Philadelphia Phillies Star Bryce Harper Reps Deion Sanders, Hits Two Absolute Moonshots

After making the last out in Monday’s game 2 loss on a base-running blunder, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper felt disrespected by the way the Braves, led by infielder Orlando Arcia, reacted after the play. And, he made a statement in Wednesday’s game 3 when he smacked a three-run home run into the upper deck to break a 1-1 tie in the third inning with the series tied at one.

Take a look at this gargantuan swing from arguably the most feared hitter on the planet.

That’s what Harper has done in the playoffs the last two years. He hit six home runs in last year’s playoffs, and already has two in the playoffs this year. Phillies fans identify with Harper, and he’s a huge star around the city. Part of it has to do with the fact that, if you’ve ever met people from Philadelphia, Harper is representative of the rough-around-the-edges personality that many of them have.

There’s a lot more to this home run than meets the eye. Harper was on first base in the 9th inning with one out with the Phillies trailing by a run in game two on Monday. Nick Castellanos hit a deep fly ball to center field that forced Braves’ center fielder Michael Harris to make a leaping catch. Harper had strayed too far from first, as he was already well around second base, and couldn’t get back to tag up in time, as the game ended.

Braves infielder Orlando Arcia was caught marking Bryce Harper, and the slugger and Castellanos showed up to the ballpark wearing shirts with Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders on the front. Presumably, that’s in reference to Sanders having said earlier that his team was making it personal against their opponents.

And, Harper mocked Arcia going around the bases following his dinger.

Castellanos followed it up with a two-run homer of his own two batters later, and the Phillies led 6-1 through three innings.

Harper wasn’t done, as he hit another home run in the fifth inning. And, he stared down Arcia again.