Inside The Phillies

Phillies' Bryce Harper Makes Incredible Catch in Start at First Base

Bryce Harper made his first career start at first base on Friday against Cleveland and made it look like he had been playing there for years.

Matthew Postins

Phillies' Bryce Harper Makes Incredible Catch in Start at First Base
Phillies' Bryce Harper Makes Incredible Catch in Start at First Base /
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Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper doesn’t appear to like doing anything halfway — and that included his first career start at first base against Cleveland on Friday.

By the third inning Harper had already handled a ground ball chance, a line drive and a couple of putouts. But his play on an Amed Rosario fly ball prompted a standing ovation from a Guardians fan.

Rosario popped a pitch into foul territory and Harper tracked it to where he could not run anymore. That didn’t matter to Harper — who had Tommy John surgery last year — as he ran over the railing, into the empty photo well and made the catch as his left arm went into the net and the rest of his body fell to the ground.

The level of effort prompted Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez to put his left hand on his head for several seconds in a show of concern and one Guardians fan to stand up and give Harper an ovation.

A first baseman’s night tends to be eventful even without circus catches. But the Phillies were more grateful that Harper’s first start in the field since last year went without incident.

Meanwhile, at the plate, Harper went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored as the Phillies (52-45) fell to the Guardians (48-49), 6-5.

As it was Harper’s first career start at the position, the Phillies wanted to document it.

Harper had not played in the field since last season, when a partially torn UCL ligament took him out of the outfield and limited him to designated hitter for the rest of 2022. He helped the Phillies reach the World Series.

After the season he had Tommy John surgery and made the fastest recovery for a position plyaer

This is the next step in Harper’s incredible recovery from Tommy John surgery, the fastest for any position player in baseball history. He was cleared for baseball activities 159 days after surgery, surpassing the record timetable set by Tony Womack (182 days) in 2004.

When Harper returned he was limited to DH duties, but the Phillies started talking right before the All-Star Break about the potential for Harper to start playing first base.

The Phillies continues their series with the Guardians through Sunday.

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Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

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