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Phillies’ Bryce Harper responds to Arcia comments with legendary Game 3 performance

Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of Game 3 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Revenge is a dish best served with towering home runs.

A baserunning blunder by Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper helped lead to the chaotic game-ending double play that handed the Atlanta Braves Game 2 of the NLDS. Afterwards, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia — according to Jake Mintz of FOX Sports — repeatedly poked fun at Harper, with media present, in Atlanta’s clubhouse.

“While Riley’s blast flipped the score, Harris’ outrageous snag and Harper’s consequent blunder was the talk of Atlanta’s locker room after the game. Kevin Pillar’s young son, sporting a custom ‘Money Mike’ headband, waddled over to his favorite center fielder for a fist bump. Third-string catcher Chadwick Tromp strutted by Harris’ locker offering a congratulatory ‘Mike is him!’ All while Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia cackled emphatically about Harper’s misfortune, bellowing ‘ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper,’ repeatedly as reporters circled the room.”

In the time between those comments going viral Tuesday morning and Game 3 of the NLDS Wednesday evening in Philadelphia, Harper didn’t speak with the media. While Phillies manager Rob Thomson admitted that there was “a lot of talk of the Arcia thing” among the players in the clubhouse Wednesday, outfielder Brandon Marsh downplayed it during his meeting with the media before the game.

“We don’t really pay that too much mind,” Marsh said when asked about the comments. “We know it’s just good banter. It’s two just NL East teams going at it. So we’re just ready to get out there tonight.”

What history will remember, though, is that Arcia chose to take a dig at Harper, knowing media was present, on a repeated basis after Game 2. And Harper responded by cackling emphatically about the misfortune of the Braves in Game 3, metaphorically speaking.

When Harper stepped to the plate in the bottom of the third inning to face Bryce Elder, the Phillies had already tied the game at one thanks to a Nick Castellanos home run to lead off the frame. They nearly took a 2-1 lead over the Braves on the batter before, as Turner hit a ball in between shortstop and third base, which would have scored Brandon Marsh from second base if not for a diving stop by Arcia.

That made what came next more poetic, though.

After Arcia’s diving play saved a run for the Braves, Harper rendered the stop a moot point. On the fourth pitch of his second at-bat of the day, Harper hit a titanic home run into the second deck in right field. It traveled 408 feet and was of the three-run variety, electrifying a Citizens Bank Park crowd that definitely had some nervous energy early on Wednesday evening:

Harper didn’t have words for Arcia as he rounded the bases, but he made his presence felt nonetheless:

For good measure, Harper homered a second time in his next at-bat, a shot to center field off former Phillie Brad Hand. It was, ironically, just out of the reach of center fielder Michael Harris II, who had started the incredible double play that ended Game 2:

After the Phillies wrapped up their 10-2 win over the Braves, Harper was expansive on a variety of topics, including Arcia’s comments.

“It’s a super competitive game that we play, and you know, from both sides of the ball. And I enjoy commentary and things,” Harper said. “And like I said, you know, I listen to WIP, and you hear a lot of stuff on there as well at times. And I just enjoy it.

“It’s a reason why we play this game. And there’s nothing like it. Everybody’s competitive that we play against, and I just really enjoy those moments and the opportunity to play this game and have those moments.”

So did he get any motivation out of hearing about what Arcia had to say?

“I mean, anytime anybody says something, right? I mean that’s what it’s all about,” Harper said.

As far as the stare-down, Harper said he “would never” have said anything to Arcia in the midst of the game. But yeah, it wasn’t a coincidence that he happened to look in the shortstop’s direction as he rounded second base.

“Yeah, I mean I stared right at him,” Harper said.

Harper was made aware of the comments by some of his teammates, who had a simple follow-up question for him after informing him of what Arcia said.

“They just kind of told me, and they looked at me, and they were like, what are you going to do?”

What he did was respond by having one of the most iconic postseason performances in the history of Philadelphia sports, a list that he has an increasing amount of entries on.