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Bryce Harper, the capeless hero who led the Phillies to the World Series

Bryce Harper’s performance with Philadelphia has improved since joining the team, becoming National League MVP and now leading them to the World Series.

Gustavo García
Gustavo García
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Bryce Harper’s performance with Philadelphia has improved since joining the team, becoming National League MVP and now leading them to the World Series.
Mike EhrmannAFP

In February 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies gave Bryce Harper a 13-year, $330 million contract to leave the Washington Nationals; and now, in 2022, the player has taken the team to its first World Series since 2009.

The outfielder’s performance with the Philadelphia franchise has improved since he was first acquired. His first year was difficult despite having 149 hits and 35 home runs because he had a batting average of .260. The Phillies finished fourth in the NL East with a record of 81-81 and missed the playoffs.

The covid-19-shortened 2020 season wasn’t good for either Philadelphia or Harper. The Phillies lost 28 of 60 games as the outfielder improved to .268 and was the most walked player with 49 walks against.

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Bryce takes off in 2021

Harper’s redemption came in 2021 when he was named National League Most Valuable Player and received the second silver bat of his career.

The outfielder led Major League Baseball with a .615 slugging percentage after registering 151 hits, including 42 doubles and 35 home runs for 300 total bases in 488 visits to the batter’s box.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs the bases following a two run home run against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs the bases following a two run home run against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning in game five of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFPMike EhrmannAFP

In 2022, Harper was limited due to injuries to his elbow, forearm, and thumb, which led him to play just 99 games, 91 of them as a designated hitter and the rest as a right fielder. Despite physical handicaps, the six-time All-Star posted .286/.364/.514 batting averages after having 106 hits, driving in 65 runs and suffering 87 strikeouts in 370 at bats.

Playoffs 2022

Harper was a deserving winner of the NLCS MVP as he hit a two-run home run to get ahead in Game 5 against the San Diego Padres. The outfielder has played in all 11 Phillies games during the 2022 playoffs and is batting .419 after going 18-for-43 with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

Looking ahead to the start of the World Series, Harper is considered by the MLB website to be the best player in the two teams.