After getting a late start to the 2023 season, Phillies slugger Bryce Harper appears to be making up for lost time.
That goes for his scorching bat—the two-time MVP has slashed .361/.439/.611 through his first nine games—and his trademark fiery passion for the game. He demonstrated the latter in Philadelphia’s 4-0 loss to the Rockies on Sunday afternoon.
After hurling a scoreless, hitless seventh inning of relief for Colorado, pitcher Jake Bird fixed his eyes on the Phillies’ dugout. He clapped his glove and nodded, drawing the ire of Harper, who charged out of the dugout as Bird egged him on.
Harper was going at it with Rockies pitcher Jake Bird after Bird clapped his glove at him pic.twitter.com/ZU7bpJU8kn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 14, 2023
Seemingly looking to engage Bird, Harper was stopped and restrained by Rockies catcher Elías Diaz.
Later, lip-readers suggested Harper called Colorado “a loser f—ing organization” during the confrontation.
Bryce Harper to the Rockies: "You're a loser fucking organization. Every single one of you" https://t.co/x7EKvXjY8i pic.twitter.com/TJT39HEP2v
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) May 14, 2023
After cooler heads prevailed, the Rockies went on to finish off their shutout of Philadelphia—a team struggling to find its footing a year after winning the National League pennant—to improve to 17-24 on the year. The Phillies dropped to 20-20.
