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Home , Andrew McCutchen, Citizens Bank Park, Gabe Kapler, James Pazos, Jean Segura, Jorge Alfaro

SPORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 • B1 THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY NFL B3 // HIGH SCHOOLS B4 // CLASSIFIEDS B7-9, 12-14 // COMICS/TV/PUZZLES B10-11 MLB The Bryce is right MUST WIN Harper will put Philly atop list of contenders MICHAEL MCGARRY

Pete Rose arrived in in 1979 and changed the Phillies franchise forever. Three years earlier, Julius Erving ALEX BRANDON / came to the Sixers and eventually , the 2018 Derby champion last July, ended his long offseason team hunt, signing with the for a made that franchise a champion. record-breaking contract. at 13 years and $330 million, it’s the largest free agent contract in MLB and north american sports history. Now, it’s Bryce Harper’s turn. The Phillies signed the free agent to a reported 13-year, $330 million contract Thursday afternoon. Star OF signs with Phillies for $330M The 26-year-old is about to enter the prime of his career. With a RONALD BLUM PHILLIES’ MAJOR OFFSEASON MOVES he well in, saw the ball well.” career .393 on-base percentage Associated Press Dec. 3: Traded 1B Carlos Santana and SS Harper has a .279 career average and .496 , J.P. Crawford to Seattle for SS , with 184 homers and 521 RBIs, Harper changes how every hitter in NEW YORK — It took a long time rHP and LHP . including a .268 average with 14 the Phillies will be and a lot of money, but the Philadel- homers, 32 RBIs and a .930 OPS in 47 pitched to. Everyone in the lineup phia Phillies finally landed Bryce Dec. 12: Signed oF andrew McCutchen to games at Citizens Bank Park. He likely will see more pitches to hit Harper with a record contract. a three-year, $50 million deal. would hit third or fourth, according because want to avoid fac- The young star outfielder and the to Kapler. ing Harper with men on base. Phillies agreed Thursday to a $330 Jan. 3: Signed rHP David robertson to a “We get a whole lot better on the For his career, Harper hits a million, 13-year contract, the largest two-year, $23 million deal. field,” the said. “Bryce Harp- every 17.97 at-bats. With deal in baseball history. er is a sensational teammate.” that type of power, he is capable of Harper’s agent, -based Feb. 8: Traded C Jorge alfaro, rHP Sixto Harper’s agreement tops the previ- carrying the Phillies by himself for , said the deal was agreed Sanchez, LHP Will Stewart and future con- ous high for a free agent, set last week weeks, months or even a season. to at 1:34 p.m., subject to a successful siderations to Miami for C J.T. realmuto. when infielder This had already been a success- physical. signed a $300 million, 10-year deal ful offseason for the Phillies if they Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and Feb. 28: Signed oF Bryce Harper to a with the . Harper’s didn’t sign Harper. They turned his players learned of the agreement 13-year, $330 million deal. average annual value of $25.4 million themselves into from fans behind Philadelphia’s dug- ranks 14th in baseball history, well East contenders with the additions out who saw media reports on their POLL ONLINE below the high of $34.1 million set by of Jean Segura, outfielder mobile devices during a spring train- Arizona as part Andrew McCutchen, relief pitcher ing game in Clearwater, Florida. Do you agree with the Phillies signing of a $206.5 million, six-year contract David Robertson and J.T. “If the reports are true, it’s a huge Bryce Harper? Give your opinion at that started in 2016. Realmuto. moment for our baseball team,” PressofAC.com/Sports. Harper gets a $20 million signing But Harper makes the Phillies Kapler said. “Certainly I think that the bonus in equal installments this June the NL East favorite and a World city of Philadelphia would embrace 1 and Nov. 1, a $10 million salary this Series contender. Bryce Harper. I think he would be ton reached before the 2015 season year, $26 million in each of the fol- The signing helps the Phillies off very happy in this city because our with the . lowing nine seasons and $22 million the field, too. Philadelphia is a fans care deeply about winning.” “Harp’s goal was he wanted the in each of the last three years. None sports market built on superstars. A 26-year-old All-Star who had largest contract and he wanted his of the money is deferred, and he gets The Eagles have , the spent his entire big league career with value,” Boras said. “He wanted the a full no- provision. Flyers have Claude Giroux, and the the , Harper largest length he could get because he Philadelphia will forfeit its Sixers feature Joel Embiid and Ben topped the $325 million, 13-year really wanted to stay in one city and Simmons. Now, the Phillies have agreement outfielder Giancarlo Stan- one uniform, wanted to get a ballpark See HARPER, B5 See MCGARRY, B5

STATE HIGH SCHOOL INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL / S.J. PUBLIC III QUARTERS (1) MainLanD rEGionaL 46, (9) aBSEGaMi 34 Four remain in contention Watson returns, ’Stangs move on for state title after first day AHMAD AUSTIN For The Press JOHN O’KANE For the Press LINWOOD — Kylee Watson wasted no time ATLANTIC CITY — making her presence felt And then there were in top-seeded Mainland four. Regional High School’s A total of 28 wrestlers 46-34 win over Absega- came to Jim Whelan mi in the South Jersey Boardwalk Hall on Group III quarterfinals. Thursday for the first Just seconds after win- day of the state individ- ning the opening tip, ual championships with she found herself on the dreams of winning a low block for the first state title. two points of the game. MATTHEW STRABUK / FOR THE PRESS Lacey Township’s A few possessions Mainland’s Claudia Mairone attempts a shot during Hunter Gutierrez, later, Absegami’s offense Thursday’s S.J. Group iii quarterfinal against absegami. a Southern Regional’s CHARLES J. OLSON / FOR THE PRESS raced for what looked Southern regional’s nicholas o’Connell, left, beats St. photo gallery is attached to this story at HSLive.me. Nick O’Connell and like an easy fast-break augustine Prep’s Connor Kraus in a 152-pound pre-quarterfi- John Stout, and St. nal match Thursday during the state individual wrestling score; that is, before the tournament Feb. 15, it whole different experi- Augustine Prep’s Mike tournament at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in atlantic City. 6-foot-4 Watson came was safe to say Watson ence, especially in a Misita each won twice soaring in for a chase- was back. playoff atmosphere.” Thursday to keep those ish as high as third in school wrestling in New down block. “I definitely missed Watson finished with hopes alive. the state. Jersey. After missing the last (the game),” the junior 18 points, seven The remaining 24 will Only the top wrestlers “I absolutely love few games due to a head forward said after the rebounds, four assists have to work their way in the state get to com- this,” Misita said with a injury she sustained in win. “I have fun cheer- and two blocks. through the consolation pete at Boardwalk Hall the first round of the ing my girls on, but bracket and can still fin- — the pinnacle of high See STATES, B4 Cape-Atlantic League being out there’s a See MAINLAND, B4

BACK FROM THE BOOTH UNION BEGIN SATURDAY NASCAR Jason Witten leaves broadcasting to Ernst Tanner wanted the challenge when Kyle Busch signs an extension with Joe rejoin the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year he became the Philadelphia MLS club’s Gibbs racing. B6 deal. B3 new sporting director. B5