The Bryce Harper Compendium (2015)

[nats2playoffs]

that would mean what, getting robbed by an OF, or doing a face plant as he rounds third on an inside-the-ballpark HR?

And steadily.  He's due for -1 hr tonight.

1. Given Harper's recent history of failing to touch a base, a home run could be reduced to a single.
2. Given his speed, Harper could hit a home run, but be called OUT for passing a base runner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_Single

The Grand Slam Single is a reference to the hit that ended Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Robin Ventur crushed the 2–1 pitch over the wall in right-center for an ostensible grand slam, winning the game for the Mets and driving the Mets players and fans into a frenzied celebration. Ventura, however, never reached second base as Todd Pratt, the runner who was on first, picked up Ventura in celebration. Subsequently, Ventura was mobbed by his teammates, never finishing his trot around the bases. Because he failed to touch all four bases, the hit was officially scored a single. Roger Cedeño, the runner on third at the time, was ruled the only runner to have crossed home plate before the on-field celebration began and the Mets were awarded a 4-3 victory. Thus, Ventura was only credited with a single and one RBI.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, there have been at least two other instances of "grand slam singles." Both occurred when a batter hit a grand slam but subsequently passed the runner ahead of them on the base paths, which according to the rules of Major League Baseball causes the runner who passes his teammate to be called out. This happened on July 9, 1970, when Dalton Jones of the Detroit Tigers passed teammate Don Wert in a game against the Boston Red Sox, leaving him with a 3-RBI single.

It also occurred on July 4, 1976, when Tim McCarver of the Philadelphia Phillies passed teammate Garry Maddox during a 10–5 win in the first game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, leaving him with a 3-RBI single. In both cases, the other three runs still counted because only the player who passes his teammate is called out. The three base runners are able to score. Both of these hits took place with fewer than two outs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I remember a game when Gabe Kapler blew out his knee running around 2d on a homer and the batter stood behind him on the base paths for 5 or so minutes while the trainer attended to him.  Could have been a ground rule double or a "just enough" homer, but the Sox were allowed to substitute a runner for Kapler and continue the play to plate both runs.

[aspenbubba]

I remember a game when Gabe Kapler blew out his knee running around 2d on a homer and the batter stood behind him on the base paths for 5 or so minutes while the trainer attended to him.  Could have been a ground rule double or a "just enough" homer, but the Sox were allowed to substitute a runner for Kapler and continue the play to plate both runs.

I always wondered what would happen in the  case of a runner or batter that could not complete rounding the bases on a homer due to an injury.

[varoadking]

I always wondered what would happen in the  case of a runner or batter that could not complete rounding the bases on a homer due to an injury.

Unless it's Cole Hamels...

[HalfSmokes]

Unless it's Cole Hamels...

so it's scored as a single with a pinch runner, but there really is no time limit? The real solution seems to be sitting down and waiting the bastards out

[Ray D]

I always wondered what would happen in the  case of a runner or batter that could not complete rounding the bases on a homer due to an injury.

Chris Chambliss hit a walkoff homerun to win the pennant for the Yankees in 1976.  He was unable to round the bases because the crowd had spilled on to the field.  The homerun was upheld.

[HalfSmokes]

Effectively wild proposed an interesting question about harper. They contend that he's becoming a superstar(power and obp), but not in the way that was predicted (no running, less range on defense). I don't necessarily think that's the case, but the follow up question is- if he becomes a superstar, but not the kind scouts thought he would be, is that a scouting hit or miss?

They also talked about turning points - harper's nice run jumped him by around 100 players on the all time OPS list from 317 to 217 Apparently a bunched of very hyped prospects, Reggie Jackson, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantel, Arod, Griffey Jr. all have careers where they were stars, but not quite superstars (mantel was probably a superstar), went into a season playing decently, but not great, then had a very hot couple of games (mostly three game stretches) and their their careers basically took off. interesting to think about at least

[Baseball is Life]

if he becomes a superstar, but not the kind scouts thought he would be, is that a scouting hit or miss?

Unless he makes the HOF, he will be considered a miss by many. I don't think that's fair, but that's the standard set by all the hype.

