Nats: Bryce rips are ‘BS’
What a bunch of BS. That's how Nationals GM Mike Rizzo felt about criticism from an anonymous NL executive toward Bryce Harper.
The unnamed exec referred to Harper as an “overrated, selfish, losing player” to FanRag Sports, prompting Rizzo to call the comments “chickens--and bulls---” in an interview with the Washington Post.
“I think it's just totally unfair on so many levels,” Rizzo told the Washington Post, adding that the criticism without a name next to it was “cowardly and gutless.”
Harper also didn't receive a warm welcome in his return to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night — even if he claimed he couldn't hear the boos.
Maybe they weren't overwhelming, but the boobirds were out among the crowd of 44,220 at Yankee Stadium before Harper's first at-bat.
“I didn't hear it. I don't pay much attention,” Harper said after the Bombers beat the Nationals 3-0.
Harper reached base in all four of his ABs, but was hit by pitches on his right elbow (CC Sabathia) and left big toe (Dellin Betances). The second HBP caused Harper to come out of the game on his own accord in the eighth inning.
Harper got an X-ray on his toe after the game, but said he was fine, and manager Davey Martinez expects to have No. 34 in the lineup on Wednesday.
“It just hurts,” Harper said. “No ill-feelings at all.”
Still, you wonder if any of his teammates decide to retaliate — even if it wasn't intentional.
In any case, it was Harper's first game in The Bronx since 2015. The superstar outfielder, set to become a free agent at season's end, has been linked to the Yankees for awhile now.
But given that the Bombers already have Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton — along with an obvious need for starting pitching — it doesn't appear Harper, who could command $30-40 million per year, fits into the equation.
Granted, things could always change.
Stanton has been a disappointment in his first year in pinstripes, striking out 96 times (tied for third-most in the majors) and failing to come up with many clutch hits. The reigning NL MVP, who has a decade remaining on his deal with $295 million owed ($265 million of that by the Bombers if he doesn't opt out after 2020), went 0-for-4 with a pair of Ks on Tuesday night, as his batting average dropped to .240.
Harper grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle — his father's favorite player — and certainly has a personality and swagger that could play up in The Big Apple. Still, the Yankees would probably have to trade Stanton — perhaps to the Dodgers — in order to make that happen.
For his part, Harper, who is hitting only .228 himself but does have 19 homers and 50 walks, claimed that his excitement playing in New York was no different than his excitement playing in Toronto.
“Just another city you play in,” Harper said before the game. “When you're at home, you enjoy playing at home, and you look forward to going on the road in certain cities. I'm excited to go to Toronto this weekend. Haven't been there since year one. Excited to play here tonight and for this road trip.”