Sometimes the end stares you straight in the face. In 2011, it was Ryan Howard crumpled over. In 2026, it was Bryce Harper never even noticing a dropped third strike.
PhillyVoice writer Nick Tricome argues that the Philadelphia Phillies' current competitive era has come to an end following an elimination in the 2026 NL Wild Card series. Philadelphia fell 6-2 to the Atlanta Braves in the deciding Game 3, highlighted by Bryce Harper failing to promptly run out a dropped third strike in the eighth inning.
Tricome contends that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and hitting coach Kevin Long face mounting scrutiny heading into the offseason. The roster faces significant uncertainty, with interim manager Don Mattingly, free-agent-to-be Alec Bohm, and Harper all acknowledging likely major changes ahead.
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