Phillies’ ‘Atta Boy Harper He Wasn’t Supposed To Hear It’ Shirt: Orion Kerkering’s Playful Jab at the Braves After NLDS Victory

The Philadelphia Phillies eliminated the Atlanta Braves from the postseason for the second consecutive year, winning the National League Division Series in four games. The Phillies celebrated their victory in style, wearing T-shirts that mocked the Braves’ shortstop Orlando Arcia, who had taunted Bryce Harper after his baserunning blunder in Game 2. The T-shirts featured the phrase “Atta Boy Harper” on the front and “He wasn’t supposed to hear it” on the back, quoting Arcia’s words that were overheard by reporters in the Braves’ clubhouse.

Is it okay if we share these pics of someone doing something in the clubhouse?

(h/t @BizballMaury, @yoda) pic.twitter.com/sXkf5i8QtB

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 13, 2023

In this blog post, we will explore the origin of this T-shirt, the reaction of Harper and Arcia, and the role of rookie reliever Orion Kerkering, who wore the shirt proudly during the celebration.

How it all started: Arcia’s comment after Game 2

The NLDS between the Phillies and the Braves was tied at 1-1 after two games in Atlanta. In Game 2, the Braves had a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs and Harper on first base. Harper tried to score on a fly ball hit by J.T. Realmuto, but the ball was caught by center fielder Cristian Pache, who threw to first base to double off Harper and end the game.

As the Braves celebrated their win on the field, Arcia was heard shouting “Ha-ha, atta boy, Harper!” in a sarcastic tone in their clubhouse. He later explained that he was joking with his teammates and that Harper “wasn’t supposed to hear it”.

However, Harper did hear it, as some reporters published Arcia’s comment on social media and in their articles. Harper said he was not bothered by it, but he did not forget it either.

How Harper responded: Two homers and two staredowns in Game 3

In Game 3, Harper made sure to let Arcia know that he heard his comment. He hit two home runs off Braves starter Ian Anderson, one in the first inning and one in the third inning. Both times, he stared at Arcia as he rounded second base, making eye contact and holding his gaze for a few seconds.

Harper’s homers helped the Phillies win Game 3 by a score of 8-5, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. After the game, Harper said he was just having fun and that he respected Arcia as a player. He also said he did not mind being taunted by opponents, as long as they could take it back.

Arcia also downplayed the incident, saying he did not notice Harper’s stares and that he was not trying to disrespect him. He said he was just trying to motivate his team and that he had no problem with Harper celebrating his homers. He also praised Harper as a great player and a tough competitor.

How Kerkering joined the fun: Wearing the T-shirt after Game 4

In Game 4, the Phillies sealed their series win with a dominant performance. They scored seven runs in the first inning, chasing Anderson from the game. They added three more runs in the fourth inning and one more in the sixth inning, while holding the Braves to only two runs. The final score was 11-2, giving the Phillies their second straight trip to the NLCS.

As the Phillies celebrated their victory in their clubhouse, some of them wore blue T-shirts with “Atta Boy Harper” on the front and “He wasn’t supposed to hear it” on the back. The T-shirts were a playful jab at Arcia and his comment from Game 2. One of the players who wore the shirt was Orion Kerkering, a rookie reliever who had pitched in three games in the series and had not allowed a run or a hit in three innings.

Kerkering said his friend made him the shirt to wear for the celebration. He said he thought it was funny and that he wanted to show his support for Harper. He also said he did not mean any disrespect to Arcia or the Braves, and that he was just enjoying the moment

The T-shirt was a symbol of how the Phillies used Arcia’s comment as a source of motivation and camaraderie. It also showed how Kerkering, a young pitcher who had only made three appearances in the regular season before being called up to the majors in September, had become a part of the team’s chemistry and success.

Conclusion

The Phillies’ ‘Atta Boy Harper He Wasn’t Supposed To Hear It’ shirt was a fun and harmless way of trolling the Braves after their NLDS victory. It was inspired by Arcia’s comment after Game 2, which Harper responded to with two homers and two staredowns in Game 3. Kerkering, a rookie reliever who had impressed in the series, wore the shirt proudly during the celebration, showing his friendship with Harper and his confidence in himself. The shirt was a testament to the Phillies’ spirit and humor, as they advanced to the NLCS to face the Arizona Diamondbacks.