if he wasn't ready to be "under a microscope", then he should have stayed in HS, gone the traditional college route and then drafted.....if you are going to make the adult decision of early exit from HS, onto JUCO to be eligible for the MLB draft early.....conduct yourself LIKE AN ADULT...
I find it a bit sad actually.
At 18, mom and dad should be the ones handling a kids immature behavior, not a ML team.
But then again, he is only 18...
JMO.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co...issing-incident.html
At 18, mom and dad should be the ones handling a kids immature behavior, not a ML team.
But then again, he is only 18...
JMO.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co...issing-incident.html
18 is adult, but that doesn't mean all 18 year olds are fully mature. Heck, have you seen the news lately about the immature congressmen we elect?
Watch the NBA finals tonight and tell me how many "adults" much older than Harper act more immature. My guess there will be at least 4-5.
Watch the NBA finals tonight and tell me how many "adults" much older than Harper act more immature. My guess there will be at least 4-5.
quote:Originally posted by 4pApA:
if he wasn't ready to be "under a microscope", then he should have stayed in HS, gone the traditional college route and then drafted.....if you are going to make the adult decision of early exit from HS, onto JUCO to be eligible for the MLB draft early.....conduct yourself LIKE AN ADULT...
I agree with you, however, do we blame the 18 kid or the adults that have made decisions for him and probably looked the other way at some behavior because he was so special?
He's obviously cocky, got an attitude as well, probably because of it he will be very successful. He'll struggle at one point and he will learn humility. He's young, he'll get it eventually.
I blame our society in part for creating Bryce Harper's.
My experience is with LeBron James who Bryce was compared with. I am starting to think the athletic comparisons were quasi-valid. I think LeBron handled things better however even as big as his ego has become.
Homeruns and adulation are a drug (adrenaline) but they can be every bit as dangerous as those other things we all acknowledge are drugs if not handled properly.
I see a potential trainwreck here (e.g., Josh Hamilton) and we might all be partly to blame. Lets all stop asking for Bryce's autograph and frankly giving a sh*t about him. Let's see how he likes that. Let him start acting like Buster Posey or any number of upstanding citizens. Earning our respect before we ever give a da-mn who he is blowing kisses at.
My experience is with LeBron James who Bryce was compared with. I am starting to think the athletic comparisons were quasi-valid. I think LeBron handled things better however even as big as his ego has become.
Homeruns and adulation are a drug (adrenaline) but they can be every bit as dangerous as those other things we all acknowledge are drugs if not handled properly.
I see a potential trainwreck here (e.g., Josh Hamilton) and we might all be partly to blame. Lets all stop asking for Bryce's autograph and frankly giving a sh*t about him. Let's see how he likes that. Let him start acting like Buster Posey or any number of upstanding citizens. Earning our respect before we ever give a da-mn who he is blowing kisses at.
Harper needs one buzzed by his earhole. Or needs to get tagged out by his teeth. Something to knock some sense into this punk. That should make him grow up a little.
As for blaming society. I don't blame society one bit. Harper's dad should've maybe wrung his neck a few times along the way because class behavior is something that's taught along the way.
As for blaming society. I don't blame society one bit. Harper's dad should've maybe wrung his neck a few times along the way because class behavior is something that's taught along the way.
I also heard that after blowing the kiss some of the players in the dug out had a few words for him and Harper starting walking towards their dugout at that point the players jumped out of the dug out and Harper walked away
quote:Originally posted by redbird5:
I see the home plate umpire REALLY get down the line as Harper watches the ball go out. Maybe there was bad blood?
The plate ump was just performing his proper mechanic in two man. The base ump went out on the ball leaving the plate ump to take the runner around all the bases. The hustle is just good two man mechanics.
Well well, I guess my post a year ago wasn't wrong after all. Harper did the same antics playing for Southern Nevada, I get almost run off this forum for posting the real Bryce Harper. Now that he is 18 its okay now? Where are his protectors, our moderators now?
