Bryce Harper’s antics have grated on opponents and the public since he burst onto the national scene three years ago.
From his “That’s a clown question, bro” retort to a reporter to an overall demeanor that struck many (including Cole Hamels) as cocky and brazen for such a young player, Harper has been a lightning rod for criticism. Are his teammates now starting to get tired of the act?
Harper was pulled from Saturday’s game against the Cardinals and benched for a “lack of hustle” and “inability to run 90 feet,” manager Matt Williams told reporters after Harper — who had been nursing a sore quad — grounded back to the pitcher leading off the sixth inning and jogged down the first-base line.
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Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell wrote the benching was seen as “appropriate” by Harper’s teammates. The team was told several days before Williams sat Harper that the next player who didn’t run out a ball would come out of the game.
Furthermore, Harper missed a game due to the quad injury that just happened to be against Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. The next day, he looked fine flying down the line trying to beat out a bunt as part of an 0-for-4 that snapped a nine-game hitting streak.
He slammed his helmet down in frustration afterward, perhaps because the streak was over. Teammates noticed it and the Nats “have certainly narrowed their eyes in looking at Harper’s motivations,” according to the Washington Post.