Bryce Harper, the Phillies’ powerhouse, isn’t just a slugger on the diamond; he’s also got some serious soccer spirit. When in London, where football reigns supreme, Harper knew exactly how to celebrate his home run in style.
With a crack of his bat, Harper sent a missile off Sean Manaea, launching the ball into the stratosphere at a blistering 107.2 mph. It was a no-doubt-about-it blast, tying the game against the Mets at one run apiece.
Now, most players have their go-to celebrations for those jaw-dropping homers, but not Harper. Nope, he decided to switch things up for the international showdown. After crossing home plate, he took a cue from the soccer stars and executed a perfect slide toward the dugout, just like those epic goal celebrations seen on the football pitch.
As he basked in the cheers and high-fives from his teammates, Harper couldn’t help but declare his newfound love for soccer. “I love soccer. I love soccer,” he exclaimed, embracing the moment with infectious enthusiasm.
And Harper’s not just paying lip service to the beautiful game. With his wife, Kayla Varner Harper, being a former collegiate soccer standout at BYU and Ohio State, the sport runs deep in their household.
Playing in the iconic London Stadium, home to West Ham United FC, added an extra layer of authenticity to Harper’s homage to soccer. After all, what better place to channel that football spirit than in the heart of one of the world’s soccer capitals?
In the end, Harper’s playful nod to soccer set the tone for the Phillies’ dominant 7-2 victory over their NL East rivals, the Mets, in the opening game of the thrilling London Series. With Harper leading the charge, it’s safe to say that the Phillies brought some major league excitement to the football-crazed fans across the pond.
