"MLB: The Show" knows how to market, if nothing else.
The baseball video game's Twitter account teased a big announcement on its page Tuesday, piquing the interest of baseball fans. Phillies fans took it to mean that cover athlete Bryce Harper would be signing with their favorite team.
You'll want to keep an eye on this account tomorrow... just saying.
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 28, 2019
Get hyped: https://t.co/MeSPqa1pm2 pic.twitter.com/TIBlOBgif0
Needless to say, the announcement was far from anything involving Harper or the Phillies.Just don't say that in front of the @Phillies fans... https://t.co/3vzIm8MvPj
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 28, 2019
One whiff and you'll be hooked...
— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 29, 2019
Small dab, #BigSexy : https://t.co/hHvG5r9UKF pic.twitter.com/V3tW4fGP0z
Unsurprisingly, the presence of Bartolo Colon rather than Harper on the video game's timeline prompted some less-than-happy Phillies fans who had hoped their dreams of Harper patrolling right field in Citizens Bank Park would become a reality.
MORE: Harper headlines top 79 free agents
Many used Jim Carrey GIFs or voiced their displeasure about turning "MLB: The Show" tweet notifications on to show their unhappiness about the lack of news.
This isn’t Harper news. Why did I turn on tweet notifications for this
— Jack G (@jguugs) January 29, 2019
Me if @Bharper3407 doesn’t sign with the @Phillies today. And @MLBTheShow just schooled everyone #impatientlywaiting pic.twitter.com/951ieZy00b
— Kelly Beyer (@kbeyer607) January 29, 2019
You just lost a customer
— Aunt Tim (@JWat23) January 29, 2019
Never thought I’d be getting trolled by a damn videogame
— Mike Hurley (@MikeJHurley) January 29, 2019
— Sam Kulp (@kulp_sam) January 29, 2019
If Bryce Harper doesn’t actually sign with the Phillies today.... pic.twitter.com/5TertFWo0W
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 29, 2019
It would not be wise of @MLBTheShow to mislead the Philadelphia fanbase on something as big as a Bryce Harper signing
— Paul Caracciolo (@windowtothepaul) January 29, 2019
...which is probably exactly what they're doing and I'm just setting myself up for disappointment again ok great thanks #Phillies
Wow just got an email from Billy McFarland offering me tickets to a meet and greet with Bryce Harper in Philly tonight it’s really happening you guys
— tyler donchez (@tylerdonchez) January 29, 2019
Me trying to enjoy these Bryce Harper rumors while still expecting to be disappointed: pic.twitter.com/0q9263tONc
— Jordan Lawson (@darealjlaw) January 29, 2019