Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper celebrated his 31st birthday in perhaps the coolest way possible, playing in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Harper sure made it a day to remember in his first at-bat of the game on Monday night.
The Phillies couldn’t have gotten off to a faster start offensively, as leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber took the first pitch of the game deep for a solo home run to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.
YOU'RE JOKING pic.twitter.com/XNDCbcJ1e4
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 17, 2023
Harper came up to bat later in the inning and gave himself one heck of a birthday present, also taking Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen deep for the second home run of the inning.
Bryce Harper crushed a birthday blast! ⚾️💣🎂 #NLCS pic.twitter.com/dHoPE6h88L
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 17, 2023
As Harper was rounding the bases after his birthday blast, he put up a three and a one to signify his age (31), and “blew out the candles”.
"I wish that I can go deep in the #NLCS!" 🎂 pic.twitter.com/HIZPqqlr0O
— MLB (@MLB) October 17, 2023
Fans took notice of Harper’s awesome moment and praised him on social media for the home run.
Birthday Boy Bryce Harper. Born For October @BarstoolPhilly pic.twitter.com/xBNw6FK7DI
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 17, 2023
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE HARPER
pic.twitter.com/ezrQBzOlXD— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) October 17, 2023
Bryce Harper blew out the candles https://t.co/i0TFyyQWOY pic.twitter.com/HSfY8GwyuZ
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) October 17, 2023
BRYCE HARPER IS ON A DIFFERENT PLANET RIGHT NOW
The Phillies hit 2 home runs in the first 5 pitches tonight 🤯pic.twitter.com/pj8DnVx1FY
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 17, 2023
Bryce Harper is always a man for the big moments!
He has 10 homers in these last two playoffs with the Phillies. That is the most in baseball
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 17, 2023
This home run from Harper continues what has been a terrific 2023 postseason for him. He came into the game with three home runs in six postseason games this year.
He also finds himself in some rare company with this home run. Harper is just the fourth player to hit a postseason home run on their birthday.
31-year-old Bryce Harper is the 4th player in MLB postseason history to homer on his birthday.
He joins Willie Aikens, Kolten Wong, and Evan Longoria, who is the starting third baseman for Arizona tonight. pic.twitter.com/1fiQctjDej
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 17, 2023
It’s obviously a big moment in Game 1 for the Phillies, but it also has to be one of the coolest moments in the tremendous career of Bryce Harper to celebrate his birthday with an impactful home run when it matters most.
