Back during the 2018-19 offseason, the fans applauded when the Philadelphia Phillies managed to beat out the competition to win the Bryce Harper free agency sweepstakes, as he has become a prominent star figure for the organization ever since. Where would the Phillies even be without the services of the two-time NL MVP and eight-time All-Star?
However, in his latest interview with Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Harper revealed that apparently another team was at the top of his list (subscription required) during that fateful year in free agency. That team was the Chicago Cubs.
Bryce Harper’s latest quotes will make Phillies fans thrilled Cubs fumbled the bag
“Going into that offseason, they (the Cubs) were the No. 1 team on my list,” Harper said, per Mooney. “Without a doubt. It was definitely something that I talked about — wanting to play in Wrigley, wanting to play in Chicago … It just didn’t pan out that way.”
I know this horse has been beaten well beyond death, but man do I hate Tom Ricketts
After all, as one of the more storied franchises in the major leagues, who wouldn’t want to play for the Cubs. Especially when Harper happened to have his buddy Kris Bryant there at the time, whom he grew up with in Las Vegas.
However, Chicago never really ended up approaching Harper and engaging in any talks, as they had various other contracts to deal with that very same offseason as well.
In doing so, one organization’s pain has now turned into Philadelphia’s gain with Harper wreaking havoc in the National League, including when facing the very club that missed out on him in a once-in-a-lifetime move.
Just to stick it more at the Cubs, Harper sports a career .305 batting average and .999 OPS, along with 49 runs scored, 20 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, 59 walks and 58 strikeouts in just 69 games against them.
Perhaps he was just giving the Cubs a friendly reminder of what could have been if things were handled just a little differently that fateful 2018-19 offseason.
Nevertheless, with the Phillies, the 32-year-old first baseman is more than grateful to be where he is at now, getting that chance to contend in the postseason on almost a perennial basis.
“Obviously, I’m extremely happy with where I am in Philadelphia. I would never change it for the world. I love the fan base, city, everything. It’s a blast,” Harper said.
No one will know what the future will hold for the superstar, the Phillies, or the Cubs. But one thing is for sure, with Harper in the Phillies’ lineup until likely his retirement, it sure makes the chances of Philadelphia winning the World Series that much better than what the Cubs have now.