MLB power slugger Bryce Harper wants his adventure in London this week to be longer than just a quick business trip.
And the Philadelphia Phillies star came up with a perfect solution for Major League Baseball brass to extend the journey.
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The Phillies face the New York Mets at London Stadium in a two-game series on June 8th and 9th.
They will have around a day and a half to explore the British capital before the business weekend.
Speaking to select UK media, Harper admitted: “I kind of wish it was longer.
“I wish we had about a week there, bringing four teams, playing like a round robin for a week and a half and really checking it out and having fun.
“But it will be such a quick trip in and out.
“We’re excited for the fans and being able to play in front of a different fan base will be fun.”
The Mets and Phillies series is the third to be held in London since 2019.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were the first teams to cross the Atlantic five years ago.
And last year the Chicago Cubs faced the St Louis Cardinals in a series that was postponed from 2020 following the Covid pandemic.
As it stands, there are no plans for an MLB series in London next year, with the next one scheduled for 2026.
The Phillies are on a roll this season, both at home and away.
His 36-14 start was his best record through the first 50 games of a season in franchise history.
It was also the best start in MLB since the Seattle Mariners won 38 of 50 games in 2001 – 23 years ago.
“Our starting pitchers have been unbelievable for us this year,” Harper said.
“I think batting at the right time, a lot of our youngsters are also bowling well.
Home runs and boomsticks
MLB is back in London for the third time this summer when the Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets.
The London Stadium will transform from a football field to a baseball field for the June 8 and 9 spectacle.
Fans attending games can indulge in some extravagant stadium menu items, like boomstick nachos (pictured) and a 2-foot boomstick hot dog.
The New York Yankees won both games in 2019 against the rival Boston Red Sox.
And the Chicago Cubs split their series with the St Louis Cardinals when the teams meet in 2023.
“Any guy who gets a call is doing his job.
“Collectively, I think we did a great job on that.”
Philadelphia lost in the World Series two years ago and fell in the National League Championship Series last season.
This year they are in the best position they have ever been in at this stage and are ready for another push towards winning their first championship since 2008.
“Obviously we want to win to win the division and that’s our main goal right now is to win the division and get there that way,” Harper explained.
“We just need to play good baseball. It’s a long season, we’re on the short side right now and we have a long way to go.”
“We don’t have Trea Turner in the lineup right now and he’s important to us.
“We hope to get him back soon and get the guys healthy and stronger.
“But if our starters keep doing what they’re doing, I think we’ll win a lot of games.”
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The New York Mets will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2024 on June 8-9 at London Stadium. Tickets are now available at
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
