Harper: Accepts Phillies Fans Boos, Faces MLB Elimination

Bryce Harper Responds to Criticism and Talks About Family Amidst the Division Series

The boos from Phillies fans in their stadium probably drowned out the noise Bryce Harper was making. The Phillies’ star player has had a single and three strikeouts in the National League Division Series, where Philadelphia is losing 2-0 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I love our fans. I boo myself when I get eliminated.
Bryce Harper

Game 3 will be played on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, with the Phillies facing elimination in the best-of-five series. Harper anticipates he could be booed again. The player does not agree that a change of venue, away from their frustrated fanbase, is a good thing for the struggling Phillies.

We have some of the best fans in baseball and they make me play better, so I enjoy it. They show up for us every day. They spend their hard-earned money to come watch us play; they expect greatness from us and I expect greatness from myself and my teammates as well.
Bryce Harper

Third baseman Nick Castellanos had a great performance in a wild ninth inning that almost allowed the Phillies to steal a victory on Monday. The fans’ reaction ranged from loud cheers to deafening boos in the 4-3 loss.

I think the stadium is alive on both sides, right? When the game is going well, it’s wind at our backs, but when the game isn’t going well, it’s wind in our faces. The atmosphere can be with us and the atmosphere can be against us.
Nick Castellanos

Harper was happy to be in sunny Los Angeles, not far from his hometown of Las Vegas, where he was a Dodgers fan. Last week he became a father for the fourth time, when his wife, Kayla, gave birth to a son.

I have an incredible wife, man. She pushed that thing out in three pushes and 30 seconds. She’s an absolute monster at it. Women. Man, what a breed. I’m serious, it’s something incredible. Being able to hold your child for the first time is something. It’s one of the greatest moments of my life.
Bryce Harper

The couple now has two sons, Krew and Hayes, and two daughters, Brooklyn and Kamryn, all under 6 years old. Harper emphasized that, although he loves baseball, his family is the most important thing.