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The Spectacle Blog
On Saturday, 19-year old Bryce Harper made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals. He was called up as a result of Ryan Zimmerman being put on the 15-Day DL after injuring his shoulder.
Harper was the first round pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. It was fitting that Harper should make his MLB debut with Stephen Strasburg pitching for the Nats. Strasburg was the number one pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.
After bouncing out to the pitcher in the top of the second and flying out to left field in the top of the fifth, Harper got his first big league hit in the top of the seventh when he hit a long double over Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp’s head. Harper ran hard to second base. He’s got a little Pete Rose in him.
In the bottom of the seventh, Harper flashed his arm. After A.J. Ellis singled, Harper fired a strike from left field to home plate but Jerry Hairston, Jr. knocked the ball out of Wilson Ramos’ glove and tied the game 1-1. Harper’s gun is almost as good as Rick Ankiel’s. Of course, when Mike Morse returns to the lineup it could be Ankiel who is the odd man out.
Harper then drove in his first big league run on a sacrifice fly in the 9th giving the Nats a 2-1 lead. The Nats added a run on a single by Ramos.
Unfortunately, the Nats bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. The Dodgers tied it in the bottom of the 9th on a wild pitch by Henry Rodriguez.
The Dodgers won the game in the bottom of the 10th on a walk off homerun by (who else?) Matt Kemp. It was Kemp’s 11th homerun of the season. As Kemp rounded the bases, Dodgers fans were chanting, “MVP!!! MVP!!!”
Well, it’s still April. But I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from both Matt Kemp and Bryce Harper before the season is done.
I also have a feeling the 19-year old Harper will be facing 49-year old Jamie Moyer. When that happens the generation gap will be but sixty feet, six inches apart.
View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/04/29/harper-shines-in-mlb-debut-but
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Bob S| 4.29.12 @ 2:43AM
"He's got a little Pete Rose in him."
Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch!
"Well, it's still April."
Well, at least you don't allow wild-eyed speculation unchecked all the time!
Aaron Goldstein| 4.29.12 @ 4:07AM
I'm referring to Harper's hustle. Besides, I said he's got a little Pete Rose in him. That's different from saying Harper is the next Pete Rose.
Truth to Power| 4.29.12 @ 12:04PM
Is he gambling and womanizing already?
Paul Zummo | 4.29.12 @ 9:29AM
In all seriousness, I wonder if that will be the greatest age disparity in MLB history for a pitcher-batter combo. I would assume the only bigger one would have to involve Satchel Paige.
Aaron Goldstein| 4.29.12 @ 12:50PM
On September 25, 1965, 59-year old Satchel Paige started one game for the Kansas City Athletics against the Boston Red Sox. He pitched three innings.
He was at least 30 years older than six members of the Red Sox starting lineup. However, the biggest age gap was 38 and a half years between Paige and Tony Conigliaro who was 20 years old. Conigliaro flied out.
http://www.baseball-almanac.co.....6509250KC1
Paul McGrath| 4.29.12 @ 3:55PM
Poor Conigliaro. Tragedy. Based on his early years, it appeared he was going to have a terrific career, perhaps Hall of Fame.
But, well, career-ending injuries happen in all sports. What is even more tragic is that, at still a young age, he suffered a heart attack and stroke, and was dead at the age of 45.
Who knows whether the blast to his face had anything to do with it. If you look at the pictures of him taken afterward, you have to wonder.
Aaron Goldstein| 4.29.12 @ 7:01PM
Tony C. had 100 HR by the time he was 22.
Yet despite the injury, he made a valiant comeback and enjoyed productive seasons in both 1969 and 1970 with 20 HR & 82 RBI and 36 HR & 116 RBI, respectively.
The Red Sox traded Tony C. to the California Angels prior to the '71 season but his vision problems returned. He returned to Boston in '75 for fewer than two dozen games before retiring for good.
Tony C. actually suffered a heart attack and stroke when he was 37 on his way to a job interview. He slipped into a coma and died eight years later.
Bob Grant| 4.29.12 @ 11:33PM
Meanwhile back at the ranch may I suggest watching a winner-take-all soccer match tomorrow between Manchester United V Manchester City (aka The Manchester Derby, the 168th edition), an epic battle for the Premier League Championship which will be watched by more people worldwide that the Super Bowl.
Methinks you'll instead be watching yet another meaningless April baseball game.
Folks, if you enjoy watching epic sports rivalries I implore you to give it a go. That is, if you call yourselves sports fans.
Fox Soccer Channel, Monday.
Steve A| 4.30.12 @ 10:04AM
Aaron,
I stand by my pre-season Harper ROY pick. Lock it in. This guy is the real deal. He will not see minor league ball again barring a future rehab stint. He only goes bad if he tries to do too much too soon.
The thing about Harper is this: He is instantly a player you will go out of your way to watch. In my book, there are 5. Josh Hamilton, Matt Kemp, Strasburg, Verlander, Harper. Not suggesting he is in the others "league" yet, but he has flashed the fact that he is capeable of making plays in the field, at bat & on the bases, that are super highlight reel material.