Harper Benching

[ckhokie]

We all know running through 1st is one of those unwritten baseball rules, not that I even agree with it. It goes along with staring down a pitcher or a bench, flipping your bat wrong, etc. It's dumb, but that's what the game is, and he's not the first guy to get pulled for not running something out. Who he is is making this an issue.

 

[Omar 382]

60% of guys who ground out to shallow infield don't run through first?

ok.

60% of hitters who hit a ball right at the pitcher just like Harper did put about the same effort into getting to first base as Harper did.

 

[Omar 382]

When the guy is being hyped constantly as one of the best young players in the game, he is going to get compared to the best players in the game. The fact is, there aren't many other top players (especially ones so young in their career) who are consistently tied up in as much drama.

Are you serious? I hate Harper as much as I hate any Reds player but what is his biggest offense? Staring at a home run too long? Get a fucking grip

 

[StanMarsh51]

If Harper's quad is in that bad of shape, shouldn't he be on the bench resting it?

He probably should be, but we see this quite a bit...player gets injured and continues to play and struggles through it. In Harper's case, he's batting 1-11 (.091 avg) since the injury after being red hot (13-25 or .520 avg) right before the injury

Jayson Heyward's one that comes to mind...he got hurt, the Braves incompetently kept him in the lineup for a month after the injury (thinking that he could play through it), and he couldn't hit at all during that stretch before they put him on the DL.

 

[Omar 382]

If Harper's quad is in that bad of shape, shouldn't he be on the bench resting it?

I'm not defending Harper. I fucking hate that pussy. And I agree that he should have ran to first. But Williams benching him, and the amount of attention this is getting is laughable.

 

[Omar 382]

He probably should be, but we see this quite a bit...player gets injured and continues to play and struggles through it. In Harper's case, he's batting 1-11 (.091 avg) since the injury after being red hot (13-25 or .520 avg) right before the injury

Jayson Heyward's one that comes to mind...he got hurt, the Braves incompetently kept him in the lineup for a month after the injury (thinking that he could play through it), and he couldn't hit at all during that stretch before they put him on the DL.

And he's been horrible in the early going this season.

 

[tlance]

If Harper's quad is in that bad of shape, shouldn't he be on the bench resting it?

And my whole point is that agree or disagree with the benching, Williams could heave easily used the quad injury as his "public excuse". There is nothing to be gained by throwing Harper under the bus like he did.

Bench or not, but make your point to the team internally. Not to the entire world.

 

[tlance]

Are you serious? I hate Harper as much as I hate any Reds player but what is his biggest offense? Staring at a home run too long? Get a fucking grip

Also, to Harper's credit, he handled his post game interview as well as anybody could have.

 

[Omar 382]

Also, to Harper's credit, he handled his post game interview as well as anybody could have.

Exactly. I mean I hate the guy because he's a Nat, but I really don't get why people who don't naturally hate Nationals players hate him. Maybe it's because he's young, is a great player, and can fuck any girl in the DC area that he wants to.

 

[Shanemansj13]

It's not about the play, it is the principle.

These young, arrogant guys might think they are too good to run out that play, Williams is saying hustle on every play, anything can happen. Lack of hustle is not accepted on ANY play.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Wow. Talk about a retard. An .830 OPS and a 8.7 WAR through your age 20 season is only "potential." Quit your whining. I hate Harper as I hate every non-Phillies player, but 60% of the league does the same exact thing on ground balls straight back to the pitcher.

Maybe a DH or catcher. You run through the bag EVERY time.

 

[Omar 382]

Maybe a DH or catcher. You run through the bag EVERY time.

NO. Maybe YOU THINK players should run through the bag every time, but that's not the reality. If you actually watched baseball consistently you would agree.

 

[StanMarsh51]

Maybe a DH or catcher. You run through the bag EVERY time.

Or a player with a leg injury....

 

[Darkstone42]

He shouldn't be playing at all if he's hurt, but so long as he is, there is no reason for him to push it unnecessarily. If he worsens the injury hustling on a sure out, he costs the team a heck of a lot more than he would have gained by running hard.

 

[navamind]

And Nats fans will continue to challenge any one who says they don't like Bryce and say they're crazy.

Never mind this, him pulling himself from the line up 5 games into the season, setting his bat and helmet down at the plate after a K, waiting for his glove while he's only 21...

Seems like a lot of drama for a guy who is still only 'potential'

huh? He's been a very good player so far. Just because he hasn't been comparable to Mike Trout in his major league career so far doesn't mean he's been "just potential." Trout's last two seasons compare favorably to guys like Willie Mays/Mickey Mantle/etc. Holding Harper to that kind of standard is dumb.

 

[ckhokie]

huh? He's been a very good player so far. Just because he hasn't been comparable to Mike Trout in his major league career so far doesn't mean he's been "just potential." Trout's last two seasons compare favorably to guys like Willie Mays/Mickey Mantle/etc. Holding Harper to that kind of standard is dumb.

Who said anything about Mike Trout or anything close to Mays or Mantle?

 

[StanMarsh51]

Who said anything about Mike Trout or anything close to Mays or Mantle?

His main point is disputing the claim that he's only 'potential,' and he's right, as in reality Harper's accomplished a good amount so far. He posted an 8.6 WAR and 126 OPS+ in his first 2 seasons, so he's certainly accomplished something at the majors level.

 

[navamind]

Who said anything about Mike Trout or anything close to Mays or Mantle?

I see people say Harper's overrated (not necessarily in this thread) because his stats don't compare to Trout.

But saying he's just potential is certainly not true. Few players have accomplished as much as Harper has at his age. Few players make it to the bigs at the age of 19. Even fewer have any kind of success. His age 19-21 stats compare very favorably to guys like Mel Ott and Ken Griffey Jr.

 

[Shanemansj13]

NO. Maybe YOU THINK players should run through the bag every time, but that's not the reality. If you actually watched baseball consistently you would agree.

I played baseball for 15 years and watched forever. What is the first thing they teach you, run out EVERY play. It's easy, fundamental shit and that is a fact.

If he can't run out a play bc of his leg, he shouldn't be playing...plain and simple

 

[Shanemansj13]

Or a player with a leg injury....

He shouldn't of been playing then, if he is he should be able to run out a play. That is only fair.