Mike Tyson, John McEnroe, Tiger Woods, Ty Cobb, Ray Lewis, Dennis Rodman, Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens.
Many sports superstars have struggled throughout thier careers with properly channeling their fierce competitive nature. Unfortunately, I sense that we have another. I hope I'm wrong but I don't agree with many others here who think "he's only 18 and he'll mature and grow out of it".
Many sports superstars have struggled throughout thier careers with properly channeling their fierce competitive nature. Unfortunately, I sense that we have another. I hope I'm wrong but I don't agree with many others here who think "he's only 18 and he'll mature and grow out of it".
quote:Originally posted by Tx-Husker:
What is the kid...18? How would any of us have liked to have every one of our actions at 18 under the microscope his actions are under? He's a little immature...sure, he's 18. He's a punk at times...sure, he's 18. All in all, I would say he handles himself awfully well for an 18 year old when everyone is looking for every possible flaw.
I most definitely would not, looking back, liked having all of my actions as an 18 year old put under a microscope, and most definitely would have embarrassed myself and my parents if that were the case. However, I would have been happy to bear that cross in return for, say, $6.25 million.
Maybe it's just me, but as I recall in my HS years we didn't care for this type of behavior any more than people seem to now. We had a player in our league who thought very highly of himself and acted much like Mr. Harper. That was his choice. By the second time he played our team, he was making different choices. He too was 18. You are never too young to respect the game and you are never too young to be taught respect. The only thing that changes based on age is how the lessons are taught. Mr. Harper will learn them one way or another but the days of Mommy & Daddy teaching him are well passed. Now it will be an opponent, a team mate, a manager or an owner but someone will teach him and that is too bad. I hope he is still playing baseball after he learns it.....
Dave
Dave
I read an inteview with the Nationals GM, who bascially said that Bryce will not be going to the show this year, not even in September. He said he won't be going until he develops the right skills on the field and in the clubhouse. This was in May.
I haven't seen any 16 year olds behaving this way, much less an 18 year old. Sounds like he will learn or perhaps labor longer in the minors that his talent might suggest.
I haven't seen any 16 year olds behaving this way, much less an 18 year old. Sounds like he will learn or perhaps labor longer in the minors that his talent might suggest.
quote:Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Well well, I guess my post a year ago wasn't wrong after all. Harper did the same antics playing for Southern Nevada, I get almost run off this forum for posting the real Bryce Harper. Now that he is 18 its okay now? Where are his protectors, our moderators now?
If you posted video........
He woudn't be the first can't miss phenom to be swallowed up and disappear into the minor league abyss.
quote:Malibuskier said... Mr. Harper will learn them one way or another but the days of Mommy & Daddy teaching him are well passed. Now it will be an opponent, a team mate, a manager or an owner but someone will teach him and that is too bad. I hope he is still playing baseball after he learns it.....
I totally agree with Malibuskier. It would appear that people in authority have passed on showing Mr Harper the "way" during his youth. Now, people who are in authority will step in to correct this one way or another. This is professional baseball, and it is a business. It will get fixed by the organization or he will become a cancer and offer little value.
While I'm not a fan of this type of behavior in general, I do think Harper gets more negativity thrown his way than he deserves. This thread is a nice example of this.
This article suggests there was more to the story than originally thought. If true, then I probably would have done the same thing when I was his age.
More To The Story
This article suggests there was more to the story than originally thought. If true, then I probably would have done the same thing when I was his age.
More To The Story
quote:Originally posted by rocket:
While I'm not a fan of this type of behavior in general, I do think Harper gets more negativity thrown his way than he deserves. This thread is a nice example of this.
This article suggests there was more to the story than originally thought. If true, then I probably would have done the same thing when I was his age.
More To The Story
I agree, as I said earlier in the thread, probably more to it AND as is usual with our society, a bunch of people quick to judge.
I don't condone unprofessional behavior either unless the opponents behavior calls for it. Perhaps, the pitcher bated him earlier and Harper had a point to make. Also, there is within many a very strong competitive, win at all costs trait. The "flight or fight" physiological response is pretty strong with "Hunter/Warrior" genetic make-up. I'm betting he's one that will regularly choose to fight rather than make flight.
