FLUSHING, NY — Whether this era produces a World Series or not, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber have entrenched themselves not only at the top of the Philadelphia Phillies’ all-time postseason home run leaderboard, but Major League Baseball’s.
Schwarber led off Game 1 of the NLDS — an eventual 6-2 loss to the New York Mets — with a home run, setting a new Phillies’ franchise mark with 12 career postseason home runs in red pinstripes.
Harper’s two-run home run was the turning point in an instant-classic Game 2 win, and pulled him even with Schwarber for the franchise record for playoff home runs.
Both moved past the previous Phillies record holder of Jayson Werth, who hit 11 postseason home runs with the team.
Of course, Harper and Schwarber both had relatively extensive postseason resumes before coming to the Phillies, and their place on the all-time postseason home run leaderboard reflects that.
Harper now has 17 career postseason home runs between the Phillies and Washington Nationals, the same amount as Hall of Famers David Ortiz and Jim Thome. Only 13 players in MLB history have hit more home runs than Harper has in the playoffs. With one more home run, he’ll pull even with Nelson Cruz, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Carlos Correa, all of whom have 18.
Meanwhile, Schwarber has 21 career postseason home runs between the Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. His blast on Saturday moved him out of a tie with Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who had 20. No left-handed hitter in postseason history has more homers than Schwarber. Only Manny Ramirez (29), Jose Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22) are above him on the all-time leaderboard.
If the Phillies go on a third consecutive deep postseason run — perhaps one that ends in a parade this time — both Harper and Schwarber will likely continue to climb the list of October longball immortality.
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