(Bryce Harper Video via CSN Washington.com)
[UPDATE: Well, it didn't take long for the Bryce Harper "Blowin Kisses" t-shirts to appear.]
Guess Bryce Harper's left knee is feeling better? Not to be outdone by the excitement of the Nationals selections in the 2011 MLB Draft, Harper hit his 14th home run of the season for Hagerstown Monday night, then blew a kiss at the opposing pitcher as he rounded third base.
Interestingly, the Nationals didn't take any high school kids with their first 3 picks in the draft...
Here's a description of the incident, via the Hagerstown Herald-Mail:
Harper hit a one-out solo shot in the sixth to break a scoreless tie and start a two-run rally for the Suns. It also started bit of a drama.
That started in the first inning when Greensboro starter Zach Neal struck out Harper on a borderline call he didn’t care for to end the first inning.
“It never feels good to strike out,” Harper said. “You had a good guy out there from OU (Oklahoma). You don’t get many pitches that you can try to drive.”
Harper exacted his first step of revenge in the fourth when he grounded a single off of Neal’s foot in the fourth inning.
The rubber match came in the sixth. Harper stroked a 1-0 pitch over the wall in right-center field and took a little time to watch it clear the fence. There was some added interaction between Harper and Neal as he crossed the plate, causing Greensboro manager Andy Haines to come out of the dugout to protest.
(via Hagerstown Herald-Mail, 6/7/2011)
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Am I the only one who hopes this little snot-nosed punk dies in a horrible, fiery plane crash??
Posted by: Jason | June 07, 2011 at 05:34 AM
Yes, Jason, you're the only one. Seek help, buddy.
Posted by: The Nats Enquirer | June 07, 2011 at 08:26 AM
He did that because he was miffed that they plunked him yesterday, and he believes he did it on purpose. Context people. Context.
That said, it's a bush move. But the kids, especially the basketball fans out there, will love this stuff for better or worse.
Posted by: Souldrummer | June 07, 2011 at 09:21 AM
i dont want to see any accidents, but he needs to grow up or ride the bench.
Posted by: prc | June 07, 2011 at 09:28 AM
He's so GAY!!!!
Posted by: Nate Hale | June 07, 2011 at 10:18 AM
That was awesome. I want him to do that in Philly every fucking game.
Posted by: Steven Biel | June 07, 2011 at 10:20 AM
I was at this game, but his back was to me when he did this. If I was the other team, the ball would have been in his ear the next pitch, not on his knee. Grow up and be a professional...
Posted by: AntiBH | June 07, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Funny as hell, but I'm a Wizards basketball fan too - so that is probably why I find the whole thing humourous. We got the makings of a "Bad Boy" for the Nationals Major League Club....Hoo-Ya....
Posted by: CatsEye | June 07, 2011 at 10:54 AM
One word: Douche.
Posted by: Messi | June 07, 2011 at 11:15 AM
nice stache
Posted by: pj | June 07, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Where's the eyeblack?
Posted by: willy | June 07, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Nats brass has to quietly like this, even if the GM may not. Love him. Hate him. Your choice. But certainly watch him to see what Baseball Code he will violate next.
Guys like Barry Bonds were divas off the field, but the fans had to deal with it because he was so productive. Harper seems to be diva on the field. He better deliver the goods if he wants to behave this way.
Posted by: Souldrummer | June 07, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Just keep hitting him in the back until he decides to apologize.
Posted by: Baseball Man | June 07, 2011 at 04:04 PM
he is a kid - let him learn that he can't do that. you can't tell a kid that, he has to learn it, just like everyone did... he will be fine and benching him is not the answer. he will get one in the ear soon and think twice before doing that again. this is not high school or JC ball anymore - he will be fine. let him play and learn.
Posted by: BV9 | June 07, 2011 at 06:21 PM
a star in the making*i luv it*if u ever played beyond high school*u always want this guy on your team!!!!!!
Posted by: donnell | June 07, 2011 at 07:30 PM
I don't see anything wrong with it, it's a minor way to say back atcha for being hit by a pitch. I don't know if any of you "high and mighty" morally outraged sports fans have ever been plunked, but it hurts like hell. The fact that he waited to show his feelings until AFTER hitting the home run, rather than taking the pitchers head off right then, means a lot. It obviously meant enough for him to say in "your face bitch" on the field of play. If I was a manager, I'd be lovin it. It shows just the right amount of fire. I don't see this kid doing anything to really hurt or embarass the team, but he ain't goin to lay down and take it from nobody without givin it back.
Posted by: BigDaddyD. | June 07, 2011 at 08:46 PM
I went to school with this kid at CSN in Nevada, its his personality. He thinks hes Gods Gift to the World, if he trys that in the majors...good luck the next time your at bat, pitchers will lock on to his face and throw right at him. - and rightfully so.
Posted by: Natfan00 | June 07, 2011 at 08:49 PM
You guy's ever been hit by fastball going 85 mph? Context people...I love it! Baseball needs a little more excitement in my book.
Posted by: Jake | June 07, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Must be the water in Washington. Just some more bullsh*t coming out of our capital. Wait till some pitcher sticks one in his ear. He will gain alot of respect for the game in a hurry. Maybe our nation's leaders in Washington need a baseball stuck in their ear!
Posted by: buffy274 | June 08, 2011 at 12:38 AM
Almost as bad was stopping to watch the flight of the ball before he started to run. If he keeps this stuff up he'll pay eventually, as he should. Totally bush!
Posted by: Joel | June 08, 2011 at 11:18 AM
They're going to need a lot of mustard to cover this hot dog...
Posted by: insidehalf | June 08, 2011 at 12:53 PM
This joker is queerer than a $3 bill.
Posted by: Ace Gunz | June 08, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Looks like he is responding to the pitcher who was probably hollering at him as he took his time around the bases. He does need to be hit...every time he does this crap.
Posted by: Jeff | June 08, 2011 at 02:38 PM