One could say it was even "ballsy" on his part, especially if the pitcher started it. Personally, I like supreme confidence. If he's an ***, then let the players handle his antics. He will conform, win on his terms, or get driven out of the league.
quote:Originally posted by cabbagedad:
Mike Tyson, John McEnroe, Tiger Woods, Ty Cobb, Ray Lewis, Dennis Rodman, Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens.
That's quite a list there. Criminals, liars, cheaters, drug addicts. What has he done to be placed in that category? Thrown a kiss to the pitcher?
By no means do I condone what he did. But I find the above a bit too harsh.
Interestingly enough listening to Jaime Moyer last night on Baseball Tonight, he got over the years a lot more passed his way than a kiss. This is very much part of the game, the thing is that you have to learn when and how to react and when not to. His reaction was the HR, he should have left it at that, but he didn't, he will though in time, I am sure.
Would our kids act like that? I will confess fully that my son is not very nice on the field, he will make you pay for your attitude, he will stare you down and he might even mouth some words that aren't repeatable. He plays old school baseball has since college, but once he leaves the field it's done. As one moves up, this stuff gets fierce, especially against rival teams. Does that mean he doesn't respect the game and does that place him in the same category as the above mentioned?
Most people don't like it, but Harper has got the swager, attitude and talent that made him #1 pick at just 18. If the Nats ever don't want him, 29 other teams will be lined up for him. Don't confuse what college coaches look for in players to what professionals do. They want guys who are good and know that they are good. The behavior stuff often goes unlooked due to what they players has. I am not saying that is right, but that's how it often is. You show your soft side, you could be gone.
Trust me, he's not the first, first round young millionaire that needs to learn an attitude adjustment and he won't be the last.
Don't bet against Bryce Harper. He features "Luke 1:37" on his bat and in his autograph. If he truly believes it, and only he knows for sure, look out. Don't ignore the fuel that runs the engine. He's 18. What significant things were you doing or saying when you were 18?
quote:Originally posted by TPM:quote:Originally posted by cabbagedad:
Mike Tyson, John McEnroe, Tiger Woods, Ty Cobb, Ray Lewis, Dennis Rodman, Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens.
That's quite a list there. Criminals, liars, cheaters, drug addicts. What has he done to be placed in that category? Thrown a kiss to the pitcher?
By no means do I condone what he did. But I find the above a bit too harsh.
...you have to learn when and how to react and when not to. His reaction was the HR, he should have left it at that, but he didn't, he will though in time, I am sure.
TPM...
As the rest of my post states, I am lumping these folks together because they all struggle with channeling their fierce competitive nature. They become difficult to admire and respect because their behavior often deems them to be terrible role models. I did not lump them together due to criminal behavior, lying, cheating or being a drug addict - you kinda twisted that a bit.
And so, the rest of my point was that we are starting to see a pattern with Mr Harper (as evident by some of the other posts) and I am not so sure he will mature and grow out of these things as you suggest. Just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.
quote:
Most people don't like it, but Harper has got the swager, attitude and talent that made him #1 pick at just 18. If the Nats ever don't want him, 29 other teams will be lined up for him. Don't confuse what college coaches look for in players to what professionals do. They want guys who are good and know that they are good.
Yeah, but would they rather have a Joe Mauer (good, knows he's good, but is reasonably humble and knows how to act right and properly represent the face of his team) or a Bryce Harper?
No questioning the guy's immense talent and inevitable success on the field. I just cringe at the notion of having another bad role model - again, I hope I'm wrong. Because of his talent, our kids and grandkids will be watching.
We (society) teach these players as kids that they are entitled to some things due to their talent - that the rules do not apply to them. Sometimes I wonder if the talented athletes on Cabbagedad's list (and young Mr. Harper)even know they are doing anything wrong.
