Phillies news and rumors 6/19: The special meaning behind Bryce Harper’s spikes, the latest on Paul Goldschmidt’s availability at trade deadline

There was a lot of speculation online this weekend regarding the meaning behind the tanish/gold/yellow cleats Bryce Harper wore during the series against the A’s.

Some believed that Harper wore yellow to show support for A’s fans on the brink of losing their team to Las Vegas. While Harper is clearly on the side of long-suffering A’s fans, it’s a little silly to think that he would wear an opposing team’s colors, even if he did like the A’s when he was younger.

Some thought Harper was rocking the gold spikes in honor of his Vegas Golden Knights, who won their first Stanley Cup on Tuesday.

It turns out that there is a Vegas connection to Harper’s cleats, but it’s not an obvious one.

The cleats, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, were a Father’s Day weekend tribute to his dad Ron Harper, a longtime union ironworker who tied rebar to form the foundation of many of Las Vegas’ casino resorts. They were made to mimic a construction boot.

If you follow Harper close enough, you know how much pride he takes in his blue-collar roots and the work ethic both his parents instilled in him to get him to where he is now. He turned that love into a stylish homage.

Harper did not play in Sunday’s win against the A’s. The Phillies reportedly wanted to give him back-to-back days off ahead of the six-game homestand against the Braves and Mets.

Cardinals say they’re not trading Goldschmidt

Bob Nightengale of USA Today had an interesting note in his latest column on the Cardinal’s willingness to trade Paul Goldschmidt at the deadline.

We previously examined Goldschmidt as a possible fit for the Phillies at the deadline.

No matter how ugly the Cardinals’ season gets, already sinking to the depths last seen since 1997, they privately say they are not trading All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt or All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

It’s a waste of time to even try.

Now, if you’re interested in starters Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, and relievers like Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals will be all ears.

Bob Nightengale on who the Cardinals may want to sell at the trade deadline.

Must Read (Or Watch) Phillies Content

• Speaking of Nightengale, he wrote an excellent column on Trea Turner’s turnaround and how the team’s big free agent stars grew more comfortable with playing in Philly.
• Here’s a take: The Phillies shouldn’t even bother trading for a fifth starter at the deadline.
• Our own Tim Kelly went on Sportsradio 94 WIP this weekend to discuss the latest storylines surrounding the Phillies.
• Nathan Ackerman, who covered the A’s series for us in Oakland, wrote a great story on a conversation between reporters and Rob Thomson on the A’s relocation situation.
• Here’s why opposing fans cheered “let’s go Harper” this weekend.
• Liam Castellanos is the coolest kid ever:

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