For the first time in almost ten years, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper will return to one of baseball’s grandest platforms, providing Phillies supporters with yet another memorable experience during All-Star celebrations at Citizens Bank Park.
One of the most memorable events of the eight-time All-Star’s career occurred when he won the 2018 Home Run Derby while playing for the Washington Nationals. Now that the competition is back in Philadelphia, Harper has made the decision to compete once more, but many fans were taken aback by a significant aspect of his involvement.
Unlike when he won it in 2018, Harper won’t be depending on his father to toss to him during the competition. Rather, a member of one of the Phillies’ main opponents in the National League will assist him.He claimed to have had requests to throw to him from a number of people, including some former teammates, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “Harper will speak on Friday in Detroit about the Derby, but he has chosen (Los Angeles) Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel to throw to him.”
Ahead of one of the season’s highlights, the choice offers an unexpected Dodgers connection. During his time in Los Angeles, Ebel worked with many top hitters and has long been considered one of baseball’s most recognized coaches. After last year’s All-Star game, he also pitched to Kyle Schwarber, Harper’s teammate, who won his first-ever swingoff.
In the past, Harper had hinted that if he couldn’t find someone suitable to toss to him, he could skip the event.
“Harper said Sunday morning he wasn’t sure if he would compete,” Zolecki added. “Harper’s father, Ron, threw to him in 2018. But Harper’s father hasn’t thrown in a few years, and Harper said he needs to trust his pitcher if he’s going to compete.”
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Returns To Derby With Los Angeles Dodgers Coach After Memorable Victory
Nearly eight years have passed since Harper’s thrilling derby victory in Washington, which is still regarded as one of the event’s most memorable outcomes.
“The last time Bryce Harper competed in a Home Run Derby, he launched 45 homers into the D.C. night,” Johnny Flores Jr. and Charlotte Varnes recalled for The Athletic. “He was a member of the hometown Washington Nationals at the time and beat out his future teammate, Kyle Schwarber, to win the event at Nationals Park in 2018. Eight years later, Harper is returning to the Derby field. This time, he will compete as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, who are hosting the Derby on Monday as part of the All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park.”
Since that derby victory, the Phillies star has continued to build his Hall of Fame resume, and his comeback offers home fans another opportunity to watch one of baseball’s top power hitters compete in the spotlight.
Harper’s choice to use Ebel as his derby pitcher could turn out to be one of the more interesting plots of All-Star Week, as Citizens Bank Park is anticipated to offer a hitter-friendly setting. Before the teams begin vying for National League supremacy later this season, the pairing also represents a rare instance of collaboration between Phillies and Dodgers staff.
