Bryce Harper: Phillies championship window is still open

Next year will mark Bryce Harper’s 14th season in Major League Baseball. He’s about to turn 32 years old and is the leader of a Philadelphia Phillies core that is certainly not getting any younger.

Since then, they’ve been taking steps backward, and it makes you wonder: How much longer is the Phillies’ championship window open? “Obviously, it’s getting shorter, right?” Bryce Harper said after the Phillies’ 2024 season ended with a 4-1 loss to the Mets in Game 4 of the NLDS at Citi Field.

But don’t expect Harper to hit the panic button just yet. He’s still got faith that the window is open—maybe not wide open, but there’s still time.

After all, he’s only halfway through that 13-year, $330 million deal he signed back in 2019. Plus, the Phillies didn’t bring back Aaron Nola and extend Zack Wheeler just for fun.

“You don’t pay Wheels and Noles unless you think you’re going to be competitive for the next five years,” Harper said. “The NL East is getting better—Washington’s going to be improved, the Braves are getting healthy and always dangerous, and Miami’s always got that pitching.” [MLB]

As for himself, Harper isn’t worried about his own prime fading away anytime soon. In fact, he thinks it’s just getting started. “This might sound crazy, but I think my prime is the next 10 years,” Harper said with a straight face. “I don’t feel like I’m slowing down at all.”

Harper’s 2024 numbers back up that confidence. No, he didn’t match his ridiculous 2021 season when he led the majors in slugging and OPS, but 30 homers, 42 doubles, and an .898 OPS isn’t exactly a down year. More importantly, he stayed healthy, playing 145 games—his most since 2019—after missing significant time the previous two years.

“I’ve found a routine that works for me,” Harper said. “Age is just a number, right? I don’t think my best years are behind me at all.” [MLB]

And when you look at Harper’s postseason resume, it’s hard to argue. His career 1.016 OPS in the playoffs ranks fifth all-time for players with at least 150 postseason plate appearances. The only names ahead of him? Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, George Brett, and Carlos Beltrán. That’s elite company.

Even though the Phillies’ offense struggled as a whole in the NLDS, Harper was one of the few bright spots. He went 4-for-12 (.333) with three extra-base hits, three RBIs, and five walks in four games. He posted a 1.279 OPS and delivered a clutch two-run homer in Philly’s lone win in Game 2.

But it wasn’t enough. In Game 4, Harper could only watch from the top step of the dugout, bat in hand, as Kyle Schwarber whiffed on a 101 mph heater from Edwin Díaz to end the Phillies’ season.

“I wish I could’ve done more,” Harper admitted. “I wanted that last at-bat in that spot. It would’ve been fun, but it just didn’t happen.” [MLB]

Bryce Harper’s biggest regret? Game 3. The Phillies were down by two when Harper struck out on three straight pitches from Sean Manaea. Nick Castellanos followed with a line drive that turned into a double play, and the Mets pulled away in the next inning.

Bryce Harper’s very bad at-bat in Game 3

Nightmare fuel pic.twitter.com/7n6YYUqlBu

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) October 9, 2024

“I think Bryce was just pressing there, trying to do too much,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “He’s that guy who wants to carry the team when things get tough.” [MLB]

That’s Bryce Harper in a nutshell—he’s been the guy to step up when it matters most. And even though the Phillies fell short again this year, Harper isn’t ready to call it quits. The window might be shrinking, but it’s not closed yet.

“We’ve got to be better,” Harper said. “We’ve got a great group of guys, a solid core. We just didn’t finish the job this year. But we’ll be back.” [MLB]

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