Aug 30, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) reacts in front of Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) after his double during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
When the Atlanta Braves visit Citizens Bank Park next week, they'll do so without arguably their most disliked player among Phillies fans.
The Braves announced Friday that they have designated infielder Orlando Arcia for assignment to make room for Ronald Acuña Jr., who is set to return from a torn left ACL that's sidelined him since last May.
Arcia became public enemy No. 1 at Citizens Bank Park during the 2023 postseason.
Michael Harris II is unreal pic.twitter.com/wZV335i1ce
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 10, 2023
After Bryce Harper was doubled up off first to end a Game 2 Phillies loss to the Braves in the NLDS, Jake Mintz wrote a great piece for FOX Sports that captured the scene in Atlanta's clubhouse:
“While Riley’s blast flipped the score, Harris’ outrageous snag and Harper’s consequent blunder was the talk of Atlanta’s locker room after the game. Kevin Pillar’s young son, sporting a custom ‘Money Mike’ headband, waddled over to his favorite center fielder for a fist bump. Third-string catcher Chadwick Tromp strutted by Harris’ locker offering a congratulatory ‘Mike is him!’ All while Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia cackled emphatically about Harper’s misfortune, bellowing ‘ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper,’ repeatedly as reporters circled the room.”
Arcia's comments obviously went viral, and when the series shifted back to Philadelphia for Game 3, fans at Citizens Bank Park greeted him with deafening boos. Harper, well aware of what was said, homered twice in Game 3, and famously stared at Arcia as he rounded the bases:
This is what Bryce Harper’s first home run sounded like at Citizens Bank Park, without commentators. ⚡️
[via @steph_turkey] pic.twitter.com/UI22Y8RKbm
👀👀👀
[via @_piccone] pic.twitter.com/hw7yFIQpxS
After the 10-2 win over the Braves, Harper acknowledged the gesture saying, "yeah, I mean I stared right at him."
Interestingly, Arcia stared down Harper after hitting a home run against the Phillies last August:
Orlando Arcia stared down Bryce Harper as he rounded first base.
The reality for the Braves is that Arcia has never matched the production he turned in during the first half of the 2023 season, which earned him an All-Star Game nod. Since the start of the 2024 season, Arcia is hitting just .216 with a .616 OPS.
It is August 21st, btw.
(via @ah_pod) pic.twitter.com/5KIIJVXU5K
Given that Arcia is only making $2 million this season, it's entirely possible the Braves will find a trade partner for the 30-year-old. Otherwise, he'll surely land with a team once he clears waivers.
Whatever team Arcia continues his career with, don't expect that a change of uniform will alter the reception he gets the next time he plays at Citizens Bank Park.
