 |
| Credit: |
In a time where society is finding it difficult to “Make
America Great Again” or “Feel the Bern” I find it easy to drift my thoughts
towards the game of baseball. It is early May and baseball season is starting
to pick up the pace. Living in Central Indiana gives me the unfortunate gift of
being in the Cubs’ “blackout region”, but not having the Cubs as our primary
National League team. The rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling Cincinnati Reds
hold that distinction. All things considered, I deal with my geographic dilemma
by focusing on other teams (thank the good Lord for MLB.tv). The second most
talked about team possesses the League’s most popular and arguably most
polarizing figure. I’m of course talking about Bryce Harper of the Washington
Nationals.
 |
| Credit: |
Harper approaches the game with fiery passion rivaled by few
in today’s game. His demonstrative attitude running around the bases after a
home run followed by a “helmet hair flip” has drawn the ire of a number of
analysts and most notably, former players. In one corner we have Hall of Famer
Goose Gossage and in the other stands Harper.
Gossage argues that players like Harper and Joey Bautista
have tainted the professionalism of baseball. He claims that players should
just play the game for the team and not showboat after a homerun or remain on
the field for long postgame celebrations. Simply put, Gossage’s version of
baseball is about hard work on the field and handshakes in the locker room
after the game. In an interview with The Washington Post, Gossage stated about
Harper, “what does this kid know? This kid doesn’t know squat about the game,
and has no respect for it.” Strong words from one of baseball’s former greats.
 |
| L TO R: GENE J. PUSKAR/AP | JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES |
For as long as Harper has been in the league I have
flipped-flopped on what I think about him. At times I side with Gossage and
other times I think he’s just a cranky former player who can’t handle change. What
I’ve come to realize, is that Gossage and Harper are more alike than different.
Both have obvious passions about their sport and are not afraid to express
opinions through words and actions. I understand that Gossage might be
uncomfortable seeing the change in his industry, but what sport’s league hasn’t
seen change over the last 10-20 years. Sure, Gossage is probably right in
saying that Harper doesn’t understand how the game was played back in his day,
but are Harper’s actions damaging the game? Hardly.
Bryce Harper is the player that many young players try and
emulate. He works hard and plays hard. In the 2014 season, Harper was benched
after not running hard to first base. Instead of blowing up his head coach or
complaining to the media, he accepted the consequences and took the field the
next day. The way he plays the game is exciting to watch and it creates a
necessary buzz around the game. When was the last time Major League Baseball
was actively talked about over NFL training camps or NCAA football practices?
 |
| Peter Hapak for ESPN |
We are lucky to have a player like Harper in the game today.
He draws our attention to the diamond wherever he plays. If you are going to
root against Harper, root against him because he hit 3 homers against your
team. Don’t fall victim to the falsehood that Gossage is preaching. Harper
respects the game and he understands it better than most young players ever
will. As long as he continues to work hard and play hard, I will support Bryce
Harper’s campaign to Make Baseball Fun Again!
#Harper2016
