Bryce Harper Reignites Fiery Braves Feud With Hilarious Callback Gear

Bryce Harper might not have a World Series ring yet, but his Hall of Fame resume in cleats is undeniable. For the unversed, the Phillies star and first baseman dropped the Under Armour Harper 10s in a big way. He stayed true to his rep for pushing the limits not only with his play but also with his gear. And since the past decade, Harper and Under Armour have been setting trends with his bold, stylish cleats.

Just last week at Citi Field, he turned heads rocking bright orange batting gloves and blue cleats against the Mets, a subtle nod to the rivalry. But in the Phillies’ most recent matchup with the Braves, Harper took things even further. His cleats told a story, a callback to his history with Atlanta in 2023. So, one thing’s for sure: Bryce Harper doesn’t forget.

“Bryce Harper is wearing cleats that say ‘atta boy’ against the Braves on Sunday Night Baseball, a callback to Orlando Arcia’s comments after Game 2 of the 2023 NLDS,” Jomboy Media reported.

Remember the “atta boy” incident?

Flash back to Game 2 of the 2023 NLDS. After Atlanta’s 5-4 win, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia was caught celebrating in the clubhouse with a jab at Bryce Harper — “Atta boy, Harper”. That’s after Harper had been doubled off on the bases thanks to Michael Harris’ highlight-reel catch and a perfect relay to end the game.

But that little dig came back to haunt the Braves in a big way just two days later. Yes, Harper responded with two home runs in Game 3, staring down Arcia after each one as he carried the Phillies to a 10-2 win. But guess what, Harper hasn’t forgotten. In the latest matchup with Atlanta, he showed up wearing cleats that read atta boy. This time, though, the Braves had the last laugh.

Harper’s rivalry pack is making some noise

If you remember, in the last offseason, Harper opened up about his gear and how he uses it as a way to express himself on the field. He even teased what he called the rivalry pack, a plan to rock team-colored gear against certain opponents. For example, during the Phillies’ home opener against the Rockies back in March, Under Armour hooked him up with custom Phantastic cleats. And since then, he’s had a pair designed for just about every big milestone of the regular season.

So, what’s next? While Harper’s cleats have already turned heads for all kinds of reasons, there’s really only one stage left: a World Series edition. The only problem? Harper is still chasing that elusive first ring, and with his mid-30s approaching, the clock is ticking.

That said, the Phillies are in a prime position this year. They’re sitting on top of the NL East, six games clear of the Mets. And so, the path feels as open as it’s ever been for Harper. If he makes it to the Fall Classic, fans can’t wait to see not just how he plays. But what statement his cleats will make when he finally steps onto the World Series stage.