On Saturday, Bryce Harper was formally introduced as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in their spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida. Harper, who wore 34 during his seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, said his decision to wear 3 was out of respect for the late Roy Halladay who pitched with the Phillies from 2010 to 2013 and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer:
I thought Roy Halladay should be the last one to wear it. He’s somebody in this game that’s greater than a lot of guys who ever played it. A Hall of Famer. Somebody who played the game the right way, was a great person, and was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met…. For me, it’s Roy Halladay.
This goodwill gesture demonstrates Harper's respect for the game and a player who left this world too soon. It will bring comfort to the Halladay family and demonstrate humility to the Phillies' fan base. I'm sure Halladay's fans in Toronto will also be appreciative of the gesture. Today, Harper hit it out of the park without having to step into the batter's box.
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