Bryce Harper thoroughly enjoyed staring down Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia on his two trips around the bases Wednesday night.
Arcia had reportedly made derisive comments in the Braves clubhouse after Harper got doubled off first base on the final play of the Braves’ Game 2 victory on Monday, and Harper responded to them in spades Wednesday.
“It’s a super-competitive game that we play, from both sides of the ball, and I enjoy commentary and things,” Harper said.
“I listen to WIP and you hear a lot of stuff on there at times and I just enjoy it. It’s a reason why we play this game. There’s nothing like it. Everybody’s competitive that we play against, and I really just enjoy those moments and the opportunity to play this game and have those moments.”
Harper was pressed and asked if Arcia’s comments gave him extra motivation.
“Anytime anybody says something, right? I mean, that’s what it’s all about,” Harper said.
He affirmed that he enjoyed staring Arcia down: “Yeah, I mean I stared right at him.”
Harper was also asked if he said anything to Arcia when he was rounding second-base.
“No, I would never,” Harper answered.
After Game 2, Arcia was heard by multiple reporters in the Braves clubhouse mockingly saying, “Atta boy, Harper!” after Harper had been doubled off on the game’s final play.
Arcia seemingly had more of an issue with the comment getting out than Harper’s response.
“He can look wherever he wants,” Arcia said through an interpreter, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I can’t control where he looks. He can look wherever he wants to look … He wasn’t supposed to hear it. I feel like whatever is said in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse.”
Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud also was not happy the comments were publicized.
“We feel like this is a sanctuary,” d’Arnaud said, referring to Atlanta’s clubhouse. “Where we come to work everyday and try to have fun. When things get out — and I’m sure other teams say things as well — it’s not a good feeling and it makes no one want to be in the clubhouse.”
Game 4 takes place in Philadelphia on Thursday night.