So today was Bryce Harper Bobblehead day at Nationals Park, and Harper apparently put on a show during batting practice (photo of Harper taking his hacks by @ZacBoyer), his first since going down with his knee injury almost a month ago. Harper was impressed with the standing ovation and adoration he received from the early arriving crowd:
Well that felt unreal! #BP #Lovethefans
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) June 23, 2013
Even more unreal? The number of fans who lined up before gates opened at 11:00 for Bryce Harper Bobblehead Day. Check this photo by the great @_JakeRussell, taken just before 11:
And a shot from the other end, shortly after gates opened:
Line to get in and get bobbleheads. Gates are open. #natitude pic.twitter.com/L7D7k3YMNF
— Ryan Kelly (@RyanJKelly) June 23, 2013
And how about this Vine by Eric DeSalvo of fans running to get theirs:
And this was the prize:
CF Gates are now open for Bryce Harper Bobblehead Day! First 15,000 fans will receive giveaway pic.twitter.com/hFFVvFuFYC
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 23, 2013
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We went to see the Nats play in Cleveland last weekend, and the giveaway was a Jason Kipniss jersey -- the lines were epic.
Posted by: DCGirl | June 23, 2013 at 05:11 PM
In Baltimore they giveaway a freaking tshirt and the lines start 3 hours before game time.
Posted by: LMAO | June 24, 2013 at 07:13 AM
@LMAO -- are you talking about the Baltimore team that's averaging 5,000 fewer fans per game than the Nats? Just checking.
Also, these pictures were taken 2 hours and 35 minutes before game time, so it's a fair bet that many of the people at the front of the line got there at least 3 hours early.
Posted by: Jacques | June 24, 2013 at 09:14 AM
Great job with the pictures. 15,000 bobbleheads and a crowd of 39,307. The Nats are now ninth in attendance, of all MLB teams. This shows we, the fans, are supporting the Nats, even through the tough times.
However, I think it's time the Nats ownership and management spend some money to upgrade the roster, due to injuries and players not living up to what they have done in previous years. The Nats $13 million for Haren was worth a shot, but it didn't work. Now, they have to hope Taylor Jordan or Ross Ohlendorf can fill Haren's spot. If not, they need to make a deal, which probably will cost big money. But big crowds bring in big money.
At one time, yesterday, we had Kobernus, Lombardozzi, and Bernadina playing the outfield. @JCooperMartin
Posted by: John Cooper-Martin | June 24, 2013 at 09:50 AM