Cabbagedad,
I didn't mean to twist what you said, perhaps I just overreacted to what you wrote, the same way perhaps Harper overreacted to something that happened to him before the kiss.
I wasn't there, I only saw the kiss, I didn't get to see all the other stuff that probably happened, because that obscure pitcher doesn't have to be under a microscope. Has ther ebeen a lot of other incidences of this or is this the first reported?
I don't get the comparisons, and comparing to him to Mauer is unfair as well. Mauer did a lot of his growing up in HS, something that adults took away from Harper.
BTW, heard that he lives with his folks in a controlled setting, so it's not like he is on his own and probably not able to do what other young players do at 18. You'd be surprised what 18 year olds do when they leave home for the first time, college or pro ball! So if throwing a kiss to the pitcher is the worst he's done, it may not be so terrible.
When son was in college, one series, the closing pitcher of the opposing team mouthed FU to the dugout everytime he struck someone out. I won't get into the team or the player (drafted in the first round). It was very poor behavior and don't worry when he came to bat he got his, but his life wasn't being scrutinized like Harper. We tend to do that with superstars that get paid a ridiculous amount of money, we expect a certain behavior from them and the way I see it, doesn't always work that way.
Cabbagedad,
I see that you have young children who probably have not hit 18 yet. I don't know about anyone else, but when my kids hit 18, they didn't automatically put on their adult hats, they still displayed pretty immature behavior at times. They weren't by any means "perfect" children. The best part was that all that training of how you should and should not act did kick in, so safe to say as adults they know how to contain those immature impulses they may have had at 18.
Agree Harper has a lot of growing up to do, but the way I see it, he's still just 18.
I didn't mean to twist what you said, perhaps I just overreacted to what you wrote, the same way perhaps Harper overreacted to something that happened to him before the kiss.
I wasn't there, I only saw the kiss, I didn't get to see all the other stuff that probably happened, because that obscure pitcher doesn't have to be under a microscope. Has ther ebeen a lot of other incidences of this or is this the first reported?
I don't get the comparisons, and comparing to him to Mauer is unfair as well. Mauer did a lot of his growing up in HS, something that adults took away from Harper.
BTW, heard that he lives with his folks in a controlled setting, so it's not like he is on his own and probably not able to do what other young players do at 18. You'd be surprised what 18 year olds do when they leave home for the first time, college or pro ball! So if throwing a kiss to the pitcher is the worst he's done, it may not be so terrible.
When son was in college, one series, the closing pitcher of the opposing team mouthed FU to the dugout everytime he struck someone out. I won't get into the team or the player (drafted in the first round). It was very poor behavior and don't worry when he came to bat he got his, but his life wasn't being scrutinized like Harper. We tend to do that with superstars that get paid a ridiculous amount of money, we expect a certain behavior from them and the way I see it, doesn't always work that way.
Cabbagedad,
I see that you have young children who probably have not hit 18 yet. I don't know about anyone else, but when my kids hit 18, they didn't automatically put on their adult hats, they still displayed pretty immature behavior at times. They weren't by any means "perfect" children. The best part was that all that training of how you should and should not act did kick in, so safe to say as adults they know how to contain those immature impulses they may have had at 18.
Agree Harper has a lot of growing up to do, but the way I see it, he's still just 18.
So David Ortiz shows up a pitcher and he's just being Big Pappi. Bryce Harper does it and should be thrown out of baseball. IMO hitting a HR and blowing a pitcher a kiss after being hit by a pitch is no worse than a player charging a pitcher trying to hit him in the face after being hit by a pitch.
I don't agree with what Bryce did and if I was his coach or his dad he wouldn't be very happy right now. But come on there are much worse things young athletes and older athletes do than this. IMO I would rather a player not give autographs than shoot people or run over someone while they are drunk or any of the thousands of other things pro and collage athletes do every year.
I don't agree with what Bryce did and if I was his coach or his dad he wouldn't be very happy right now. But come on there are much worse things young athletes and older athletes do than this. IMO I would rather a player not give autographs than shoot people or run over someone while they are drunk or any of the thousands of other things pro and collage athletes do every year.
