Braves’ $72 Million Star Sends Phillies Message After Infamous Robbery

As the Philadelphia Phillies head into their series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, they will be looking to make up some ground in the National League East division race, with the rival Atlanta Braves within reach.

The two clubs aren’t strangers to late-season standings battles, but the latest race is a bit of a surprise given just how poorly the Phillies started this season and the once-sizeable lead that was built up by the Braves.

“The dog days of summer are about to give way to a heated stretch run in Major League Baseball,” Steve Gardner wrote for USA Today this week. “The Atlanta Braves saw their lead in the NL East whittled down to three games by the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies, potentially setting the stage for a competitive division race we didn’t think we’d have down the stretch.”

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The rivalry between the Phillies and Braves has produced plenty of memorable moments and it looks like fans can count on some more in the near future.

But in the meantime, Braves star Michael Harris II sent a message about just how meaningful one recent robbery against the division rival was for his career.

“I’d say the one in Philly where I had to climb the wall, reach over a little bit,” Harris told Bleacher Report of his favorite home run robbery of his career, referencing a stunning 2024 play at Citizens Bank Park. “I didn’t think it was going to be a homer off (the) rip. So I had to just follow the ball and having to reach over and it went in (my glove), so yeah.”

Phillies and Braves fans are likely to remember the play, as it was instantly a contender for the best catch of the year and came amid yet another fierce competition between the division rivals right around this time of year.

On August 31, 2024, former Phillies outfielder Austin Hayes sent a ball toward the right-center-field wall. Somehow, Harris tracked it down and managed to make the catch while reaching over the wall, briefly leaving his upper body hanging above the fence as he secured what appeared destined to be a home run.

“The Harris catch is one of the best catches you will ever see in this game,” the Phillies manager at the time, Rob Thomson, said, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “It was just tremendous. I couldn’t believe he came up with it.”

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The Phillies ultimately won that game 3-0, but the catch might have salvaged something for Braves fans, who often relish the chance to demoralize their long-time division rival.

Harris has emerged as one of Atlanta’s most important young players since reaching the majors, combining defensive range with offensive potential. His eight-year, $72 million contract reflects the organization’s belief that he can remain a cornerstone for years to come with the chance to rob many more potential Phillies’ home runs.

Now, as the Braves attempt to hold off a surging Phillies team, Harris will have more opportunities to impact a rivalry that has already supplied him with one unforgettable memory.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com