhere else as football.
“I don’t want to say soccer, I’ll feel bad,” he said. “What an incredible sport. My wife grew up playing it through college and was pretty good at it. So just being able to watch it when it’s on. The Premier League’s all over our TV in the States as well. So it’s pretty cool to watch Jack Grealish. I love his hair. He’s got a really good mop, man.”
Naturally, Harper’s mop received a lot of attention in the dugout, particularly after Philadelphia jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Phillies used the fourth inning to show even the uninformed fan which National League team is rising and which team has the ability to stink on two continents. The Phillies batted around in an attempt to chase Mets lefty Sean Manaea out the game after Harper hit his 15th home run of the year.
Harper also singled and doubled, but struck out in the seventh inning when he came to bat needing a triple for the cycle.
(Photo: Mary DeCicco / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