TPM,
Yeah, I agree with pretty much everything you said. Look, I was overly competitive as a kid and as a young adult and was slow to grow out of it. Sometimes, I made life unnecessarily miserable for those around me, even well into my 20's. I was an @#$ to be around with losses or even less-than-great performances. My youngest of three (cabbage - just turned 17) has that same competitive fire. Partly due to my mistakes (mostly an attempt at responsible parenting), he is held to a higher standard with proper behavior, including in the competitive environment. Of course, he is still not perfect and definitely not under the microscope of a Harper.
I do get what kids do at 18 and when they move out on their own. I have a few of those too - again, not perfect. Like you say, though, very rewarding when signs of mature behavior do kick in.
Back to Harper. The kiss incident, on its own, not that big of a deal. Things that go on in the game – I’ve been around it for over forty years and have a pretty good idea (although not at the level of your son and I love hearing your stories). It's the behavior pattern that I'm starting to see and, admittedly, just a gut feel I have when I watch him. Sorry, I just use the "extreme" comparisons (Bonds, Mauer, etc.) as easily recognizable reference. Some of those on the "naughty" list had a very difficult time with harnessing their competitiveness throughout their career, some even longer. I think McEnroe recognized quite late, but then did a great job of turning it around and making fun of his younger self (and profiting quite nicely with it). Bonds never got it and perhaps never will - well documented that he was a selfish prima and bad teammate even at the end of a long career.
I’m not questioning that Harper is young and will mature. But as he matures, will he be able to socially adjust or will his ultra competitive nature (and perhaps some “entitlement” issues) create a good deal of problems for himself in that maturation process?
Yeah, I agree with pretty much everything you said. Look, I was overly competitive as a kid and as a young adult and was slow to grow out of it. Sometimes, I made life unnecessarily miserable for those around me, even well into my 20's. I was an @#$ to be around with losses or even less-than-great performances. My youngest of three (cabbage - just turned 17) has that same competitive fire. Partly due to my mistakes (mostly an attempt at responsible parenting), he is held to a higher standard with proper behavior, including in the competitive environment. Of course, he is still not perfect and definitely not under the microscope of a Harper.
I do get what kids do at 18 and when they move out on their own. I have a few of those too - again, not perfect. Like you say, though, very rewarding when signs of mature behavior do kick in.
Back to Harper. The kiss incident, on its own, not that big of a deal. Things that go on in the game – I’ve been around it for over forty years and have a pretty good idea (although not at the level of your son and I love hearing your stories). It's the behavior pattern that I'm starting to see and, admittedly, just a gut feel I have when I watch him. Sorry, I just use the "extreme" comparisons (Bonds, Mauer, etc.) as easily recognizable reference. Some of those on the "naughty" list had a very difficult time with harnessing their competitiveness throughout their career, some even longer. I think McEnroe recognized quite late, but then did a great job of turning it around and making fun of his younger self (and profiting quite nicely with it). Bonds never got it and perhaps never will - well documented that he was a selfish prima and bad teammate even at the end of a long career.
I’m not questioning that Harper is young and will mature. But as he matures, will he be able to socially adjust or will his ultra competitive nature (and perhaps some “entitlement” issues) create a good deal of problems for himself in that maturation process?
This thread makes me laugh and shake my head. I wonder if anyone would be on him so quickly if he wasn't as good as he is.
IF it WASN'T Bryce Harper who hit that HR, then this story would have NEVER Happened, much less given so much attention. There wouldn't have been a camera focused in on the hitter like it was on Harper.
Cut the kid some slack. Baseball usually takes care of it's own. He's 18....
It saddens me and amuses me at the same time with Bryce Harper. The up close scrutiny, the intense pressure hung on the kid (remember the SI article?) when he was 16. And guess what? He's backing it up. He is the real deal.
So many people are so quick to criticize those in the public eye...and act as if his talent was all god given...that kid put in TONS of work to get where he is now. His own team mates (All OLDER than him) talk about his level of intensity and hustle on the field.
