Bryce Harper might have off-days (and even an offseason) in the MLB, but he’s proving there’s no such thing as an off-day or offseason when you’re a father. In fact, his fatherly instincts were put to the test ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies’ game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday (August 5) evening.
Saturday marked the return of Phillies Coca Cola Photo Night – a promotional night that allows fans the opportunity to line up along the field and snap a photo with some of their favorite Phillies’ players. It was always a marquee promotion on the Phillies’ schedule, but the COVID-19 pandemic had different plans.
Cool event here in Philly. Phillies annual Photo Night and fans have packed the field to take pics with players and alumni. Amidst the thousands lining the warning track and gathering in the outfield is Zack Greinke playing catch. pic.twitter.com/YRjkTJ6Nla
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) August 5, 2023
On August 5th, the Phillies brought back Photo Night for the first time since 2019 and, sure enough, fans were quick to line up along the edge of the field. The promotional night was a success for everyone involved, but there was one interaction between a young fan and a Phillies’ player that stole the show.
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The Philadelphia Phillie’s player – who just so happened to be Bryce Harper – was making his way through the line of fans when he saw a 7-year-old boy who was visibly upset. With Harper entering full dad mode, he walked up to the young fan, sat down next to him, and tried to figure out what was wrong.
7year old Caleb was upset that he got separated from his two brothers, so @bryceharper went into dad mode ???? pic.twitter.com/mnG0jGXeMf
— Taryn Hatcher (@TarynNBCS) August 5, 2023
The little boy – named Caleb – explained to Harper that he got separated from his brothers while in line to get a photo, so Bryce asked the little boy where they were sitting. Caleb pointed to where his brothers and grandmother were and Harper helped reunite him to the rest of his family – a wholesome MLB moment.
And when they got back to the little boy’s seat, Bryce Harper took the time to make sure him and his two brothers got a photo with the superstar. Both the initial interaction and the photograph were shared by a reporter, who witnessed the exchange and felt it was just too good not to share with the rest of the world.
Update from Caleb’s grandmom, Diane, there were smiles after all. pic.twitter.com/NzPjaynYoc
— Taryn Hatcher (@TarynNBCS) August 5, 2023
The promotional night got even sweeter with the Phillies beating the Royals 9-6 to improve their record to 60-51 on the season and keep them in playoff contention. And as fate would have it, Bryce Harper ended up hitting a home run in the 5th inning of that game to help spark a much-needed comeback victory.
Bryce Harper Has Two Children of His Own
Bryce Harper is no stranger to fatherhood – the 30-year-old first baseman has two children of his own, who he shares with his wife, Kayla Harper (née Varner). The high school sweethearts started dating sometime in 2010 and were together when Bryce began his career in the major leagues in 2012.
Bryce decided to get down on one knee and proposed in 2014. While she said yes and their wedding was set for August 2015, that wedding never happened. They reconciled later that year and officially tied the knot in December 2016 in the San Diego California Temple before starting a family several years later.
Their first child, a son named Krew Aron Harper, was born on August 22, 2019 and their second child, a daughter named Brooklyn Elizabeth Harper, was born in November 2020. It’s unclear if the couple plan on adding to their family in the near future, but it has been nearly three years since their last child was born.
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While he plays a loving father at home, Bryce Harper has made a name for himself as one of the best hitters in baseball since entering the league in 2012. He’s a two-time MVP with 291 home runs – one of which was hit on Coca Cola Photo Night – in his career and still has plenty left to give at just 30 years old.
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