A preteen wearing Harper’s screaming face on his shirt while holding a neon orange sign declaring “BRYCE” waited for the Phillies' new slugger to appear for a batting-practice autograph before the Cardinals and the Phillies started their series here Monday night.
Dad, dressed in a Cardinals cap, stood patiently by his son’s side. But the bearded outfielder believed by many to be the face of baseball did not pop out of Busch Stadium's visitors’ dugout until after fans with field passes were ushered to their seats.
I feel you, kid. I hoped it would happen, too. But Harper is not coming, and we won't have a definitive answer on if that's good or bad until 2031.