The Philadelphia Phillies are following the 2004 Eagles’ blueprint

As Matt Klentak, Bryce Harper & the Philadelphia Phillies surge ahead; they’re borrowing a page from Andy Reid, Terrell Owens & the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles.

The 2019 Philadelphia Phillies have Bryce Harper. With his arrival, hoards and hoards of Phillies fans have come together to overtake communities in support of their transcendent star. Whether pilgrimaging to sunny Clearwater, FL for his Spring Training debut, or invading the right-field seats at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, we’ve seen this story before. It took place some 15 years ago, and its star was Terrell Owens.

It has been said history repeats itself, and if the first six weeks of the Bryce Harper era are any indication, we’re on the verge of something special. The 2019 Philadelphia Phillies are the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles, and the parallels extend beyond two flamboyant personalities.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane…

More from Section 215

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

The date was April 17, 1999. A fresh-faced Andy Reid, several months after being appointed head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, would go on to select a young Syracuse quarterback by the name of Donovan McNabb with the second overall pick in the NFL draft. (The Cleveland Browns took Tim Couch first overall that year, serving as precursor to another future Browns favor when the team would trade away its second overall pick in 2016 to an Eagles team that would go on to select some guy named Wentz.)

With a young nucleus of talented players including Brian Westbrook, Shawn Andrews, Corey Simon, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, and a 31-year-old Brian Dawkins, Andy Reid and Co. were building towards something special. A few key veteran acquisitions following the 2003 season would help fill out the roster on a team that had lost three consecutive NFC Championship games.

Something different was brewing for 2004, and it began in the months preceding the season.

With the additions of LB Dhani Jones and DE Jevon Kearse, the Eagles decided this was the time to spend money on talented, big name free agents to help the Eagles get over the hump.

The team didn’t stop there. After an unexpected circumstance, the Eagles eventually landed their prized offseason target via trade with the Ravens. Terrell Owens, fresh off his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers, was headed east to join a talented Philadelphia Eagles offense in need of a potent, dynamic threat at wide receiver, and T.O. would prove to be that guy.

Rounding out the Eagles offseason included the re-acquisition of DE Hugh Douglas (cut by Jacksonville) and LB Jeremiah Trotter (waived by the Redskins).

The team was all set, and so, too, were the fans.

With Eagles training camp taking place on the campus of Lehigh University in the quaint little town of Bethlehem, PA, fans flocked to the hills in record numbers. Singing songs of “T.Oooo – T.O. – T.O., T.Ooooo – T.Ooooo – T.Oooo” enormous crowds greeted every move made by the Eagles’ newest weapon. A record 25,000 fans, in fact, with many more stuck in traffic jams that would ultimately miss out.

What inspired fans to make the hour and a half drive up north? Equal parts optimism and excitement to see the shiny new attraction in person, and to catch a glimpse of the team tasked with helping Philly claim its first Super Bowl championship at the time.

Equal parts optimism and excitement.

Hmmm…

The same two components leading Phillies fans to gobble up tickets and Harper merchandise in record numbers. The same components motivating Phillies fans to overtake an opponent’s ballpark on a cold, damp, dreary night in early April. And the same two components motivating fans to embark on a getaway to the palm tree-laden confines of beautiful Clearwater, FL for Grapefruit League action (of course the warm, aqua blue water and white sandy beaches that sit just down the road certainly help).

Not since Terrell Owens in 2004 has Philadelphia fallen head over heels in love with one of its players as much as it has Bryce Harper. Part of the allure is that he could have gone anywhere, and he chose to come here, much the same way Terrell Owens essentially did 15 years ago.

Yes, Philadelphia loves a winner, but more so we love a person that will compete with an all-out intensity, leaving nothing behind but blood, sweat, and tears sacrificed along the way.

This is Bryce Harper. This is Terrell Owens. This is the reason Philadelphians rejoice with such glee.

Rather than chanting “T.O.,” now we chant, “We got Harper.” Rather than flapping our wings with No. 81, we pump our fists with No. 3. And rather than singing, “Fly Eagles Fly,” we sing of “High Hopes” with each growing win.

And much like the feeling accompanying the 2004 Eagles into their regular season, the 2019 Phillies are on the verge of something special. And more than just a transcendent acquisition.

While the Phillies likely weren’t viewed as legitimate championship contenders following last season like their Eagles counterparts, they were trending up. Tallying 66 wins in 2017 and 80 in 2018, Matt Klentak did a good job of promoting a young core of promising players while fostering an environment of change.

Similar to Andy Reid in the earlier years, much of the talent on the present day roster has grown from roots planted by the previous regime. With the addition of Gabe Kapler and his forward-thinking approach, Klentak, who took over as GM in the fall of 2015, steadfastly awaited for the Phillies opportunity to strike.

That opportunity came this offseason.

With a young core led by Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins, Klentak added proven veterans Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, and David Robertson to help supplement the lineup. Much like Andy Reid added, “The Freak” – a.k.a. Jevon Kearse, Klentak added the best catcher in the game in J.T. Realmuto.

Then came the generational superstar: Terrell Owens…errr…Bryce Harper.

As we all know, Terrell Owens and the Eagles would march their way to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville where the dream ultimately fell short – albeit with T.O. basically playing on one leg. Even so, the players permanently lamented their rightful place in the hearts of Eagles fans everywhere, the same way this Phillies squad can do.

An impending divorce may have ensued for Terrell Owens and the Eagles in 2005, but there’s no reason to believe that Harper and the Phillies will end on such deplorable terms, even if history does tend to repeat itself.

As with all marriages, the key to working through differences is communication. Unlike Terrell Owens and the Eagles, Bryce Harper and Phillies brass seem to have established a firm grasp on this importance.

Through the optimism and excitement, there will be challenges. In the meantime, get your popcorn and hot dog ready.

We enjoyed the prequel; now it’s time for a Philadelphia Phillies thriller.