Most 19 year old Americans are struggling through their sophomore year of college, spending what little money they have on alcohol and greasy foods.
Not Bryce Harper. Harper at 19 is playing Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals. And his career is already creating commotion among fans and other major league players.
In 2010, when he was just 17, he signed a $9.9 million 5 year contract with the Washington Nationals. He is the highest paid non-pitcher out of the draft ever. He became eligible for the 2010 draft by getting his GED after his sophomore year of high School.
Even this early in his major league career, he is creating a lot of buzz. On April 29th Harper hit his first double, and as he rounded first base he intentionally knocked off his helmet, showing his mess of hair, shaved into a faux-hawk.
His showmanship and sassy behavior has been followed closely by the media since he played in the minor leagues. In 2010, he hit a home run while playing on the Hagerstown Suns, and then blew a kiss to the pitcher who let up the homer. This season, Harper made a self-proclaimed “rookie mistake” in one of his first games with the Nationals when he threw his wooden bat against a wall, which bounced back and hit his head, causing him to get 10 stitches. Little mistakes like this are bound to happen, but all of them will be blown up by the media when they involve Harper.
Not only are sports fans and some adoring female fans following the Harper sensation, but so are his fellow MLB players. Most people are aware of Harper’s in-your-face mentality, and immaturity from lack of experience. On May 6th the Nationals played the Philadelphia Phillies at home. In Harper’s first at bat, Phillies’ pitcher Cole Hamels drilled him with a pitch. Hamels later admitted the pitch was intentional and stated “It’s just… welcome to the Big Leagues.”
Harper had the last laugh when, in the same inning, Hamels tried to throw out a runner on first, and Harper stole home on him. Mind you, this was his first Major League stolen base. It’s this kind of mentality and behavior that only a 19 year old can bring to the game and that makes Harper unique and attention-grabbing.
Harper has made a fast impact on baseball, from his base running to his fielding and great arm, to already batting in the number three spot in the Nationals line up.
But the season is long, and Bryce Harper is new to the game, so only time will tell if he will achieve more success or the hype will die.