[Optics]

I wish he were a better base stealer too. He has the speed but he always gets picked off or caught stealing. Maybe it's a coaching issue.

Defensively he has a rocket arm, but because he doesn't play CF he won't ever be regarded as a top flight "fielding" OF. I'm fine with that though. Keep him in RF and let him rake and throw guys out. Span and eventually Taylor are more natural CFs.

[tomterp]

They also talked about turning points - harper's nice run jumped him by around 100 players on the all time OPS list from 317 to 217 Apparently a bunched of very hyped prospects, Reggie Jackson, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantel, Arod, Griffey Jr. all have careers where they were stars, but not quite superstars (mantel was probably a superstar), went into a season playing decently, but not great, then had a very hot couple of games (mostly three game stretches) and their their careers basically took off. interesting to think about at least

Barry Bonds wasn't a superstar?  Arod, Griffey Jr?  I'd say all of those were except Jackson.

[Ray D]

Barry Bonds wasn't a superstar?  Arod, Griffey Jr?  I'd say all of those were except Jackson.

I took him to be saying that they were not superstars until several years into their careers.   (Jackson was a superstar. In his own mind.)

[Baseball is Life]

I took him to be saying that they were not superstars until several years into their careers.   (Jackson was a superstar. In his own mind.)

Reggie was the biggest name in baseball in the '70s. They named a candy bar after him, for crying out loud.

[tomterp]

Reggie was the biggest name in baseball in the '70s. They named a candy bar after him, for crying out loud.

PC:   "too many strikeouts"         

[welch]

PC:   "too many strikeouts"         

Slow down there. I claimed the "Danny Espinosa Strikes Out Too Often" honors first  ("DESOTO").

[HalfSmokes]

Barry Bonds wasn't a superstar?  Arod, Griffey Jr?  I'd say all of those were except Jackson.

Early, no they weren't then they suddenly took off (i.e. almost an instant jump followed by sustained performance rather than a gradual build) - that was they point of their Harper discussion

[tomterp]

Early, no they weren't then they suddenly took off (i.e. almost an instant jump followed by sustained performance rather than a gradual build) - that was they point of their Harper discussion

Apologies, I missed your point.

[aussienatsfan]

I actually expect him to hit for extra bases in every AB now Zim is hitting behind him. guy is locked in

[HalfSmokes]

He's figured it out, if can stay healthy, MVP

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I remember the Mariners beating the NYY in the 1995 playoffs.  A-Rod had been a call up in the middle of the year but did nothing and was benched for Luis Sojo down the stretch when the Mariners tied up the Angels, beat them in the playoffs, then beat the Yankees in full division series. 

Of -topic - Mariners infield was Tino Martinez, Joey Cora, Luis Sojo, and I forget the 3d baseman (I think Edgar was a full time DH then).  Talk about baseball smarts.  Loved that team.  Buehner and Griffey in the OF, Randy Johnson becoming great and not just a fastball freak show with no control.  Interesting how so many of those guys eventually became important Yankees.

[imref]

bryce harper currently leads all players in CBS fantasy baseball points.  Current slash line is 0.308 / 0.442 / 0.675, his 12 HRs give him the edge over Adrian Gonzalez who thus far has posted an insane 0.372 / 0.434 / 0.719 with 9 HRs.

Harper has 36 hits on the year, 19 are either doubles or home runs.

[imref]

He's figured it out, if can stay healthy, MVP

he'll have competition from Gonzalez, Goldschmidt and Rizzo.  McCutcheon is hitting as well now.

[HalfSmokes]

he'll have competition from Gonzalez, Goldschmidt and Rizzo.  McCutcheon is hitting as well now.

I think harper has the kind of story that will get him votes - i.e. guy voted most overrated produces- and that give writers something to write about

[aspenbubba]

Reggie was the biggest name in baseball in the '70s. They named a candy bar after him, for crying out loud.

Baby Ruth???

[Ray D]

Baby Ruth???

[blue911]

Baby Ruth???

Named after Grover Cleveland's daughter is the legend.