IronPigs Notebook: Harper Mania Hits The Lehigh Valley

Kram207

4 years ago

“You know, this kid in the red hat can play some ball, man.” –Kram

News and notes–plus a photo journal–through two games of Bryce Harper’s rehabilitation assignment with the IronPigs.

The IronPigs have now won the first two games of the series with the ~~Strippers~~ Stripers, and have returned to first place in the International League East (tied with Durham). It doesn’t hurt to have the National League MVP playing as hard as he can for us.
It’s been kind of a “controlled chaos” around the park. Maybe less control Wednesday night compared with Tuesday. Certainly, lines have been long, but also more people are sitting in their seats watching the baseball and waiting for our special guest to come to the bat. A little buzz in the air, though, which is cool to kind of feel.
It seems the club bar food menu is done for the season. We go through chefs like Spinal Tap goes through drummers. Planning where I’m going to eat before the game will get me ready for hockey season, at least. (Spoiler: It’s PA Rye Company and it’s not close.)
Darick Hall was back in the lineup last night. Word is he’ll be back with the Phillies when the rosters expand–but they wanted him to see regular at-bats until then because he might be on the bench a lot in September.
LHP Cris Sanchez started for the Phillies last night as planned. The strategy was to find a spot where they could push the whole rotation back a day and get everyone a little rest before the September push. LHP Michael Plassmeyer was optioned to make room, following his MLB debut Tuesday. He should start for us Saturday or Sunday.
RHP Tyler Cyr, who was added to the Phillies 40-man and made his MLB debut Sunday, was DFA’d and claimed off waivers by Oakland. That’s the risk you take when you try to roster-cycle non-40-man guys: You’ll lose them. But, good for Tyler as Oakland wouldn’t claim him if they didn’t plan to get him some MLB time in the coming weeks.
I’m expecting LHP Kent Emanuel to start tonight’s game for Lehigh Valley, and LHP Bailey Falter tomorrow. As above, Plassmeyer will likely slot in Saturday or Sunday and the other game will probably be a bullpen game like Tuesday.
Think about all the rehab appearances we’ve seen at Coca Cola Park over the years. Has anyone played as hard as Bryce? Victorino, Utley and Howard….maybe.
.625/.700/1.625/2.325 is a pretty good baseball line, right?
As of this writing Harper is still with the IronPigs. I see a lot of hand-wringing about not getting him back to the Phillies ASAP. Now I’m seeing “The Phillies are rushing him.” Golly folks, there’s exactly one guy who gets to decide when Harper heads back to Philadelphia. That guy’s name is Bryce Harper.
IF Harp stays through Saturday (I really doubt it) he’ll have worn five different jerseys in five days. Tuesday IronMutts (he didn’t sign it, from what I heard), Wednesday Home White, Thursday Strike Out Cancer (auction), Friday Gold Standard, Saturday Red Bacon.
Upcoming at the park: Thursday: Happy Hour plus Strike Out Cancer Jersey Auction. Men’s Softball and Little League HR Derby pre-game. Friday: Gender Reveal Night with Cap Raffle. Field Hockey Night. Fireworks Saturday: Jeep Night. Fireworks. Sunday: 1:35PM game time returns. HogFather Day.
I noticed nobody ripped the jersey off Bryce or tackled him or through stuff on him following the walk-off last night. Kinda like when the QB wears a red jersey in practice, right?