Bryce Harper paid tribute to his first major league manager, Davey Johnson, after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Saturday at loanDepot park. The home run, which traveled a projected 401 feet according to Statcast, gave Philadelphia an early lead that they maintained throughout the game.
Harper learned of Johnson’s death the previous day. Johnson managed Harper during his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals on April 28, 2012. Reflecting on their relationship after the game, Harper said, “Davey Johnson gave me the opportunity to be a big leaguer. He was one of the better people I’ve ever been around. Just a lot of fun to play for him. He loved young players, and [was] one of the funnier managers I’ve ever played for.
“Just a baseball guy. Definitely gonna be missed in the baseball circle, and just an all-around great human.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson also commented before Saturday’s game: “Obviously, Davey was a great player and great manager,” he said. “Harp was saying he really loved him, because Davey loved young guys.
“Harp felt like he got to the big leagues a little bit earlier than he would have with some other manager. … He really loved him.”
In addition to Harper’s homerun accounting for half of Philadelphia’s runs, Harrison Bader and Bryson Stott each drove in runs during the fourth inning. The victory moved Philadelphia (83-59) further ahead in their division race as they kept pressure on division rivals.
Pitcher Jesús Luzardo earned his 13th win of the season and his first against Miami since being traded from there to Philadelphia in December 2024. Luzardo recorded eight strikeouts over six innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and four walks.
The matchup held added significance for Luzardo as he faced former teammate Sandy Alcantara, who won the Cy Young Award in 2022 and is returning from Tommy John surgery this season.
“Sandy’s good,” Harper said. “He’s been good for a long time. Obviously, he’s got really good stuff, and it’s been a tough year for him, coming back from the Tommy John [surgery]. But he’s still got 98 in the tank with that slider and that changeup.”
Harper hit his home run off Alcantara after seeing several different pitches during his first at-bat.
“He’s one of the best in baseball,” Harper said. “So it’s always fun going up against him, and I’m just happy we were able to get ahead and get those runs on the board.”
At age 32, Harper has become one of MLB’s most established players but credits lessons learned under Johnson for shaping his approach: “Just have fun,” Harper said. “He enjoyed it every day. He enjoyed going in there and being around the guys.… His door was always open for players to come in and talk to him, and he was always teaching.”
Since returning from injury earlier this season—after missing much of June—Harper has posted strong numbers both offensively and defensively across July and August as Philadelphia continues its postseason push.
