Bryce Harper 2018 and beyond

[spidernat]

And who is the scrub Nats reliever who was laughing and had his arm around Kiermier like it was some kind of a date they were on? What an a-hole.

Shawn Kelley.


At 18:07 you can see Nationals running into the fray and some (Murphy and Eaton) already engaged, and Taylor is standing far from the crowd spectating.

[Ray D]

Yeah. Even if you are not a fighter (and I don't think of him as a wussy for that) you need to respond in some fashion.

His lack of response doesn't bother me a bit.  Nor Harper's.  There is no requirement that grown men behave like immature adolescents.

[spidernat]

Gio, Eaton, Murphy are right in the mix. Others not so much.

Where was Gio?

[Baseball is Life]

Where was Gio?

He was exchanging pleasantries with Romo and knowingly nodding his head. I'd like to think he was thinking, "Yeah, until next time, you little punk."

[Baseball is Life]

His lack of response doesn't bother me a bit.  Nor Harper's.  There is no requirement that grown men behave like immature adolescents.

I don't think standing up for yourself and giving Romo feedback re his questionable behavior is immature. But maybe that's just me. I'm not condoning fighting, let's be clear.

[mitlen]

I don't think standing up for yourself and giving Rom feedback re his questionable behavior is immature. But maybe that's just me. I'm not condoning fighting, let's be clear.

You're not alone.   

[Baseball is Life]

You're not alone.   

I was always taught to stand up to bullies. Not to fight mind you, but to let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. I can appreciate those who want to turn the other cheek but that's not my mindset.

[mitlen]

I was always taught to stand up to bullies. Not to fight mind you, but to let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. I can appreciate those who want to turn the other cheek but that's not my mindset.

I have total respect for turning the other cheek and non-violence.    However I'm not a pacifist.

[Dave301]

MAT is standing there like a statue. Not saying peep while Romero was running his yap. Taylor needed to politely tell Romero that he did not appreciate it.

You can see who the Nats players are who are voicing their displeasure and those who are going through the motions. Gio, Eaton, Murphy are right in the mix. Others not so much.

How do you know MAT wasn't saying anything? 16:42-16:48 he looks like he's saying something before #52 of the Rays responds to it. Obviously he's usually not as animated as others can be.

[Baseball is Life]

I have total respect for turning the other cheek and non-violence.    However I'm not a pacifist.

I'm actually a very nonviolent person (I've never gotten into a fight as an adult, for crying out loud) but I do believe in standing up for what you believe in.

[Baseball is Life]

How do you know MAT wasn't saying anything? 16:42-16:48 he looks like he's saying something before #52 of the Rays responds to it. Obviously he's usually not as animated as others can be.

It didn't look like it to me but I'm not going to review it like it was the Zapruder film or something.

[mitlen]

I'm actually a very nonviolent person (I've never gotten into a fight as an adult, for crying out loud) but I do believe in standing up for what you believe in.

A buddy and I were talkin' about this years ago.    He sez something along the lines that I'm in the middle of stuff a lot.    I asked him, "How many fights have you seen me in?"     He sez, "None".      There ya go.   

[bluestreak]

I'm actually a very nonviolent person (I've never gotten into a fight as an adult, for crying out loud) but I do believe in standing up for what you believe in.

And for some folks turning the other cheek is what they believe in. I think it’s in a big book that a lot of people claim to follow...

I’m never going to fault someone for backing down for a fight when no one is in actual danger. I understand others might feel differently though.

Neither way is necessarily wrong, but I think those that called him a wussy probably went too far.

[Baseball is Life]

And for some folks turning the other cheek is what they believe in. I think it’s in a big that a lot of people claim to follow...

I’m never going to fault someone for backing down for a fight when no one is in actual danger. I understand others might feel differently though.

Neither way is necessarily wrong, but I think those that called him a wussy probably went too far.

Yeah, I was probably one of those that called him a wussy. Heat of the moment and all. I probably went too far. I do respect those who can just walk away from that kind of situation. That's just not me.

[mitlen]

Yeah, I was probably one of those that called him a wussy. Heat of the moment and all. I probably went too far. I do respect those who can just walk away from that kind of situation. That's just not me.

Time and the video settled a lot of "questions".

[Baseball is Life]

A buddy and I were talkin' about this years ago.    He sez something along the lines that I'm in the middle of stuff a lot.    I asked him, "How many fights have you seen me in?"     He sez, "None".      There ya go.   

Funny as hell. No doubt standing up to bullies or rude people makes other nearby people uncomfortable (humans hate conflict, after all) but I'm usually pretty calm about it. No shouting or cussing or going all crazy. I just say my piece like a grownup and go from there. Seems like Murphy went about it like I would have.

Now I'm not one to argue over every little thing. I can't tell you how many fingers I've gotten in DC traffic that I just shrugged off.

[aspenbubba]

Neither way is necessarily wrong, but I think those that called him a wussy probably went too far.

I called him a wuss and still think he should have stood up to him. And if it escalated so be it. I think the team needed something to ignite them rather than freakin camels. I also observed Murphs body language and he was ready to go. I believe the other guy just backed off. This isn't a white collar situation. It is athletics with mostly younger adults who haven't quite matured to our levels after years of schooling beyond HS. I suspect some of you are in favor of participation trophies too.

[bluestreak]

Ah the old “participation trophy” canard....

[Baseball is Life]

Ah the old “participation trophy” canard....

Almost as good as "only rings matter"....

[hotshot]

i can't remember when I heard him say exactly this, but I think it was in a post-game interview. He didn't mention dates, but he did say that he wanted to, or was urged to, take swings.

He musta taken my advice. I've always been on him about not being aggressive enough at the plate. Still think that's correct. He's not paid to walk.

[rileyn]

Either way, seeing Harper so far out of the fray and appearing to want to do nothing but get back to the clubhouse to mark off another day on the calendar until he hits free agency, is a bad look.  He does not look engaged.  Yes, we have seen he will stick up for himself, but I want to see him at least give the impression that he cares that his teammate just got disrespected, and that his team got 5 hits in two lost days in Tampa.

[nfotiu]

If punches were thrown or MAT was beaned then by all means I’d like to see guys stand up for their teammates.  I don’t care anything about where people are standing when all they are doing is puffing their chest and nagging at each other.  Romo is the only one looking bad in this situation and probably deserved a punch in the face but he was hiding behind everyone in the phony hold me back position.

[PowerBoater69]

Either way, seeing Harper so far out of the fray and appearing to want to do nothing but get back to the clubhouse to mark off another day on the calendar until he hits free agency, is a bad look.  He does not look engaged.  Yes, we have seen he will stick up for himself, but I want to see him at least give the impression that he cares that his teammate just got disrespected, and that his team got 5 hits in two lost days in Tampa.

When Harper charged Strickland the whole team came out to support him. Next time they might be tempted to hang out around third and watch.

[GburgNatsFan]

I called him a wuss and still think he should have stood up to him. And if it escalated so be it. I think the team needed something to ignite them rather than freakin camels. I also observed Murphs body language and he was ready to go. I believe the other guy just backed off. This isn't a white collar situation. It is athletics with mostly younger adults who haven't quite matured to our levels after years of schooling beyond HS. I suspect some of you are in favor of participation trophies too.

[Greg_SRT]

Really brings up the big issue with Harper and $40m.

He doesn't seem to be a leader. He seems to just be another player on the roster in terms of leadership.

If I were to give someone $40m a year or more, They need to have the 2015 year every year. And be a leader of the team. The leader.

Perhaps he needs to be a bigger presence in the clubhouse.