Braves announcers upset with Bryce Harper over gesture

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Braves announcers upset with Bryce Harper over throat-slash gesture

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 10/11/23

Bryce Harper is enemy No. 1 for the Atlanta Braves this postseason and that’s not just because of his big home runs and beef with Orlando Arcia.

Harper hit two home runs in his Philadelphia Phillies’ 10-2 win over the Braves in Game 3 of their NLDS showdown at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. He delivered a huge blow in the third with a three-run home run. Harper also homered in the fifth. After both home runs, he stared down Arcia, who was reported to have mocked Harper for a base-running error to end Game 2 on Monday.

But it wasn’t just the stare downs of Arcia that drew attention.

Harper made a throat-slash gesture towards his dugout after homering in the third. He repeated the gesture as he crossed home plate.

How Bryce Harper's 3-run dinger sounded on Braves radio

Sad Braves announcer: "And then when he crossed the plate, I guess the game is over, because Harper just gave the throat-slashing sign as he stepped on home plate" pic.twitter.com/tOIGsniLSU

— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) October 11, 2023

Braves radio announcer Joe Simpson, who teams with Ben Ingram, made note of the gesture after the first home run. Harper repeated the gesture after his second home run.

How Bryce Harper's 2nd dinger of the game sounded on Braves radio

"Again gave the throat-slashing sign, which given today's climate around the world, I'm not sure that's quite what anybody wants to see"

And then tries to defend Arcia for whatever reason pic.twitter.com/6dFezIfwvD

— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) October 11, 2023

Simpson wasn’t a fan of the throat slash.

“Again gave the throat-slashing sign, which given today’s climate around the world, I’m not sure that’s quite what anybody wants to see,” Simpson said.

Simpson was likely alluding to the war in Israel.

Though some may view the comments as soft, the NFL banned the throat slash in 1999. Moreover, the Braves had performed the same gesture during the 2019 postseason.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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