Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies swept the Oakland Athletics over the weekend to improve to 38-34 on the season. 

The Athletics, now 19-55 on the season, haven’t made much noise on the baseball field, but their fans have made national headlines thanks to a “Reverse Boycott” early last week which brought over 27,000 Athletics fans to the Coliseum in protest against the organization’s ownership and the team’s pending move to Vegas.

To Note: The A’s move to Las Vegas passed another key benchmark last week, when the Nevada state legislature voted to approve the construction of a $1.5 billion ballpark. The stadium will seat as many as 30,000 fans and is expected to open in 2028.

Bryce Harper, a guy who usually does not get a warm reception from opposing fanbases when the Phillies hit the road was greeted with cheers in Oakland following his comments made last week about the organization’s decision to leave town.

Bryce Harper: “Let’s Go Harper” Chants from Oakland Athletics Fans

Harper speaking out against the decision to move the Athletics definitely holds a little more weight given the fact that he is from Las Vegas, obviously. During the weekend series in Oakland, Harper was rocking gold cleats, which many assumed it was another nod to Oakland, but what’s more likely, it was in recognition of the Las Vegas Knights winning the Stanley Cup.

After Athletics’ fans showed their support, Harper spoke with Scott Lauber from The Inky

“They had a sign out there in right field that said, ‘Bryce is right,’” Harper laughed, via Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I thought that was funny.”

You would think that the Las Vegas native would be supportive of bringing an MLB team to his hometown, but Harper made it clear that he opposed the Athletics move last week. 

Bryce Harper on the Oakland Athletics moving to Las Vegas

“I feel sorry for the fans in Oakland,” Harper said, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “It’s just not right. They have so much history in Oakland. You’re taking a team out of a city. I’m pretty sad because of all of the history and all of the greatness they’ve seen there. I see the A’s as Oakland. I don’t see them as Vegas.”

“Those fans (in Oakland) are so passionate, they bleed green,” Harper said. “I’m not sure what they’re going to be, or how they’re going to be in Vegas, but it won’t be the same. Pretty small market.”

“I don’t think they should use the A’s name,” the 30-year-old said, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “I really don’t. I don’t think it’s fair to anybody in Oakland for that to happen.”

“I Hope I Die In A Phillies Jersey”

Bryce Skelly T-Shirts Available Now >>

The Phillies are now 13-4 in June. They have won six straight games and are 8-2 over their last 10. They have 10 games remaining this month, with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets coming to town for the next six before closing out June with three against the Chicago Cubs on the road and returning home to open up a series against the Washington Nationals on June 30th. 

Needless to say, the six-game homestand that starts tomorrow is massive if the Phillies want to get back in contention in the National League East standings. 

The Atlanta Braves currently sit in first place in the NL East with a 46 -26 record. They are 8-2 over their last 10 games and hold a five game lead over the Miami Marlins in second. The Fish are surprisingly 10 games over .500 at 41-31 and winners of seven out of their last 10 games. The Phillies, now four games over .500 at 38-34, trail Miami by three games and the Braves by eight, sitting in third place. 

In the NL Wild Card, the Phillies are currently one game out of the final spot available, with Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles currently holding Wild Card tickets to the postseason. 

A big week for the Phillies begins tomorrow. Enjoy the day off today.

Join The Chase