Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Bryce Harper takes Phillie Phanatic bromance to next level

By David Hill | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 7:27 PM ET

First baseman Bryce Harper loves being a Philadelphia Phillie.

Harper has embraced the city and the fans from the beginning. He has become a fan of every professional sports team in the city. He was even fined for wearing a Wawa-themed headband and cleats. However, his love of the Phillie Phanatic makes everything else pale in comparison.

If there were any questions about the legitimacy of Harper's affection for the Phillies' mascot, they were put to rest. Harper permanently declared his appreciation of the Phanatic by getting a tattoo of the Phillies' mascot on his right forearm. The tattoo features the Phanatic on his ATV — one of the more iconic images of the mascot.

Bryce Harper got a Phillie Phanatic tattoo from Hannah Matthews, a tattoo artist in Utah.

This is what she has to say about the experience.

Check out her work on TikTok: hannahmatthews__ pic.twitter.com/QovvXt3FXW
— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) February 20, 2025

Harper has made other gestures toward the Phanatic. He wore Phillie Phanatic-themed cleats for his first Opening Day as a member of the Phillies in 2019. The Phanatic responded by wearing Harper-themed cleats two days later. Harper has since worn Phanatic-themed headbands and shirts. He even gave the Phanatic a birthday gift — a pair of themed cleats he autographed.

Harper has been everything the Phillies hoped for when he signed a 13-year, $330 million contract ahead of the 2019 season. He has posted a .285/.391/.533 batting line in 3,128 plate appearances, hitting 152 homers and 186 doubles while stealing 65 bases. A two-time All-Star as a Phillie, he was named the NL MVP in 2021. Harper has also been clear that he wants to end his career in Philadelphia and is interested in an extension to make that happen.

Harper has been overt in his love of the Phanatic. That love has been taken to another level with his new tattoo.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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