Sunday marked the Phillies’ 162nd game of the season, one that -quite frankly- couldn’t come quickly enough. Would it be Gabe Kapler’s final game as the manager? Could Matt Klentak and Andy MacPhail be shown the door by owner John Middleton? For a moment before the game, none of that mattered. The team’s massive free agent signing took to the mic and delivered a heartfelt message to those in attendance:

Harper: Welcome to today’s game. From myself and my teammates, just wanted to tell you guys thank you for all your support this year. I know it didn’t go as planned, but I believe in this organization. I believe in this city. And we will reign again. On a personal level, I just wanna say thank you so much for inviting me and my family into this city. It’s been an incredible year for myself… coming to a city that I didn’t really know anything about, but I just want to say thank you so much. You guys have made this year so good. Thank you. See you guys next year.

The bolded line is my own emphasis and I think it’s worth repeating. “I know it didn’t go as planned, but I believe in this organization.” Well, I guess it’s good someone does. Let the Joe Maddon, Joe Girardi, Dave Dombrowski, trade Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Nola can’t win a big game, etc., debates commence. T-minus 146 days until Grapefruit League play begins.