You can cross "collide with an umpire" off the list of Bryce Harper's Big League firsts now. Of course, Harper has had run-ins with umpires before.
Until the seventh inning Sunday, Byrce Harper's infield hit in the first inning was the only hit registered by the Nats off the D-backs Patrick Corbin. That hit saw Harper crash into first base umpire Mike Muchlinski trying to advance to second on the errant throw. Harper's next attempt to advance to second was even worse: picked off first base moments later.
Turned out to be that kind of day for the Nats, but give 'em credit: through it all they still managed to get the tying run to the plate in the 9th. Onward.
(Screen caps via MASN/TV)
Harper's collision puts the Umpires on notice about the later's aggressive base running trait. Been watching baseball for a long time, but truthfully haven't seen anything like this before (probably haven't watched enough games). I would think that future Umps will make it a point to watch out for the "Train"!
Posted by: "DC Doug" | August 15, 2012 at 08:21 AM