Bryce Harper: Top 5 moments in a Nationals jersey

Now that Bryce Harper’s time with the Washington Nationals has come to an official, indisputable end, let’s look back on the fonder memories from his seven seasons in the big leagues.

From game-tying home runs in the postseason to one special Home Run Derby, these are Harper’s five best moments in a Nationals jersey:

5. Smashing a walk-off home run in 2015 with some attitude

Harper has hit plenty of walk-off homers in his career, but let’s pick one to start off this list. In 2015, the year he’d go on to win National League MVP, he delivered the Nationals a win over the Atlanta Braves with this classic bottom-of-the-ninth bomb. Make sure to watch at 1:17 for a close-up of his bat toss — and his stone-cold stare while doing so.

4. Stealing home plate against the Phillies as a rookie

Many years before the Phillies knew they would one day sign Harper, they suffered a bit of an embarrassment from him while he was just 19. After Cole Hamels put him on first with a HBP, Harper got around to third and stole home when Hamels tried to cut off the baserunner at first. Philadelphia fans should hope to see some of that hustle now at Citizens Bank Park.

3. Tying a 2014 NLDS game with a deep solo homer

This seventh-inning shot was deep, high and fair, and it found its way into McCovey Cove. It’s rare you find better moments than this, especially in the postseason. And yet, here’s one more…

2. Tying a 2017 NLDS game with another solo shot, this time at home

2017 was the last time the Nationals made the playoffs, and things were looking good after four games of this NLDS against the World Series-defending Cubs. But to win their first game of that series that they’d ultimately lose in five, the Nationals needed Harper to spark a Game 2 comeback with this long ball. From down 3-1 in the eighth inning, Washington came back to win 6-3.

1. Winning the 2018 Home Run Derby at Nationals Park

Bryce Harper won the Home Run Derby in the most dramatic way possible. pic.twitter.com/qpnvbcx0xe

— ESPN (@espn) July 17, 2018

The stars-and-stripes outfit. The home crowd. The fireworks. His dad pitching to him. It was a perfect storm for Nationals fans when Harper came from behind in the final round to beat Kyle Schwarber and win last year’s Home Run Derby during the All-Star Break.