Is it that spoiled only child? You know the one. The one who goes into Wal-Mart because mom needs eggs and milk, yet they leave with Nerf Guns, Over the top Lego sets, and a video game. No Milk. No Eggs.
Or is it merely everyone wanting to find any reason at all to pick on somebody who has what they want?
The jury is still out on Bryce Harper, the all-universe intergalactic son of Zeus can't miss prospect, as to which one of these applies to him. Me personally? I don't think he is anywhere near the bitch that A-Rod is.
The number one draft pick out of high school by the lowly Washington Nats, had expectations through the roof. Unfortunately for his detractors, he has the ability to meet most of them. Two years running and the Nats acquired the two golden children everybody was salivating over. Not a bad way to build for the future, because for the formally known as Expos, that's all they have.
Harper drew notoriety, and criticism, for his first little outburst. What was it? He simply taunted an opposing pitcher, in A ball mind you, by blowing him a kiss after he launched one of said pitcher's deliveries. Pandemonium ensued. Sport's writers and fans alike called for the kids head. The opinion of those was that he was an arrogant punk, with little to no respect for the game.
What was worse? the fact he did it, or the fact that so many out there made such a big deal about what a rookie 18 year old did in Hagerstown in class A ball? I invite all of you to watch the video of the incident and read the first hand report, from both sides, and come to your own conclusion. He's a passionate kid. That's my conclusion. Would he do that in the show? Perhaps, but it undoubtedly end differently than him finishing his home run trot. Still, I had no problem with it and the circumstances surrounding it.
Incident two occurred when Harper, now in Double A after a early promotion, disagreed with a called 3rd strike. He was already on his way to first thinking he had just gotten walked when the Ump rung him up. He threw his Helmet like a 12 year old and went back and got in the Ump's face and berated him and went on a I didn't get the transformer I wanted tirade. Getting the boot this time around.
But, is that all that happened? Or was it once again an 18 year old kid who has the world on his shoulders, is the future of a franchise in the making, and involved in a hotly contested 1-1 ballgame in the later innings. Is it a guy who just doesn't want to lose? Did it have anything to do with a lousily called game from behind the plate by an Ump with an erratic strike zone?
Once again, I ask that you view it for yourself. Get the story from those involved. George Brett runs out of the dugout, and I love Georgie Porgie, on his pine tar home run, goes nuts, and it is remembered as a classic MLB moment. Because it's George Brett, it was his passion to compete and the fact he was a Big Leauger that made it ok. But, strip it down to what it is, is it being a whiny baby, or an ultra-competitive?
Now, I am not in any way condoning anyone showing out like this, throwing helmets and fits on the field. If it is done because you don't get your way, then I say grow up, pussy. However, if the circumstances surrounding are those of consistent horrible officiating and the desire to win and yet be robbed due to the error or stubbornness of another, well, it doesn't make it any classier or easy to watch, but it does make it more understandable.
Regardless of how you feel about, one thing rings true here. Bryce Harper will be etched into our sports knowledge longer than that Ump, or the pitcher he made a kissy face at.
Dude's into the game. He has passion. Why not just embrace the fact he is intense and goes all out?
Besides, there really is no better way to expose a shitty ump then by throwing your equipment after one of his bad calls. You just put the guy on blast in front the of the whole crowd. 12 years old or not.
In closing, I was never one to throw equipment or fits during games. Wasn't my style, besides that equipment is expensive and we grew up in The Burg, we probably weren't going to get any more. And, verbal barbs were more my thing if I got heated.
I usually kept my mouth shut though. Didn't back talk and just stayed laid-back. My advice to Harper is to do the same. They will still hate you enough for what you are going to do on the diamond.
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