It didn’t take long for fireworks to fly in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The Citizens Bank crowd barely had time to settle in before Bryce Harper sent them into a frenzy.
The Phillies star launched a towering 439-foot home run to straightaway center field in the first inning against the Red Sox, marking a career milestone — his 350th home run — and reminding baseball fans that few swing it louder in the game today. The ball left Harper’s bat at 110.8 mph, a no-doubter the second it took off.
Harper Makes History as the Youngest Active Player to Hit 350
At 32 years old, Harper is now the youngest active player to reach 350 career homers. Only seven other active players have eclipsed that mark:
- Giancarlo Stanton (434)
- Mike Trout (395)
- Paul Goldschmidt (370)
- Manny Machado (360)
- Freddie Freeman (353)
- Nolan Arenado (351)
- Aaron Judge (351)
Harper joins that elite company not just as a member, but as a serious threat to climb that list fast. With two homers already since the All-Star break, the Phillies slugger looks ready for a second-half push.
Power Surge in Philly
Harper wasn’t the only Phillie making noise early. Just before his milestone moment, Kyle Schwarber crushed a 409-foot bomb of his own to plate Trea Turner and give Philadelphia an early 3-0 lead. That’s the kind of one-two punch that can shift momentum in a game — or a season.
With Bryce Harper heating up and Kyle Schwarber in launch mode, the Phillies’ lineup is showing flashes of October energy in July. And if Bryce Harper continues swinging like this, there’s no telling what milestone is next.