I'd say he's doing pretty well as TEENAGER.
Sure he's an "Adult" but how many people here lived in the public eye, with TONS (and millions of dollars) of expectations hung on you at such as young age?
IF it WASN'T Bryce Harper who hit that HR, then this story would have NEVER Happened, much less given so much attention. There wouldn't have been a camera focused in on the hitter like it was on Harper.
Cut the kid some slack. Baseball usually takes care of it's own. He's 18....
It saddens me and amuses me at the same time with Bryce Harper. The up close scrutiny, the intense pressure hung on the kid (remember the SI article?) when he was 16. And guess what? He's backing it up. He is the real deal.
So many people are so quick to criticize those in the public eye...and act as if his talent was all god given...that kid put in TONS of work to get where he is now. His own team mates (All OLDER than him) talk about his level of intensity and hustle on the field.
I'd say he's doing pretty well as TEENAGER.
Sure he's an "Adult" but how many people here lived in the public eye, with TONS (and millions of dollars) of expectations hung on you at such as young age?
Just to clarify, I think what Mr. Harper did is, to steal a phrase from the umpires, hoarse s**t baseball. However, I don't think it is hoarse s**t just because he was the one doing it. If one of my players did that, it would be the last time he ever did, whether he was famous or not. There are a lot of things that happen in this game and everyone feels differently about them. I am no more a fan of this than I am of pitchers mouthing FU to the other dugout after a strike out. Both are equally bad and I would comment about both (and handle both )similarly. All I can say is thank God I will never be King. Baseball would have a lot of openings and probably be a lot less interesting...
Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.
Dave
Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.
Dave
Sportmanship should be taught FIRST, before a kid gets out of Little League. The fact that his behavior has been tolerated this long is a sad testament to how our society, including sports, tolerates people being jerks as long as they are successfull at what they do.
If my son had done this at 12 he would have been jerked off the field by me, pulled to the car by his ear, and on the way home. Clearly this did not happen to this young man.
I will say that I believe that everyone, especially young folks, are entitled to make mistakes and not be raked over the coals about it. However, a pattern of behavior is not a mistake. It is a pattern.
As for the scrutiny, it is easy to avoid. Keep your head down and do your job. If you make a mistake, own up to it and move on. And if someone makes a mistake and admits it, get over it.
If my son had done this at 12 he would have been jerked off the field by me, pulled to the car by his ear, and on the way home. Clearly this did not happen to this young man.
I will say that I believe that everyone, especially young folks, are entitled to make mistakes and not be raked over the coals about it. However, a pattern of behavior is not a mistake. It is a pattern.
As for the scrutiny, it is easy to avoid. Keep your head down and do your job. If you make a mistake, own up to it and move on. And if someone makes a mistake and admits it, get over it.
I find this discussion very interesting.
No doubt we all agree this behavior is unbecoming, and inappropriate.
I just see it differently I guess, in the grand scheme of things this is not bad. Bad is the first pick in 2004, kissing off to the pitcher is disrespectful.
I don't think this behavior justifies some of the comments made here.
JMO.
cabbagedad a pm coming your way.
No doubt we all agree this behavior is unbecoming, and inappropriate.
I just see it differently I guess, in the grand scheme of things this is not bad. Bad is the first pick in 2004, kissing off to the pitcher is disrespectful.
I don't think this behavior justifies some of the comments made here.
JMO.
cabbagedad a pm coming your way.
quote:Sure he's an "Adult" but how many people here lived in the public eye, with TONS (and millions of dollars) of expectations hung on you at such as young age?
And whose fault is it that he is doing these things at such a young age? Oh that's right-- him and his parents!
Really? It's his "fault" he is good enough to sign for millions and play professional baseball at 18? 
What has he done that's any different than what you have done? You have a talent for sports medicine, you went to school and are trying to maximize a career for yourself (and family if you have one). How's that any different than what he's doing with his talent? Nothing...it's just everyone loves to knock the "king of the mountain" off the top of the hill and watch him fall. You can see that in this thread. It's really sad.
