CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 25: Bryce Harper (3) of the Phillies hustles over to third base during the spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 25, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Bryce Harper made an interesting style choice for his first game with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies newest $330 million man, didn’t take long to embrace Philadelphia sports fandom.
As he prepares to make his Phillies debut on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, Harper walked into Citizens Bank Park wearing a shirt depicting Gritty, the (loveable?) googly-eyed mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philly Phanatic. The two mascots are mimicking the Quentin Tarantino movie Pulp Fiction, pointing guns in the roles of Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta.
No word yet on where you can pick up your own copy of this shirt.
Harper joined the Phillies this offseason after spending the first seven years of his career in Washington, signing a then-record 13-year, $330 million contract on March 2. He’ll start in right field for the Phillies on Thursday against the Braves.
The Harper signing was just the latest move by the Phillies in the winter to stockpile their roster. General Manager Matt Klentak made good ownership’s promise of spending “stupid” money, acquiring All-Stars Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, J.T. Realmuto and David Robertson. The club also gave pitching ace Aaron Nola a four-year contract extension in February. In 2018 the Phillies led the NL East as late as Aug. 12 but won only 15 of their last 45 games to finish 10 games behind the Braves.
If Harper wants to make a good first impression with Phillies fans, he’ll have an opportunity on Opening Day. Harper is 18-40 (.450) with eight home runs and 19 RBI in his career against the Braves Opening Day starter Julio Teheran.
The 26-year-old Harper has a .279 AVG, 184 home runs and 521 RBI in his career. He won the National League MVP award following the 2015 season.
The Phillies and Braves begin the 2019 season at 3:05 p.m. ET.