Holden Miller
In 2012, Bryce Harper was the “star phenom” the Nationals thought they needed to bring a championship home to D.C. Although they did not accomplish this feat during Harper’s time in D.C., he became a symbol for the Nats-representing them with several trips to the All Star Game, winning an MVP Award in 2015, and his 2012 Rookie of the Year Award.
Harper’s famous temper was also a fun sight to see for fans-especially in his early years whether he cursed out an umpire and got ejected, broke his bat and got ejected, or even the time when he threw his bat against the wall in the team clubhouse after striking out and then came out of the dugout with a black eye from the ricochet of the splintered bat.
But Harper has accomplished many things during his time with the Nats after being brought up to the Majors at only 19 years old; he won the 2018 Home Run Derby at Nats Park, he excited fans with his numerous clutch plate appearances, and he also grew a long beard one season.
Now Harper’s journey takes him to Philadelphia with one of the highest paid contracts ever received in the game of baseball-a thirteen year, $330 million dollar contract. Some might argue this is an unreasonable amount of money to give to a career .270 hitter with a questionable attitude, but ticket sales have already spoken for themselves as the Phillies have sold upwards of 220,000 tickets before the season even started. Sales are only looking to increase for the Phillies.
Some might remember Harper’s already long relationship with the Phillies as they were a big rival of the Nats and especially of Harper for the majority of his career. In 2012, when the Nationals were playing the Phillies during a regular season game, the Phillies starting pitcher and ace-Cole Hamels, hit Harper in the back with a pitch that was intentional as Hamels later admitted. Harper then proceeded to steal home several plays later and found himself safe, a moment DC fans will never forget.
There was also the instance when Harper was choked out by one of his then teammates-closing pitcher and ex-phillie Jonathan Papelbon, which was because he was not a fan of the lack of hustle Harper played with.
All in all, Bryce Harper was an exciting experience the fans of Washington Nationals baseball will long remember and as the 2019 baseball season approaches-that whole in the outfield, at the plate, and in the overall energy and atmosphere of the stadium, will need to be replaced. Although Harper will most likely play the remainder of his career in Philadelphia, he will always be remembered as a Nats player first.
The Nats play the Phillies beginning on April 2nd as their second home series of the season, it will be interesting to see what fans will have in store for Harper-whether they pay their respects or endlessly boo him out of the ballpark.
