This was the first world series for the Phillies in twelve years and they were looking to win their first World Championship in thirteen years.
They entered the competition as the sixth and final seed in the National League but advanced all the way to the Fall Classic.
The Phillies won Sunday’s decisive Game 5 by a score of 4-3, after trailing in the eighth inning of the game against the Padres.
After his outstanding display against the Padres, Harper was named as the most valuable player of the NLCS.
Philadelphia had been the lowest-ranked NL team to qualify for the postseason, but overcame the St Louis Cardinals 2-0 in their Wild Card series, and then the defending champion Atlanta Braves 3-1 in the NL Division Series.
Game 5 was influenced by wet conditions throughout. Having already condensed the playoff schedule following the lockout, MLB chose to play the game through rain in Philadelphia.
The last words Harper said to anyone before his at-bat was to hitting coach Kevin Long: “Let’s give them something to remember.’’
“He’s now a legend,’’ Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber said referring to Harper. “Everyone is going to remember this game, this moment, this time. It’s unbelievable.’’
Harper handed his MVP trophy to public relations director Kevin Gregg then started calling out to his teammates.
He signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies, a team that hadn’t been to the postseason since 2011, but has qualified for the 2022 World Series.
