Courtesy: USA Today
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper’s bold statements about his team proves he simply does not get “it” yet. At 22 years old a lot of expectations and pressure has been bestowed upon the once top overall pick and Sports Illustrated cover man. The problem is he, along with his team, have not lived up to the hype in his young career.
Though he still has a long career ahead, Bryce Harper will need to learn some humility along the way. His antics have been well-publicized over the years. Whether it was responding to a reporter with “that’s a clown question bro” or his on-field tantrums, he needs to still earn respect from the sports community.
And recently after the Washington Nationals signed former Cy Young pitcher Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper is quoted “Where is my ring?” This may seem as an innocent case of overconfidence, but continues in a line of immaturity for an unproven and under-achieving youngster. For a player and team that has achieved very little in the MLB, Bryce Harper should focus more on their production and less on predictions.
Courtesy: NY Times
There has been a prime cautionary tale in recent MLB history of what could transpire after that Max Scherzer deal. In 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies signed ace Cliff Lee (who they traded the season before) to create the “best rotation in baseball,” as Bryce Harper so eloquently stated about his 2015 team. That team featured former Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt, a WORLD SERIES MVP in Cole Hamels, the 2008 AL CY YOUNG WINNER in Cliff Lee and TWO TIME CY YOUNG WINNER (including in 2010) in Roy Halladay. That Phillies team was also significantly more productive offensively then the current Washington Nationals roster. Their lineup featured two former MVPs in Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, and perennial all-stars Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence.
Yet they never made it past the NLDS and digressed to to a full rebuild mode just five years later. Proof nothing is guaranteed in baseball, especially championships. That has never been more evident then current reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants winning three of the last five titles as the ultimate underdog. That team also knocked out the Washington Nationals in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
The same Washington Nationals franchise that have never won a playoff series in their 46 year history (including the first 35 seasons as the Montreal Expos).
Yet Bryce Harper has the audacity to proclaim that his team are all but ensured the title of World Champions this year. To do so he will have to achieve some basic personal goals like batting .300 for a season or hit 30 home runs in a season. Or how about improving from a below-average (at best) outfielder.
While the Washington Nationals also have major concerns outside of their “best rotation in baseball.” Their lineup is highly dependent on injury-prone veterans like first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, catcher Wilson Ramos and outfielder Jayson Werth. Their bullpen is a major question mark after trading away set up man Tyler Clippard and letting closer Rafael Soriano walk in free agency. And now the organization is banking on Bryce Harper himself improving to at least an above-average player and completing an entire season.
Courtesy: Manolith.com
The Washington Nationals can be off season champions all they want; that has not worked out in the past for a number of teams. They still have 162 games to play, along with trying to get past the divisional round of the playoffs. So Bryce Harper’s statement “Where is my ring?” is simply put a “clown comment Bro.”
