Bryce Harper...

[myboynoah]

Harper’s return takes a weight off Nationals’ shoulders

Some athletes are wired differently, much differently. They want to be the lead dog, the center of attention, the star. And every first-rate team has to have at least one in its lineup. For the Nats, that’s Harper. At the age of 20, this is his team, not because he demands it or takes status away from veterans but because his energy, talent and presence make it obvious.

Perhaps he wasn’t quite satisfied that only about a third of the crowd at Nats Park had given him a standing ovation as he got in the box. By the time he crossed the plate with his right fist raised to the crowd as he ran, that all changed. They cheered until he took a curtain call.

Harper didn’t call his own shot, but he nailed his state of mind in a tweet on Sunday night: “Probably going to sleep in my uniform tonight since I am really excited and ready to get back! Little League days! #TimeTo Go.”

Afterward, he played down his homer, saying, “I gotta back it up in a day.” But he emphasized the Nats were “only six games out” of first place and “I think we’re a pretty damn good team.”

[myboynoah]

Bryce Harper’s visit with Gavin Rupp

Harper asked questions to draw Gavin out. Gavin sat in a folding chair in the Nationals dugout. Harper leaned forward and his elbow on his left knee so his eyes would be at the same level as Gavin’s.

The conversation meandered from topic to topic. They talked about Harper’s pregame routine. Gavin asked Harper about his favorite ballpark to play in, his most memorable home run, his hardest pitcher to hit off of. Gavin loves Ohio State football, and Harper’s girlfriend just transferred there, and they talked about that. They talked about Las Vegas, Harper’s home town. Harper’s father grew up rooting for the Reds, and Gavin likes them almost as much as the Nationals, and they talked about that.

Harper traded one of his wristbands for one of Gavin’s neon wristbands. Harper asked Gavin to sign a baseball for him. They hung out for an hour.

“I can’t say enough. A guy who is 20 years old, to take that much time,” Chris Rupp said. His voice quivered and his eyes watered. “When I was 20 years old, I didn’t have that maturity, to do what he just did.”

[MarkGrace]

Our boy hasn't exactly hit the ground running since his injury.

[Art Vandelay]

His GF transferred from the Y to tOSU?

[MarkGrace]

Yeah after last season.

[smokymountainrain]

Has driven in 3 so far today.

[Surfah]

2-2 with 3 SBs today and RBI and 2 runs scored. Stras is finally getting some run support. I wonder if the Nats have finally found their groove. 56 runs in 8 games now and counting. When they hit they get aggressive at the plate and on the base paths and are a lot of fun to watch.

[UtahDan]

2-2 with 3 SBs today and RBI and 2 runs scored. Stras is finally getting some run support. I wonder if the Nats have finally found their groove. 56 runs in 8 games now and counting. When they hit they get aggressive at the plate and on the base paths and are a lot of fun to watch.

They really need to get the next two against the Phillies so they can win that series and keep the momentum up. Dan Haren actually showing up to play a passable game and then losing because of zero offense is the kind of step back we don't need. Hammels ought to be hittable tonight and I imagine we will get to see whether Hairston pays any instant dividends. I don't see how we let the trading deadline pass without getting another starting pitcher though. F.P. suggested last night that Matt Garza might be a good option. Also, Harper is not himself yet. Especially on defense.

[MarkGrace]

When Bryce Harper was 10 years old, he told his father that if he was ever selected to a Home Run Derby he would pick him to throw to him. Over a week ago, Harper was asked by David Wright to participate in the event and he pounced at the opportunity. He then asked his father, who coached him and threw batting practice to him growing up, to join him. His father, Ron, accepted and will throw to his 20-year-old son on Monday night at Citi Field.

“[My dad] wanted to make sure I was comfortable with that, not being able to see him for the past four or five months throwing,” Harper said during media availability on Monday at Citi Field before the Home Run Derby. “He just wanted to make sure that’s what I want. But he’s a pretty incredible BP thrower. I just hopes he hits my bat. I’m just trying to go out there, have some fun, and hopefully do what no one else has done.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...nd-his-father/

Seriously love this kid so much.

[smokymountainrain]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...nd-his-father/

Seriously love this kid so much.

I think his dad performed admirably, but wasn't on the level of Mike Gallego throwing to Cespedes. Not that it matters at all, as the HR Derby is mostly a joke, but it may have cost him a chance to win it.

[DrumNFeather]

I think his dad performed admirably, but wasn't on the level of Mike Gallego throwing to Cespedes. Not that it matters at all, as the HR Derby is mostly a joke, but it may have cost him a chance to win it.

He was having a tough time finding the plate with those cut fastballs. I wish Harper would've charged the mound when he plunked him, that would've been great.

[SoCalCoug]

He was having a tough time finding the plate with those cut fastballs. I wish Harper would've charged the mound when he plunked him, that would've been great.

I know if it was me, I'd rather lose with my dad pitching to me than win with anyone else pitching to me.

I can't imagine a greater all star experience than Bryce Harper had last night.

[wapiti]

I think his dad performed admirably, but wasn't on the level of Mike Gallego throwing to Cespedes. Not that it matters at all, as the HR Derby is mostly a joke, but it may have cost him a chance to win it.

Cespedes won with 5 outs to spare. It was his night.

[Surfah]

When they did the stand up for cancer thing, Harper's name was Gavin Rupp, the kid he visited with a few weeks ago who has a brain tumor. Myboynoah posted the story above.

[MarkGrace]

“The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.”-President Monson #hero

https://twitter.com/Bharper3407/stat...10134534832131

Now start hitting, kid!