Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves won Game 2 of their National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in spectacular fashion, with a circus catch in center field and with Bryce Harper being doubled off at first base to end the game.
Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia, celebrating with his teammates and fired up with the impressive victory, said “ha-ha, atta boy Harper,” mocking the Phillies star for his baserunning mistake.
A reporter overheard this and published it via Twitter.
Needless to say, it reached Harper, who probably used it as extra motivation.
That appears to be the case, as he hit two home runs on Wednesday to lead the Phillies’ 10-2 victory in Game 3.
After the game, Arcia was asked about his comments, and he said the intention wasn’t for Harper to hear them because they were made inside the Braves clubhouse.
Orlando Arcia wasn’t happy his Game 2 comments got leaked. pic.twitter.com/XUjwQCU30F
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 12, 2023
Per SportsCenter, Arcia said that “when you are in the clubhouse, I’m under the impression you could say whatever… He wasn’t supposed to hear it.”
While he may have a point implying that the clubhouse is, or should be, a space where players can act naturally and say these type of things, he must be aware that the place was full of reporters and that the chances of someone reproducing his words were rather high.
Some awareness is warranted in these situations.
Still, Harper was able to hit two homers because he got two hanging pitches, but it’s clear he had extra focus to show Arcia and the Braves that while he can make mistakes, he is the wrong person to make fun of.
While rounding the bases on both homers, Harper stared at Arcia, so he knew about the comments and probably wanted to dedicate the homers to him.
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