Fastball

Bryce Harper Gets HUGE Ovation in Return to Philadelphia From Phillies Fans

Bryce Harper, playing his first game at Citizens Bank Park since coming back from Tommy John surgery, got a huge standing ovation before his first at-bat against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. You can see the moment here.

Brady Farkas

Bryce Harper Gets HUGE Ovation in Return to Philadelphia From Phillies Fans
Bryce Harper Gets HUGE Ovation in Return to Philadelphia From Phillies Fans /
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There's no place like home.

That was the clear message on Friday night when Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper came to bat in the bottom of the first inning against the Boston Red Sox.

Harper made his season debut this Tuesday when the Phillies were in Los Angeles against the Dodgers but this was his first game since last October in front of the Citizens Bank Park faithful. 

He had missed the entire season after recovering from Tommy John surgery in the offseason.

The homecoming did not disappoint as Harper got a rousing ovation. Kudos to the umpires for not enforcing the pitch clock and letting the moment stand, and kudos to Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale for letting the moment marinate and taking some time around the back of the mound.

You can see the ovation in the video below:

Harper struck out in that first at-bat against Sale but the fans are undoubtedly happy to have him back in the lineup. Philly entered the game at 15-17 and in fourth place in the National League East so any help they can get is welcome, especially with Rhys Hoskins out for the season with a torn ACL.

At the time of this posting, Harper is 1-3 and the Phillies trail the Red Sox, 5-3.

In his first 10 at-bats this season, Harper is hitting .400 with a 1.000 OPS.

For his career, he's a seven-time all-star, a two-time MVP, a Rookie of the Year winner and a home run derby champion.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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