Bryce Harper wants to make baseball fun again, but the Nationals star has no problem voicing his displeasure to the umpires. Now, he may face punishment for his actions.
After being intentionally walked again in a tie-game with men on first and third last night, Nationals star Bryce Harper‘s frustration was obviously building. Later in the game, he was thrown out by home plate umpire Brian Knight for voicing his displeasure at a called third strike on Danny Espinosa in bottom of the ninth inning. As Espinosa walked away from home, Knight pointed into the dugout and tossed Harper.
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The pitch did look quite high on the broadcast, but Pitch-Trax had it as a strike at the top of the zone. Harper was incensed and teammates had to hold him back from charging the field. Manager Dusty Baker ran out to discuss the matter with Knight as Harper was herded back into the clubhouse.
The very next batter pinch-hitter Clint Robinson smacked a walk-off home run and with it the Nationals flooded onto the field to celebrate like any other walk-off. Harper joined them however and again found Knight to voice his displeasure.
Harper was caught by cameras appearing to yell “Hey f– you!” towards Knight before continuing to celebrate with his teammates. After the game, Baker didn’t seem too upset with the Harper situation:
"“It’s an emotional game. He’s an emotional young man. Like most of us on the field out there. You certainly don’t like him to get tossed, but every once in a while you gotta blow off some steam or else you go crazy. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”"
Entering the field of play after an ejection is actually a suspend-able offense, even if it’s during a celebration of a walk-off. Harper’s actions afterwards may lead to even more discipline from the league.
#Nationals’ Harper facing fine or suspension for his actions after last night’s game. A player who is ejected is not allowed back on field.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 10, 2016
Baseball will look at totality of Harper’s conduct, including his apparent cursing of umpire Brian Knight after Robinson’s walkoff home run.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 10, 2016
If Harper does indeed get suspended, it would continue what has been a roller coaster season so far for the reigning NL MVP. Whether his unbelievable on-field play continues or not, he’s sure to make his mark on the game one way or another.
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The Nationals broke a 4-game losing streak with the win, and kept pace with the surging New York Mets. The Nats now sit just a half game out of first place in the NL East, with a record of 20-12.