Candis R. McLean
Bryce Harper is officially a Philadelphia Phillie. The six-time MLB All-Star and former NL MVP was introduced this weekend after the news of his signing created a firestorm through newsrooms and fanbases across the nation. It was a long and hard process over the past few months. Plenty of fans and media members added fuel to the fire with their tweets of speculations, predictions, and emotional pleas. The best of the bunch chronicling the exhausting courting of the star to Philadelphia should not be ignored. Here are some of the best reactions from the various stages in the legend of Bryce Harper.
Bargaining and Conspiracies
Plenty of fans took to humor, conspiracies, signs, and sightings to try to figure out who’s side fortune was on to land Harper.
Millions and millions of Phillies fans have spoken.
John Middleton’s bank account has (hopefully) spoken.
Zach Ertz has spoken.
Now Brian Dawkins has spoken.
This is what we want @Bharper3407… pic.twitter.com/msjIc5x7bV
— Eagles Fan Problems (@EagleFanProbs) February 20, 2019
Harper wore number 34
3 + 4 = 7
Eagles beat the Vikings 38-7
Bryce Harper to the Phillies Confirmed pic.twitter.com/fUkNCMeluF
— Justin Lever ?? (@JustinLever2) February 22, 2019
John Middleton going to Bryce Harper’s home like pic.twitter.com/e84qkJN9Ko
— Shane Sullivan (@shanesull_21) February 23, 2019
Holy crap
Bryce Harper just walked into Butcher and Singer with 3 other guys in suits@Phillies #Phillies
I’m here eating of you don’t believe me pic.twitter.com/7uSbjyU6I4
— ClassicJeff™ (@_ClassicJeff) December 15, 2018
Just saw Bryce Harper trying to order off the secret menu at the Wawa on Broadstreet.
Harper to Phillies: Confirmed
— Andrew Athias (@AndrewAthias) November 16, 2018
…
Anger and Panic
When it appeared other teams were in the mix or the Phillies had severe competition, the news was not received well.
Hey @Bharper3407 pic.twitter.com/NQMgUYNBkB
— JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) February 25, 2019
Bryce Harper to all Phillies fans hopes and dreams pic.twitter.com/7WljpoVBrT
— Slim Jim (@dripwardbob) February 26, 2019
When you wake up and the Phillies still haven’t signed Bryce Harper ?pic.twitter.com/N5gH1q4Y0G
— Kris Williams (CYNTOIA BROWN WILL BE FREE!!!) (@Kali_dream11) February 22, 2019
#Phillies fans hurrying up Bryce Harper negotiations ? pic.twitter.com/uVpkCCER68
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) February 21, 2019
Me to @Bharper3407 right now: pic.twitter.com/Dgyo1LpSc9
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) February 25, 2019
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Happiness
Once the news of Bryce Harper signing swelled through the Delaware Valley, jubilation and excitement sprang up everywhere.
We got him. pic.twitter.com/VdoH54Hg5F
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 2, 2019
Snowing this morning? Who cares? It’s Christmas morning — AKA Bryce Harper day! pic.twitter.com/O4APFPcdyS
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) March 1, 2019
This little guy was all of Philadelphia ? pic.twitter.com/CLoa2U9Fo6
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) March 2, 2019
Romo with one last throw into the hands of Philadelphia. https://t.co/3K2pfEc3R1
— Big Bryce Harper Fan (@itsStephGee) March 1, 2019
Phillies fan Ethan Shore sporting a @Bharper3407 jersey buying tickets for opening weekend at Citizens Bank Park @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/GTy6CKHcE6
— Chris O’Connell (@CoconnellFox29) February 28, 2019
Spotted in Garnet Valley ? We sure don’t waste any time around here. #BryceHarper #harperishere #Phillies @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/L3nSAeB1o6
— Kelly Rule (@KellyRuleTV) February 28, 2019
Welcome to Philadelphia @Bharper3407.#HarperLent is officially over pic.twitter.com/MAkqTeajNn
— John Barchard (@JohnBarchard) February 28, 2019
…
SALT
Everyone, it appears, was not happy to see Harper signing with the Phillies.
I hate you @Bharper3407 #Harper pic.twitter.com/IQAIN0A3au
— Harper Hater (@DC_Wahoo) March 1, 2019
When you find out Christmas has been canceled pic.twitter.com/wvjxYbLgbs
— eytan (@shandershow) March 1, 2019
What if I told you Bryce Harper and Jake Arrieta would be on the same team in 2019… and it’s not the Cubs???? pic.twitter.com/oScoYPLfpl
— Cubs Commenter (@CubsCommenter) February 28, 2019
How many times are the @Braves going to beat the @phillies during Bryce Harper’s career in Philadelphia? pic.twitter.com/EdEAIAuYbQ
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) February 28, 2019
Old Takes Exposed
Cheers to all the pundits and media members who had no clue what was happening.
??? pic.twitter.com/PnIzy4Kqww
— Brian McCardle (@BriMcCardle) March 2, 2019
For what it’s worth, my source who is close to Bryce Harper tells me #Dodgers and #Cubs were 1st choices all along and he prefers not to sign with #Phillies. I’ve been hearing all winter that Harper does not want to play for Gabe Kapler due to analytics and quirky personality
— Randy Miller (@RandyJMiller) February 26, 2019
Sorry to break your heart #Phillies fans but Bryce Harper isn’t going to Philly. If he were, wouldn’t he have signed already? I wish it was the Cubs, but I believe the #Dodgers? will win the @Bharper3407 sweepstakes. @FOXLA
— Dan Cohen (@DanCohenFOX11) February 26, 2019
Sources believe #Nationals are now favorites to land Bryce Harper. Followed by #Phillies and then everyone else. Washington offered Harper “Well over $300 million” (as reported by @JimBowdenGM) on a 10-year deal and source indicated “I would be surprised if he doesn’t sign It.”
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 5, 2019
Sounds like this means Bryce Harper out in #phillies plans. I’ve been told they will not wait and big free agents . They will not play games with their agents. They will move on. That would go for Machado as well. @SportsRadioWIP https://t.co/jD58VJQT7X
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) December 11, 2018
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Brotherly Love
Plenty of other franchises in the city sent the Brotherly Love towards Harper’s way
Hey @Bharper3407, let @CoreyClement_6 know if you need any batting advice. pic.twitter.com/Ajp8a70Bbe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 28, 2019
Philly is a great place to be my man, @Bharper3407 …. Welcome brotha! Big things comin’!
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) March 1, 2019
Yessir! Welcome to Philly @Bharper3407 best fans in the world right here. Let’s go! https://t.co/34HNH3mzkS
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) March 1, 2019
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. #BrotherlyLove pic.twitter.com/yiJA6NXGl1
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 28, 2019
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The Bandwagon Forming
With winning and big names, comes new fans. Here’s a woman who’s a Phillies and Orioles fan. She kept repeating “wow” and seemed to be half-enthused. The bandwagon meter was at an all-time high.
We just got this amazing reaction to the @Bharper3407 signing. @Phillies @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/fTxcZ4t70N
— Dan Lee (@Dan_B_Lee) February 28, 2019
…
More tweets and reactions will be coming as Harper is locked in until the end of time with the franchise. It’s going to be a wild ride and the city can’t wait.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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