The Philadelphia Phillies were already a contending team, but the arrival of Harrison Bader elevated them to another level. Let’s not forget that he joined the organization alongside Johan Duran, and from day one, he began winning over the clubhouse and the fans.
The injection of enthusiasm the team needed came in the form of the player who, until this Sunday, had monopolized the center field position. He rested this Sunday but not before starting several consecutive games and making a gesture that has boosted his popularity among the fanbase.
The Phillies made a smart move signing Harrison Bader
Harrison Bader’s Gold Glove-caliber defense in the outfield and his offensive production have been instrumental in getting the Phillies back on track. All that was missing was a viral moment to cement his impact, and this weekend, “Phillies Karen” provided just that.
On Saturday, the night on the field was spectacular for the Phillies, but not everything was pleasant in the stands. A controversy between two fans went viral on social media after one caught a home run ball on the rebound and ran to give it to his son. The fan was quickly confronted by a woman, popularly dubbed “Phillies Karen,” who claimed he had taken the ball from her and demanded he return it. The father complied, giving the ball-already handed to his son-back to the woman, who left angrily.
After the incident was captured, Harrison Bader himself stepped in with a gesture in Miami. In photos shared by the team, the young boy was seen entering the tunnel, where he not only met Phillies star Harrison Bader but also received an autographed bat.
Bader was out of the lineup this Sunday after starting seven consecutive games, during which he batted .286 (8-for-28) with three doubles, one home run, five RBIs, and six runs scored. His gesture has only solidified him as a fan favorite and a respected figure in the clubhouse.
“I could say a lot of things,” said Brandon Marsh when asked about what Bader brings to the team. “Energy. A heck of an at-bat every single time. Gold Glove defense. Good teammate on and off the field.”
Manager Rob Thomson didn’t hold back his admiration for his new player either. “I love him. I love him,” Thomson repeated. “… He’s a very confident person, but he’s a good person-it’s not phony or fake or anything like that.”
Through his first 27 games in a Phillies uniform, Harrison Bader is slashing .310 with an impressive .855 OPS. But he’s been on another level lately. Over his last 13 games, he’s batting .442 (19-for-43) with seven extra-base hits and a staggering 1.164 OPS. Since August 23, Bader has recorded four three-hit games-more than any player in the Majors during that stretch and as many as the rest of the Phillies’ roster combined.
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