Harper mulls possible last days with D.C.

More than 31/2 hours before the start of what many expect to be his last game at Nationals Park as a member of the Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper stood at his locker and let his eyes linger on that familiar white jersey with the curly red “W” on the front and his last name on the back. Then Harper, who can become a free agent at season’s end, put on his full uniform, right down to the stirrups. He was the only player ready that far ahead of Wednesday’s first pitch for the Nationals’ home finale against the Miami Marlins.

“It’s definitely crazy walking in today and knowing this could be my last game at Nats Park in my white jersey,” Harper said. “I knew I wanted to get here and put the uni on right away, and just cherish that moment, if it’s going to be the last time or not,” he said. “I can’t really stand here and say it’s going to be farewell or anything like that, because nobody knows. Nobody knows what this offseason holds.”

The Nationals close the season with a three-game series at Colorado. Washington is the only bigleague club Harper has played for.

“This is my home. This is my city,” said Harper, the only NL player with 100 RBIs, 100 runs and 100 walks in 2018. They drafted him No. 1 overall at age 17 in 2010, then called him up to the majors at 19. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2012, then a unanimous selection as NL MVP in 2015. A team that lost 100 games in a season twice before Harper came aboard won four NL East titles with the slugger, but never won a playoff series. The outfielder joins Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Manny Machado as the jewels of the upcoming free agent class.