Bryce Harper was asked Thursday to describe what it is like to play in Philadelphia and answered perfectly, as only Bryce can.
"I don't think you can. I don't think you can really describe it until you really live it and understand what it's all about. And I think the message last year was like if you don't understand it, we don't want you here...It's passionate, it's hard, it's a lot of fun.
"I can't imagine playing anywhere else, it's the greatest place to play. Obviously people talk about other places and things like that, but there's nothing else that I would ever want to play in front of or play for or anything like that. It's the best fan base in all of sports. Everybody sees that and everybody is going to see that on Saturday when the bank turns red."
Harper joined the 94WIP Afternoon Show, where he was asked about Phillies owner John Middleton telling team that he wants his (bleeping) trophy back during the NL East clinching celebration.
"John's right, I think all of us want the trophy," Harper said. "Obviously he wants it in a different way...As a team, we face that as a challenge and we want that as well. I think the pressure is always there, especially playing in Philadelphia."
The Phillies will face their longtime divisional rivals, the New York Mets, in the National League Division Series beginning this weekend. The Mets visit South Philly for Games 1 and 2 on Saturday and Sunday.
Harper, 31, just completed his sixth regular season with the Phillies, with 42 doubles, 30 home runs, and 87 RBI.
On Saturday, Harper will begin his third postseason with the club and looks to add to his historic Phillies playoff resume. Harper is tied with teammate Kyle Schwarber for the franchise record in postseason home runs with 11.
"I feel good, I feel ready to go," Harper, who was banged up toward the end of the regular season, said on Thursday. "Mentally, physically, I feel ready to get this thing started on Saturday."