What has he done that's any different than what you have done? You have a talent for sports medicine, you went to school and are trying to maximize a career for yourself (and family if you have one). How's that any different than what he's doing with his talent? Nothing...it's just everyone loves to knock the "king of the mountain" off the top of the hill and watch him fall. You can see that in this thread. It's really sad.
Tx-Husker, he is the one that chose to leave high school early and be "so young."
Because he is just that good.
Bulldog, tell me that you never did anything immature at 18?
I think the perception is that if it were our kids or ourselves in this situation we would expect perfection or act accordingly.
I am not sure that you can really fully expect that from every 18 year old who probably is riding the testosterone wave(refer to ugly mustache).
Ok so how many instances have occured like this since he has been in pro ball? Did this happen last fall in Arizona, this spring in spring training?
I think the perception is that if it were our kids or ourselves in this situation we would expect perfection or act accordingly.
I am not sure that you can really fully expect that from every 18 year old who probably is riding the testosterone wave(refer to ugly mustache).
Ok so how many instances have occured like this since he has been in pro ball? Did this happen last fall in Arizona, this spring in spring training?
I'm just glad he didn't run over the catcher.
even he forgets how much he sucked at spring training.
quote:Originally posted by baseballrelics:
even he forgets how much he sucked at spring training.
I hope you are joking. His stats were excellent in spring training, especially considering that he was actually a high school senior.
Harper is and has been known as a cocky, in your face, I'm better than every one out there and I'm gonna let you know that type of player. Can someone tell me why he shouldn't be? Is he not one of the best baseball talents for his age ever? Is he not the same player who left hs early for juco and won the golden spikes award? Is he not the same player who was then drafted #1 overall? I don't want to say this, but until someone proves him wrong he is going to play this way and no one can really tell him he is wrong.
Greatness comes with that attitude that makes a player great. Sorry that's just the way it is. If you go back and think about all the players who are known as a** holes, they are usually the best in their sports. They wouldn't be who they are without that attitude.
Greatness comes with that attitude that makes a player great. Sorry that's just the way it is. If you go back and think about all the players who are known as a** holes, they are usually the best in their sports. They wouldn't be who they are without that attitude.
Harper should blow kisses, pose in the batter's box and do all that he can to entertain the crowd while staying within the rules of the game.
Unwriten rules or ettiquette mean nothing in the world of entertainment.
I think that the pitcher who intentionally 'drills' a batter hurts the game far more than the showman.
Give em hell Harper.
Unwriten rules or ettiquette mean nothing in the world of entertainment.
I think that the pitcher who intentionally 'drills' a batter hurts the game far more than the showman.
Give em hell Harper.
When I was 9 years old I did some really stupid stuff and my parents, teachers, coaches and family members were there to tell me I did stupid stuff.
Same can be said when I was 16 and when I was 18 and when I was 21 and when I was 27 and 31.
Now I'm 37 and let me just say that I still mess up and do stupid things. Now it's my mom (I'm still scared of her although she's 67 and I dwarf her physically) and my peers and bosses who tell me I did stupid stuff.
Sometimes when I was growing up when I did something stupid I had to get the lesson beat into me with a paddling. I learned real quickly that if I don't want my rearend to hurt like that then don't make that mistake again. All these life lessons and learning have really worked.....until I do something stupid. That may be something I do in about another hour or so.
We all screw up but the thing is do we have people in place to help us understand our mistakes and are we smart enough to learn from them? I have no idea what Harper's been through and don't really care. The picture I'm getting of him is he's a jerk and I probably won't like him but I will enjoy the heck out of watching him play.
I'm actually pretty torn on this situation. On one hand I don't condone stuff like this because it can be embarassing to the team and I will never let this stuff happen on my team. But if it does then I'm not going to freak out about it and kick somebody off the team unless they frequently do it. Then that is another issue the kid has. But on the other hand I kinda enjoy watching stuff like this when it's team focused and not directed at the other team.
