1 – Game-Tying Home Run in NLDS Game 2
“With one out, the pitch. Swing and a long drive, deep to right, going, going, gone goodbye! He has done it. He has changed the game of the night, with one swing of his bat! Bang Zoom go the fireworks, and Bang Zoom goes Bryce Harper!”
When just reading a radio call give you chills, you know it was great. Charlie Slowes, the Washington Nationals radio announcer, absolutely nailed it in what is, by far and away, the most memorable moment of Bryce Harper‘s time with the Nationals.
More from District on Deck
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
- Washington Nationals Re-Sign RHP Erasmo Ramirez
- Washington Nationals Sign RHP Trevor Williams
- Washington Nationals find Success in First Draft Lottery
- Washington Nationals: What to Know for the MLB Draft Lottery
After working his way back from an injury that likely cost him his second NL MVP award late in the season, he hadn’t quite looked like himself for a while. And while he still didn’t get back on track in the series overall, it speaks to Harper’s ability to step up at any given moment and ability to strike fear into opposing pitching because of his game-changing talent.
The Nationals were quickly heading to a 2-0 deficit in the series with the offense barely whimpering against the Chicago Cubs so far. Adam Lind got a pinch-hit single with Victor Robles taking his place on the basepaths. After a Trea Turner strikeout, Harper worked his way to a favorable 3-1 count against Carl Edwards Jr. and the rest is history.
And then to add to the moment even more, later on in the same inning, Ryan Zimmerman was able to hit one just over the fence to give the Nationals their first lead of the series. Nobody needs reminding how that series ended, but it gave the Nats Park faithful a moment of elation and is going to be the moment they think about most when Harper’s name is mentioned.
It really was a moment to make hairs on your body perk up, with the sound of the crowd deafening as they went ballistic. It was the biggest stage the team has been to for the team’s biggest player and it couldn’t have been scripted too much better.
You could argue that it’s right up there with the Jayson Werth walk-off home run in Game 4 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 for the greatest moment in Nationals history. Werth likely has the edge in that argument, but not by much. A deserved top moment in his career so far and possibly ever.
Several Washington Nationals fans are hoping that Bryce Harper will stay in the nation’s capital, but we know that may not be the case. It was nice the relive the greatest moment from one the best the Nationals have known in their short history.