It's time to retire Bryce Harper's jersey

 

(#34 will be retired by College of Southern Nevada. Image via MLB.com/shop.)

#34 won't be retired in Washington any time soon. But the Las Vegas Sun reports that College of Southern Nevada will retire Bryce Harper's #34 in a ceremony next Friday:

Harper, who left high school after his sophomore year to play at CSN last spring, will have his No. 34 jersey retired by the school next Friday prior to the Coyotes’ season opener at its facility on the Henderson campus.

...His home run total (31) nearly tripled the school’s previous best of 12 long balls.
(via Las Vegas Sun.com, 1/21/2011)

And just last week, another former #1 pick of the Nationals (6th overall in 2007) had his jersey retired -- Holt High in St. Louis retired Ross Detwiler's #18 in a ceremony last Friday.

[Update] It's probably worth noting (as WFY suggested in the comments) that there's a good chance Bryce Harper will eventually wear No. 7 in Washington in honor of his idol, Mickey Mantle. Unfortunately at the moment there's the little problem of future Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez wearing No. 7 for the Nats, and (barring a trade), the Nats are stuck with him until the end of 2011 when his current contract runs out. Here's a Bryce Harper quote from his introductory presser in August, talking about his decision to wear No. 34 (for the time being):

"I always loved Mickey Mantle," Harper said of why he chose No.34. "Three and four equals seven."
(via Nationals Journal, 8/26/2010)

In other news, anonymous sources with no knowledge of the situation report that the College of Southern Nevada might be considering a name change to the College of Bryce Harper.

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Comments

[WFY]

Given how much Harper likes Mickey Mantle, I kind of expect him to wear #7 in D.C.

[The Nationals Enquirer]

You're probably right -- but of course that can't happen until 2012, when Pudge (currently #7) is gone. At his introductory presser, his quote on #34 was:

"I always loved Mickey Mantle," Harper said of why he chose No.34. "Three and four equals seven." (via Nationals Journal)

So he can hit AND do math! (who needs to finish HS?)

But will be interesting to see if he shows up to Hagerstown this spring wearing #7...and what # he wears in Washington when he gets called up in September ;)

[ernie kyger]

when mickey came up, he first wore number 6. so if bryce changed to 7 eventually, it would be what mickey did