I love watching NFL films when they could do endzone celebration dances. I learned the Icky Shuffle and when Terrell Owens took the pom poms from the cheerleader I was laughing my butt off. I called all my buddies to tell them what he was doing. I don't see anything wrong with some of these things.
So where does Harper fit? I don't know and it's not my decision to make but it does make for great discussion. I like reading all these posts even if I don't agree with them because they make me think. That's one thing I have truly loved about this site - it's caused me to think and even re-evaluate the way I think on certain things. Every so often I go back and re-read some of my posts and I can see where I've changed my thinking. It amazes me how stupid some of the things I used to believe in were. But maybe this is another example of me maturing due to having people (you guys) to help lead me. Hopefully Harper has this in place and he's learning from it - we'll probably never know if he does or not. If he figures it out and matures the credit will go to him but it doesn't matter who gets the credit.
Little off topic but it does tie back into what I said. Several people on here have said "he needs to be mature" and others are saying "he's only 18" - my question is when do we start cutting back on slack given due to age? Obviously we don't condemn for maturity issues to those who are younger but once you get older that slack seems to disappear. So when is it? I'm not saying 18 is when you should be absolutely be mature cause I know good and well I'm not always. But I know that at my age now I won't get as much slack and I don't deserve it because I should know better.
Some are coming down hard on him because he's 18 and some are giving him slack because he's 18. So when is the right age for being held more accountable for actions?
Same can be said when I was 16 and when I was 18 and when I was 21 and when I was 27 and 31.
Now I'm 37 and let me just say that I still mess up and do stupid things. Now it's my mom (I'm still scared of her although she's 67 and I dwarf her physically) and my peers and bosses who tell me I did stupid stuff.
Sometimes when I was growing up when I did something stupid I had to get the lesson beat into me with a paddling. I learned real quickly that if I don't want my rearend to hurt like that then don't make that mistake again. All these life lessons and learning have really worked.....until I do something stupid. That may be something I do in about another hour or so.
We all screw up but the thing is do we have people in place to help us understand our mistakes and are we smart enough to learn from them? I have no idea what Harper's been through and don't really care. The picture I'm getting of him is he's a jerk and I probably won't like him but I will enjoy the heck out of watching him play.
I'm actually pretty torn on this situation. On one hand I don't condone stuff like this because it can be embarassing to the team and I will never let this stuff happen on my team. But if it does then I'm not going to freak out about it and kick somebody off the team unless they frequently do it. Then that is another issue the kid has. But on the other hand I kinda enjoy watching stuff like this when it's team focused and not directed at the other team.
I love watching NFL films when they could do endzone celebration dances. I learned the Icky Shuffle and when Terrell Owens took the pom poms from the cheerleader I was laughing my butt off. I called all my buddies to tell them what he was doing. I don't see anything wrong with some of these things.
So where does Harper fit? I don't know and it's not my decision to make but it does make for great discussion. I like reading all these posts even if I don't agree with them because they make me think. That's one thing I have truly loved about this site - it's caused me to think and even re-evaluate the way I think on certain things. Every so often I go back and re-read some of my posts and I can see where I've changed my thinking. It amazes me how stupid some of the things I used to believe in were. But maybe this is another example of me maturing due to having people (you guys) to help lead me. Hopefully Harper has this in place and he's learning from it - we'll probably never know if he does or not. If he figures it out and matures the credit will go to him but it doesn't matter who gets the credit.
Little off topic but it does tie back into what I said. Several people on here have said "he needs to be mature" and others are saying "he's only 18" - my question is when do we start cutting back on slack given due to age? Obviously we don't condemn for maturity issues to those who are younger but once you get older that slack seems to disappear. So when is it? I'm not saying 18 is when you should be absolutely be mature cause I know good and well I'm not always. But I know that at my age now I won't get as much slack and I don't deserve it because I should know better.
Some are coming down hard on him because he's 18 and some are giving him slack because he's 18. So when is the right age for being held more accountable for actions?