The Phillies Will Once Again Have A Best Slugging 1st Baseman In Baseball This Year, And His Name Is Bryce Harper
Rob Tringali. Getty Images.You remember when the Phillies were at their absolute best? When they were kicking the shit out of the NL East year after year after year after year? When they won the only World Series in most of our lifetimes?
When they had the most lethal first baseman in baseball. When they had the Big Piece leading the way.
Nick Laham. Getty Images.2006 NL MVP. 2006 Silver Slugger Award winner. A 2008 World Series Champion. 2x MLB home run leader. 3x MLB RBI leader. When Ryan Howard was on first, the Phillies would rip team's dicks off and shove them down their throats.
Now the past few years with Rhys Hoskins have been fine, don't get me wrong. I still love Rhys a lot more than I feel like most folks do. He was obviously a massive piece of that run to the World Series last year but it's just…well…he's not Ryan Howard. He's not an MVP. He's not the baddest dude on every field he walks on.
But this guy is.
The Athletic -- A few days ago, Bryce Harper stepped into Rob Thomson’s office at Citizens Bank Park. He had come to the Phillies with an idea earlier this month…He wanted to learn how to play first base.
…This week, the Phillies initiated the plan. They are preparing Harper to play first base later this season. This does not affect his timetable to return to the Phillies’ lineup — he will still return as the designated hitter because he will be cleared to hit in games before he is cleared to throw. But if Harper takes to the new position, the Phillies think it could allow him to return to the field sooner than if he played right field.
First of all, Bryce Harper is a dog. Dude is willing to learn a completely new position just so he can get back on the field quicker. The man will do whatever it takes to help his team get back to the World Series. That's a man who realizes the name on the front of the jersey means a helluva lot more than the one on the back.
Second of all, the Phillies need this. Alec Bohm is a stud but it's unfair to make him keep having to switch back and forth between 1st and 3rd. Kody Clemens seems like a decent guy, but he's not sending opposing pitchers into the shadow realm. Who knows what the deal is with Darick Hall. And obviously Rhys Hoskins is done until at least October, and even that seems like a stretch. The Phillies need to have a dude who can launch a ball to the Italian Market from home plate playing 1st. And now they'll have their guy again.
P.S. -- Hoagiefest will be here before you know it.