It was a frustrating afternoon all around in Denver for Bryce Harper, and Rockies reliever Jake Bird managed to end Harper’s day early.
With the Rockies up four runs in the seventh inning, Bird worked around two walks to get out of the inning with no runs allowed. As he was walking off the mound, Bird appeared to say something to the Phillies dugout. Harper clearly did not appreciate Bird talking trash after a shaky performance, but he could have let it go.
Instead, Harper emerged from the dugout to shout back at Bird, and the Rockies pitcher responded by clapping his glove mockingly at Harper — not exactly a way to de-escalate a situation.
Harper was going at it with Rockies pitcher Jake Bird after Bird clapped his glove at him pic.twitter.com/ZU7bpJU8kn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 14, 2023
We've got a brawl underway in Colorado and Bryce Harper is at the center of it pic.twitter.com/81PcXV1cT0
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 14, 2023
That led to the benches and bullpens clearing as both teams tried to separate Harper and Bird. As far as an altercation, it was mostly shouting. It didn’t escalate beyond that or become an actual basebrawl. Both Bird and Harper would get ejected for their part in the scrum.
MLB fans also had thoughts on that scene in Denver.
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This was how Twitter reacted
Bryce, chill bro https://t.co/d1dKhdcaN7
— Alphonso Davis Jr (@Beerfonz77) May 14, 2023
Dinger makes this video https://t.co/Ds4ZZN6scK
— Robyn Hearn (@robynehearn) May 14, 2023
Not sure 12 balls on 20 pitches with two walks warrants a taunt while walking off the mound https://t.co/56YNGbAWtm
— Michael Quinn ☻ (@ByMichaelQuinn) May 14, 2023
Bryce and his fake tough guy persona just stay in the dugout https://t.co/GgPy1VAacc
— BunBun 🦅 (@RealBunBun) May 14, 2023
Take note, Joel and James! https://t.co/kqpUuAIwwO
— FakeWIPCaller (@FakeWIPCaller) May 14, 2023
Imagine being Jake Bird chirping Bryce Harper… https://t.co/IdZfSXGG8i
— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 14, 2023
https://t.co/17bTcz7D1G pic.twitter.com/aeMDZD15TS
— Shane Dahlstrom (@gelatoboii) May 14, 2023
With any due respect to Jake Bird, it is pretty wild to taunt Bryce Harper when you are Jake Bird. https://t.co/Hzafk2OBKc
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) May 14, 2023
Bohm trying to hold Harper back😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/GPMxweRwyH
— Tanner (@TOside19) May 14, 2023