The FOX Presentation Of Bryce Harper's World Series Game 3 Home Run Was Perfect Television

Jake Marsh11/02/2022 6:40 PM

Ray Stubblebine. Shutterstock Images.

It was an absolute party in Philadelphia last night. The Phillies crushed the Astros, 7-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the 2022 World Series. Philadelphia hit five home runs in the game, which tied a World Series record. Bryce Harper got things started in the first inning with a 2-run smash, and the presentation of his home run was simply a fantastic production by the MLB on FOX crew. From the sights and sounds of that minute and a half, let's break down what made this play so special…

Step 1 - The FOX broadcast synching up the PA announcer at Citizens Bank Park to announce that Bryce Harper is coming to the plate automatically elevates the moment.

Step 2 - John Smoltz comes out of the gate and says, "I'll be kind of shocked if Bryce is not coming to the plate and sitting on a breaking ball. At some point, McCullers has to throw him fastballs to keep him honest. But Bryce is so good against off-speed, and we know he likes to swing early and swing big. If he stays on with breaking ball and gets to one in the middle of the plate, loud noise."

TLDR: If Lance McCullers throws a breaking ball, there is a very good chance that Bryce Harper hits the ball very, very far.

Step 3 - Joe Davis (play-by-play) gives us a stat that backs up Smoltz's claim, saying, "And you mentioned, at some point he's got to throw him a fastball, he doesn't want to. He's only thrown one fastball to a left-hander all postseason. Does he change that up against this guy here?"

Step 4 - The Call. "IT'S DRILLED! RIGHT CENTER FIELD! LIGHTNING STRIKES! 2-0 PHILS!" And then as all great play-by-play broadcasters do in the big moments, Davis lays out. Perfection.

Step 5 - The pictures. Shoutout to the director and everyone else in the production truck here. They captured gold in a span of 20 seconds. First up, this father and son enjoying the moment and going crazy…