Grow Up, Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is 30 years old – in calendar years. In mental years, his age is substantially lower. The Phillies player proved his immaturity yet again on May 14 when he charged the Rockies dugout, apparently looking for a fight.

Benches have cleared in the Rockies-Phillies game

(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/2nSBv4OzVb

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 14, 2023

Regardless of the circumstance, it was an embarrassing display of immaturity for Harper. Both benches cleared, and Phillies players rallied around their childish teammate because that’s what baseball teams do. It’s not hard to imagine that many, if not most of the Phillies team saw the tantrum as just that – a ridiculous display by a toddler.

This wasn’t the first time, and it likely won’t be the last for this guy. He does have a reputation as a bit of a hot head, and it’s not based on one incident. In 2012, when Harper was a rookie and already known for tantrums, my son and I were at Minute Maid Park for the game between the Astros and the Nationals.

Harper was called out on strikes in the 4^th inning on what he clearly viewed as a questionable call. He leaped around and made a spectacle of himself while the home plate umpire – the infamous Angel Hernandez – watched silently. I was sure that the volatile Hernandez would throw Harper out of the game, but he didn’t. I turned to my son and told him that Harper just guaranteed that for the rest of the game, any close call with Harper at the plate was likely going to be in the pitcher’s favor.

Harper batted again in the 6^th, and once again, Hernandez got him on a called 3^rd strike. It was another close call, and everyone (except, of course, Harper) knew that anything close would not go the rookie’s way. This time though, Harper just walked away without a word or a gesture. I’m guessing he had been told by Manager Dave Johnson or teammates that if it happened again, just keep your mouth shut. Incredibly, Harper complied.

To emphasize the nature of Harper and his temper, there are not one, not two, but three YouTube videos of Harper and his antics. You would think that by now, at the supposedly mature age of 30 that Harper would have learned the lessons, but clearly no. 

Grow up, dude – you are seriously embarrassing yourself.

Larry Manch is an author, teacher, guitar player, freelance writer, and columnist. He has written 20 books; all available in paperback on Amazon.com.

He writes about sports for Season Tickets, food and travel on Miles & Meals, and music/guitars on The Backbeat.

 

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