Goal! Harper slides soccer-style after HR in London
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LONDON -- Bryce Harper thought long and hard about how he was going to celebrate his home runs in the London Series. Right at the heart of the country that loves football -- known as soccer in the U.S. -- there was only one right answer.
He did it like a soccer player.
“Let’s go!” Harper yelled with his chest out, as he slid on his knees back to the Phillies' dugout with his arms extended before clapping them together after hitting a fourth-inning dinger in the Phillies' 7-2 win over the Mets in the first game of the 2024 London Series on Saturday. It was reminiscent of how soccer players celebrate after scoring goals.
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“I love soccer! I love soccer!” Harper shouted as he high-fived his teammates in the dugout. His excitement could not be contained.
Harper celebrated his “goal,” in this case a home run into right field of London Stadium -- home to West Ham United FC -- that tied the score at 1.
“I love the moment, I love the opportunity,” Harper said after the game. “I was able to do it. I was just wondering if I would actually do it when I crossed home plate because I had been talking about it. I think my only fear was if I got caught on the turf with my knees. But it didn’t happen.”
The Phillies fed off the Harpers' energy, turning the fourth into a six-run inning highlighted by Whit Merrifield's three-run homer.
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