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The Spectacle Blog
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper continues to impress me.
In the first inning of tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Harper got plunked in the back by Phillies starter Cole Hamels. There was two out and nobody on and Hamels has impeccable control. This was intentional. It was also bush league.
But Harper got even. Harper went from first to third on a single in shallow left field by Jayson Werth. Then came the coup de grace. After Hamels threw over to first base, Harper stole home. It was the first stolen base of Harper’s career. Most players never steal home in their career.
Later in the game, Harper dunked what appeared to be a single in shallow left field. But Harper was running on all eight cylinders and stretched it into a double.
Unfortunately for the Nats, they lost 9-3. It was close until the ninth when they were down 3-1 but the Phils scored six runs in the top of the frame. Hunter Pence hit Harper very nearly made a spectacular play on a flyball hit by Placido Polanco but he overran the ball and dropped it much to his displeasure. Well, Harper is a quick learner. He won’t make that mistake again.
One other piece of bad news for the Nats. In the sixth inning, Werth broke his left wrist sliding for a ball hit by Polanco (him again). No word as to how long he’ll be out. But Harper isn’t going back down to Syracuse. In fact, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing of a lot of Harper in right field which given the strength of his throwing arm might be where he’s best suited.
But in thinking about Werth’s injury, the only thing that worries me about Harper is that his aggressive style of play could get him hurt and curtail him from attaining his potential. I realize it’s a risk that comes with the territory but this kid is really, really good and would hate to see anything get in his way.
UPDATE: Hamels admitted he hit Harper intentionally. As a result, he has been fined and suspended for five games (which means he misses a start). Hamels may have intended to teach Harper a lesson but not only did Harper school Hamels by stealing home but Hamels has been sent to detention to learn his lesson.
View all comments (22) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/05/06/harper-steals-home
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JimH| 5.7.12 @ 8:03AM
I'm starting to think this kid Harper has a bat named Wonderboy.
Steve A| 5.7.12 @ 8:29AM
Most exciting player to watch in MLB & it's really not close.
Ammo Guy| 5.7.12 @ 9:39AM
I wonder if he is the first player in major league history to have his first stolen base be a steal of home?
Aaron Goldstein| 5.7.12 @ 12:34PM
Dan Uggla's first career stolen base was a theft a home on April 21, 2006 while he was a member of the Florida Marlins. He swiped home against (you guessed it) the Phillies.
Derek Leaberry| 5.7.12 @ 10:37AM
Just a sidebar, attendance in Washington for the Nats is disappointing. Why? Part of it is that the Nats have been bad for so long until last season. The ballpark is deep inside Washington making a weekday night game a challenge for most baseball fans. Washington commutes are terrible. The Washington urban core is very liberal and very transient, not a good combination to draw fans.
Jacob D | 5.7.12 @ 10:50AM
Young great player - no doubt!
Bill| 5.7.12 @ 12:25PM
Overrated.....................
rightasrain| 5.7.12 @ 1:28PM
I wish it hadn't been on a pick-off play but awesome nonetheless.
karlub| 5.7.12 @ 3:54PM
Bush league? Why? Pitchers plunk players for all sorts of reasons. And Hamels got plunked back, acknowledging that's how the fine game of baseball is played.
Don't be a wuss.
Bob K.| 5.7.12 @ 6:00PM
Great Pitchers like Bob Gibson did it routinely to hitters who crowded the plate.
The guy had 8 major league hits up till this game, 3 singles and 5 doubles, and the writers already have him in the Hall of Fame.
He got introduced to reality and Hamels got an extra days rest for teaching him a lesson.
It was free and if he is smart he will learn from it.
Bob K.| 5.7.12 @ 6:05PM
And if he misplays a few more routine fly balls he will do his fast learning in the minors.
Although indifferent fielding is the biggest difference between Baseball as it is played today and how it was played before uncontrolled expansion dumbed the game down!
Aaron Goldstein| 5.7.12 @ 11:55PM
With Jayson Werth out for three months and Mike Morse still on the shelf, Harper isn't going anywhere. BTW, Harper wasn't charged with an error. It would have been a spectacular catch had he made it. He was just overran the ball. The Nats are more than happy with what he's given them.
Bob K.| 5.8.12 @ 1:18AM
Of course he wasn't charged with an error! He over ran the ball. He screwed up. But that's not an error is it? It's typical of what happens in Washington. Nobody who works there makes errors!
Aaron Goldstein| 5.8.12 @ 4:29PM
You've obviously never kept score of a baseball game. Harper would have been charged an error if he had drop a fly ball hit right at him. But he would have had to make a spectacular play to catch the ball. Double all the way.
Aaron Goldstein| 5.7.12 @ 11:59PM
Harper was not crowding the plate. Hamels was being a jackass and isn't in Gibson's league.
Could you please tell me which writers have said Harper should be inducted into Cooperstown?
Bob K.| 5.8.12 @ 1:34AM
Don't be silly! I was being facetious and you know it.
And are you saying that it was OK for Gibson to throw at hitters but no one else can because he was a great pitcher and they aren't.
The current Phillies Magazine mentions the Red Sox as one of the teams interested in Hamels for next year. If he goes there next year and wins his usual 15 games or so you will find a way to overlook his being a jackass.
Aaron Goldstein| 5.8.12 @ 5:15PM
Facetiousness isn't your strong suit nor for that matter is your knowledge of baseball.
You brought up Gibson because you said he plunked hitters who crowded the plate. Harper was not crowding the plate. There was no reason for Hamels to throw at him. A classic case of apples and oranges.
I doubt Hamels ends up in a Red Sox uniform. Most lefties don't like pitching at Fenway although he did earn a win in his only career start there on June 13, 2010 (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 8 K, 2 BB).
http://www.baseball-almanac.co.....1006130BOS
Still, I don't think he'd come here especially if the Sox play like a second division team.
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Bob S| 5.7.12 @ 9:34PM
Jeez, Aaron Goldstein, give the hero worship a rest.
Mark MacInnis| 5.8.12 @ 8:31AM
Cole Hamels is a d__che bag.
Bob K.| 5.8.12 @ 10:55AM
Tell him that to his face and he will bi--h slap you with the rosin bag!