The Philadelphia Phillies faced off against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, and ahead of the game, a big change was made by Phillies slugger Bryce Harper.
Harper has been in the midst of a brutal stretch of play, failing to get a hit in the month of September thus far, going 0-16 in the month ahead of Wednesday’s game.
This may have prompted Harper to make a chance to his appearance, as he decided to shave his beard for Tuesday’s game.
A new look. pic.twitter.com/fpxqN5i5gZ
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 5, 2023
It obviously could be a coincidence that he decided to shave his beard amidst his cold stretch. But Harper has largely sported facial hair for the majority of his career, and fans believe that this decision to shave was a direct result of his poor performance as of late.
Bryce Harper went clean shaven to try to break his 0-for-16 slump
(via @ToddZolecki) pic.twitter.com/6l9JDyNXWh
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 5, 2023
Bryce Harper shaved his beard to try and break out of his 0-for-16 slump 😂 pic.twitter.com/0d6XhLlKog
— The Game Day MLB (@TheGameDayMLB) September 6, 2023
Bryce Harper hasn’t had a hit in his last 16 at-bats. He shaved his beard.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) September 5, 2023
Whatever the reasoning, most fans resoundingly were against his new look…
BRYCE HARPER LOOKS NAKED WITHOUT HIS BEARD
I HAVE MANY MIXED FEELINGS pic.twitter.com/A4r18w5kPp
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) September 5, 2023
Bryce Harper without a beard is terrifying lmfao
— Soup Girl (@ilivedb1tch) September 6, 2023
It’s weird seeing Bryce Harper without a beard
— Kevin B Panetta (@PanettaSexyTime) September 6, 2023
Players each have their own superstitions that they believe will help fix their play in the middle of a slump. Unfortunately for Harper, the short-term results of his new look were not very promising.
Harper’s hitless streak continued against the Padres on Tuesday night, going 0-3 with a walk.
And even worse, the Phillies offense has perhaps their worst game of the season, recording only three hits as a team while getting shutout in an ugly 8-0 loss.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.