Daily News | Ryan Howard says Bryce Harper’s ‘growth’ helped the Phillies reach the World Series
In the moments after Bryce Harper hit the biggest home run in the history of Citizens Bank Park, the man who hit the most home runs in Citizens Bank Park marveled at how much Harper has changed.
“I’m grateful for the experiences that I went through when I was younger to get me to where I am today,” he said after his two-run home run in Game 5 of the NLCS sent the Phillies back to the World Series. “As a teammate, as a person, father, everything.” Howard’s Phillies fought their way to five straight NL East titles. If Harper’s Phillies were going back to the playoffs, Harper had to carry them. And it wouldn’t happen in the shadows.
“It’s one of those things where he’s embraced the entire situation,” Howard said. “And the only focus is on winning a championship.”Harper sat on a carpeted floor, exhausted. His back leaned against a cinder block wall. His stocking feet and his uniform and his hair and his beard were drenched, and his eye black was running, and he created a puddle of beer and champagne beneath him. The NLCS MVP trophy sat next to him.
All great players crave titles over anything else. Tom Brady and Joe Montana. Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Bobby Clarke and Wayne Gretzky. Mike Schmidt and Ryan Howard.