As Bryce Harper prepares for his first game in the District as an opponent, he sent a message thanking fans, the Nationals organization and the entire D.C. area.
In a message on Instagram, Harper wrote that he was 鈥渟o blessed to have been able to play for a fan base that cared so much about our team each and every night. You will always hold a special place in my heart no matter what.鈥�
Harper shouted out several of his favorite D.C. spots, including Filomena鈥檚, Silver Diner and Arlington鈥檚 Italian Store, and added, 鈥淵ou, Nationals fans, made me one of your own for the entire time I was a part of the Nationals organization.鈥�
He also thanked the Lerner family and general manager Mike Rizzo for their 鈥渦nwavering support,鈥� and said of the staff on the team and at the ballpark, 鈥淓very day I walked in, I got a smile or shared a laugh with you.鈥�
鈥淚f you would have told me [five] years ago I would be walking into Nationals Park as an opposing player, I would鈥檝e told you that you were crazy,鈥� Harper said, adding that he was confident that 鈥渨hen I run on the field tonight I am sure to hear some boos, but I will always remember the cheers and the screams that are still with me right now, as I start my new chapter. So for that, DC, THANK YOU.鈥�
He also said he would continue his , which allows kids battling various cancers to have an outing at Nats Park, and would make sure 鈥渢he legacy fields bearing my name are the best youth fields in town!鈥�
Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies last month after spending the first seven years of his career with the Nationals. He won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2012 and Most Valuable Player in 2015, and won the All-Star Home Run Derby in Nats Park last year.
He鈥檚 hit two homers in his first three games with the Phillies, helping them to a 3-0 start, and on Monday he and his wife, Kayla, announced they were expecting a baby boy.
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