NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 21, 2023

Bryce Harper

Chase Field

Philadelphia Phillies

Postgame 5 Press Conference

Phillies 6, Diamondbacks 1

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Bryce Harper.

Q. How did the double steal come about? How were you able to execute that so well?

BRYCE HARPER: Yeah, I think Dusty just told me be aggressive. We're going to be aggressive right here. Bryson had the green light. He went, and i just tried to make the best decision to get there and make it happen to score that run.

Q. I believe it was the first steal of home in Phillies history in postseason. Kind of another Bryce Harper moment. You hit a long home run and catch somebody's eye on your way home. For us it just seems like kind of a storybook over and over again. Does it to you?

BRYCE HARPER: I just want to win. That's it. I mean, whatever that takes, whatever that's going to be, whatever that's going to look like. That was a big game for us.

Coming in here and being able to get one is huge. That's a really good team over there, and we took advantage of everything we could today. The last two before that, want to flush that as quick as possible and get here to the third game and win that going home. We're in a really good spot going home 3-2.

So that's a really good pitcher over there. He threw the ball extremely well this year. We knew we were going to have to try to get on in the best way we could and just were able to do that.

Q. Can you describe to us the last few feet of the steal of home, what you saw, what the collision was like, scrambling back, and then checking on Moreno?

BRYCE HARPER: Yeah. Just like Dusty said, he told me, hey, be aggressive right here. We're going to be aggressive in this spot. Knowing how good Zack is on the bump and trying to take advantage of that moment, being able to score.

You know, baseball play, big collision at the plate, I was making sure he was okay. Kind of the way he went down, I was making sure he was good and stable. Never want those moments or anybody to get hurt. But just a good position to put us in and be able to get up in that situation.

Q. Bryce, can you describe what the day was like for you guys coming off of a tough game last night, tough game the night before, maybe the bus ride over here? What kind of was the mood of the team, and how did everybody kind of feel heading into a game that felt like it was as important of a must-win game as you guys have had yet so far?

BRYCE HARPER: Yeah, coming in here playing against a really good team over there. We said it before we left, that's not a team that's going to fold or die or anything like that. They're really good. They've played a great postseason, and they continue to show why they're supposed to be here.

They're a tremendous-coached team as well. They make all the plays. They hit in every spot. So you've got to come in here ready to play, no matter the situation or no matter momentum or time or anything.

So today was -- like you said, it's a big game. We have to come in here and take advantage of that. We know we have Zack Wheeler on the mound, so all of us coming to the ballpark know we have a good chance to win because he's on the mound. So being able to do that and see that, getting two runs early there in the first, and kind of having that momentum keep going throughout the whole game. I thought we played really good defense.

Zack, I mean, you can't say enough about him. I told him after the game, I was, like, you're one of the best pitchers I've ever played with, man. I've played with a lot of good ones, and he's easily top three.

It's incredible what he does. It's so much fun to watch. I love playing behind him, and it's incredible. He's legit, man.

Q. I was going to ask about Wheeler. Just what in your eyes allows him not just to be good this time of year, but to have that consistency of doing it pretty much every time he gets the ball?

BRYCE HARPER: Just slow heartbeat. I think he just has all the confidence in his ability to throw any pitch in any count. He's not scared. He goes out there and does his job. As a baseball player watching that, you're watching just an incredible moment every time he goes out there.

When he gives the team a chance to win each night he is out there, it's incredible. That's why he is here. That's why he has the opportunity to do this every fifth day. I just love seeing him do it.

Q. A lot of hitters in the lineup have talked about finding that pitch and not missing it when you can do damage. How much are you guys talking and updating your game plans as you start to see pitchers multiple times through the series and even through a game?

BRYCE HARPER: I think each guy has a different kind of standard or approach in the box, but we're all trying to look for the same thing and trying to hunt for the same thing or have that moment of not missing pitches, right?

When you are facing guys deeper in the playoffs or deeper in the year, you're going to get a lot of good pitchers. You are going to get guys that this time of year that are really, really good. That's the advantage. Not missing pitches in the zone, being able to hit with damage or contact and being able to put pressure on them as much as possible because you know how good the opposing guys are.

Q. Speaking of that, you haven't gotten a lot of pitches to hit this postseason. I'm wondering just how you're able to do it knowing that if you don't hit that one, you might not see another one.

BRYCE HARPER: No, I mean, I just have to stay ready and be ready. You know, take advantage of the miss and not swing at the balls. It's something I just have to do.

I have to keep my routine and my swing the same. I felt kind of wobbly the last two days. Just swing didn't feel too good, but felt good today, and ride that momentum into tomorrow.

Q. As somebody who hits a lot of long home runs, what impresses you about the way Kyle does it? How does he do it? Is it lower body? Is it bat speed? How does he hit them so far all the time?

BRYCE HARPER: I want to say an answer, but I'm not going to.

No, he's country strong, man. It's incredible. Just the way he goes and the way he swings. He uses that lower half so well. He drives through the ground. Whenever you're able to put your feet in the ground and stay grounded, it's incredible. When guys are able to do that, that's how you hit the ball that way and that far.

Every chance he gets up there, he has an opportunity to hit a homer. And I think that's the coolest thing about being Kyle Schwarber, he's got a really good chance to go deep in any count, any pitch. Yeah, it's really impressive.

Q. Is Strasburg and Scherzer the other two?

BRYCE HARPER: Strasburg in the postseason. I mean, he's incredible. That changeup that he throws. Scherzer, you can't say enough about him. Nola can be up there. You can talk about him.

Postseason pitching, I mean, that's where it all counts. I've been able to see a lot of good pitchers and face a lot of good guys as well. Yeah, I mean, he's up there.

Q. So I'm guessing that the only thing that's missing from a great career is the World Series ring, right?

BRYCE HARPER: For me?

Q. Yeah.

BRYCE HARPER: Yeah, I just want to win.

Q. You said that a lot. So you want to win it all? That's the most important thing to you right now?

BRYCE HARPER: All the time, yeah.

Q. You always recognize the fans when they travel. They seem to travel pretty well here. What's it been like behind your dugout the last few nights, and what do you think it's going to be like Monday?

BRYCE HARPER: It's been great. Whenever you're able to have fans travel with you on the road and be here for you in these spots, it's huge. Just kind of gives you motivation and the people behind you and knowing that you have Philadelphia fans here with us, it's motivation in itself.

The Diamondbacks fans showed up great. I thought it was a really good atmosphere here, and they packed it out. That was a lot of fun. Really cool to see as well.

Really excited to get back home. I know our whole team is too to play in front of our fan base and have some fun on Monday.