One young Philadelphia Phillies fan had a day he won’t ever forget on Thursday–all thanks to an emotional outburst from Bryce Harper.
Called out on strikes by umpire Angel Hernandez who clearly was in the wrong, Harper exploded, earning a quick ejection and then tossed his batting helmet into the stands as he made his way back to the dugout.
Bryce Harper Throws Phillies Helmet into Stands After Angel Hernandez Ejection.#AngelHernandez#BryceHarper pic.twitter.com/vzYO0E56J5
— News Express 24H (@newsexpress24h) September 29, 2023
Say what you will about Harper losing his cool but young Hayden Dorfman was in the right place at the right time, snaring the helmet, which Harper not only told him to keep, but signed and inscribed it.
Here is Hayden Dorfman, age 10, who caught the helmet Harper threw after he was ejected tonight. A few security guards approached him and told him Harper wanted to sign it.
He said Harper is his favorite player and added that this is “the best baseball game he’s ever been to” pic.twitter.com/uq4J3Ylhwf
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) September 29, 2023
Considering the provenance and the story behind it, the helmet is worth at least several thousand dollars.
Hayden chronicled how he wound up with the helmet in a short interview that you’ve got to watch….
Ten-year-old #Phillies fan Hayden Dorfman might have been the luckiest kid in the ballpark after getting Bryce Harper’s helmet. He might even have a future in comedy after describing how he ended up with it. Full video from @NBCSPhilly here: https://t.co/WqbeUZDDp8 pic.twitter.com/9DE5bbyB5D
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) September 29, 2023
Harper said he regretted getting kicked out of the game in the third inning, depriving fans who might not be able to afford postseason tickets the chance to see him play a little more but was glad to at least send a young Phillies fan home with a souvenir.
“I was happy I was able to do that for him and sign that for him but I wish I could have hit a homer or done something different in the game, to make his night.”
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