Bryce Harper: 'I Don't Want To Play Anywhere Else' But Philadelphia

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper clearly loves Philadelphia, and he reiterated that love earlier this week when he spoke to SportsRadio 94WIP.

Harper was speaking after a Phillies win over Kansas City, which came after Phillies fans spent the series giving shortstop Trea Turner, who has been struggling this season, standing ovations as a form of encouragement.

“I have so much emotion toward it, because it’s just, I absolutely frickin’ love it,” Harper said. “I don’t want to play anywhere else. I wish I started my career here, just the way it is and how lucky we are to do this.”

Harper also said in June that “I hope I die in a Phillies jersey.”

There isn’t much chance of Harper going anywhere in the near future. He joined the Phillies in 2019 after he signed a 13-year, $330 million contract. Before that, he was with the Washington Nationals, where he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2010.

Harper has had quite the season for the Phillies and it doesn’t have much to do with what he’s done on the field. After he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in May of 2022 he was the designated hitter for the rest of the season, helping the Phillies reach the World Series.

After surgery in late November, he made the fastest recovery from Tommy John surgery by a position player, moving back into the DH role and then into to the field as a first baseman after the All-Star break.

While his traditional power numbers are down, he’s batting near .300 for the season.

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