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Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek since 2024 and previously worked at MLB.com, Wisconsin Sports Heroics and Heavy.com. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. You can get in touch with Aaliyan by emailing a.mohammed@newsweek.com
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The Philadelphia Phillies won the National League East on Monday night. Amid the celebration, Bryce Harper sent an important message.
Harper is one of the best players of this generation. He has multiple MVP Awards, All-Star selections and Silver Sluggers. However, he does not have a World Series ring.
He and the Phillies are hoping to change that this season. While the team rightfully celebrated its division championship, Harper made sure to emphasize the importance of keeping the ball rolling. He understands that even though winning the division is an important milestone, but he made it clear Phillies have bigger goals.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 15, 2025 in Los…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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“We just got to keep going,” Harper said, per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. “Keep understanding we’ve got a bigger picture. We have things on our mind that we want to win.”
The Phillies reached the World Series in 2022, but fell short against the Houston Astros. Harper had a phenomenal postseason in 2022 and will try to lead the Phillies to the promised land this year. Harper’s comments make it clear where he stands in terms of what lies in his team’s future. They have World Series aspirations, and winning the division is not a reason to take the foot off the gas.
Major League Baseball is unique in its lengthy schedule and daily grind. It makes division championships worth celebrating in a grand way. It is not easy to win the division, but now the real journey starts for the Phillies.
The team has taken its first step in making a deep run. The Phillies are still trying to claim the top seed in the National League, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers. The Phillies are in a position to have a bye through the wild card round, but claiming the top seed in the NL would be another achievement for them.
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