Philadelphia Phillies fans may despise the Atlanta Braves, but Spencer Strider holds a unique spot in that rivalry — dating back to Rhys Hoskins’ legendary bat spike off him in Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS. So when Strider took the mound at Citizens Bank Park for Tuesday night’s key NL East clash, the crowd was already on edge.
That animosity quickly intensified when Strider hit Bryce Harper in the elbow with a 95 mph fastball in the first inning. Harper exited the game in pain, though X-rays later showed no fracture — he’d sustained a right elbow contusion and avoided serious injury.
After the game, Strider was visibly remorseful. Having only recently returned from a long recovery from elbow surgery and a hamstring injury, the Braves’ ace admitted his control wasn’t where he wanted it. Still, he emphasized that he never intended to hit Harper.
“I’m not a complete sociopath — I have empathy,” Strider told reporters, adding, “I was pissed I hit him. It was hard seeing him in pain. He’s one of the greatest players of this era. It’s better for the game when he’s on the field.”
Despite the sincere apology and the Phillies pulling out a 2-0 win, Strider remained enemy No. 1 in Philly. Fans spent the rest of the night jeering the pitcher, unwilling to forgive what they saw as a dangerous moment for their star player.
Given Harper’s deep bond with Philadelphia and his status as a fan favorite, the reaction wasn’t surprising. Though there’s no evidence the hit-by-pitch was intentional, emotions ran high — and in Philadelphia, that means grudges don’t die easily.
