Friday, June 10, 2011

Harper Doing Well with Wood, But...

Going to minor league games this year, I've had the chance to see Bryce Harper at the plate several times. He is definitely a hungry hitter and can seriously put the full barrel on the ball. However, he doesn't yet have a good sense of baseball etiquette, and inevitably, if you ask me, that points to a kid who may still not understand the concept of being cool and confident.

Earlier this week is a case in point. Harper hit a whopper. It was a home game so the announcer really got into the shot and did the old "Going? Going! Gone!" routine while the kid stood admiring his dinger. This didn't make the pitcher happy, who had a few words for Harper as he began his trot. Finally, rounding third, Harper mimed a kiss at the pitcher as he trotted towards home plate. 

Some might think this funny or a bit of a shake for what is otherwise the doldrums of minor league ball. To me, there really isn't anything I should need to say except that if this is what we're going to see out of this kid it is a sad day for baseball and an even sadder day for the Nationals. And the baseball gods will sort it all out...

You can read about the whole scene in much more detail right here at Helium News. They've got some great links on the page to other stuff on the kid. I thought about posting the video, but I'm not going to give Harper any more attention than the TV does drunk, naked fans on the field.

One last thing: Harper's growing (grown?) a mustache. I really hope this isn't a trend in baseball...or anywhere else (although I think I'm wrong). I guess that will have you checking out the video. You can't win in this new media world can you? Shoot me if I ever grow another mustache. Please...

See you out there...