Dylan Bundy says he would hit Bryce Harper 'all four at-bats'

[gamer]

There is no reason for Harper "barking back," or however it was worded in this thread. Point is Jackie Robinson could've "barked back," but he didn't. Harper needs to learn this isn't JUCO anymore, he could get himself, or his teamates hurt. As for Bundy's quote,,,, love it!

[Stotle]

Did ARod go through this?

Not close to what Harper goes through now; certainly not close to what Harper has faced middle school and higher.

I'm not saying people need to feel sorry for him -- I don't. But they should maybe try to understand the situation before offering up condemnations about how he carries himself.

[Stotle]

He could have gone the route of the humble superstar. He hasn't. It's hard to blame that on anyone but himself. Some of that heckling is brought on by himself.

His is a very natural human response, so I don't think it means he's a bad guy. He could take a different approach though.

There is no reason for Harper "barking back," or however it was worded in this thread. Point is Jackie Robinson could've "barked back," but he didn't. Harper needs to learn this isn't JUCO anymore, he could get himself, or his teamates hurt. As for Bundy's quote,,,, love it!

How dare the high school senior have some growing up to do. Come on, guys.

Also, comparing him to Jackie Robinson breaking into the Majors (at age 28!!!!) is completely reasonable...

[gamer]

You missed the whole point obviosly Harper isn't Jackie Robinson,,, I have so much respect for Robinson, but Harper, I do not. Harper is an execptional player, no doubt about it, doesn't mean I like him.

How dare the high school senior have some growing up to do

I understand he's young but when you're worth millions and millions of dollars, that not a good excuse

[allstar1579]

You missed the whole point obviosly Harper isn't Jackie Robinson,,, I have so much respect for Robinson, but Harper, I do not. Harper is an execptional player, no doubt about it, doesn't mean I like him.

I understand he's young but when you're worth millions and millions of dollars, that not a good excuse

I think you are making the mistake that most fans make, forgetting that pro athletes are still people. The point is, it's completely unfair to expect an 18 year old kid who should just be finishing graduation to act like a 10 year seasoned pro athlete.

[Stotle]

You missed the whole point obviosly Harper isn't Jackie Robinson,,, I have so much respect for Robinson, but Harper, I do not. Harper is an execptional player, no doubt about it, doesn't mean I like him.

I understand he's young but when you're worth millions and millions of dollars, that not a good excuse

It's unfortunate that your opinion is one that is shared by many baseball fans. We're probably all fortunate that we didn't have a storm of media following us around beginning our sophomore year of high school, huh?

[Austin]

The most offensive thing about Harper is that horrifying teenage mustache he's sporting. Just awful.

[LookinUp]

How dare the high school senior have some growing up to do. Come on, guys.

This is the point though. I agree that age is a factor and a valid excuse. But it's also true that he probably could improve things if/when he grows up a little bit. By the way, I came into this thread defending him, so I'm definitely not anti-Harper. To the contrary. I'm just pointing out that he's not a 100% victim in all of this.

[Stotle]

This is the point though. I agree that age is a factor and a valid excuse. But it's also true that he probably could improve things if/when he grows up a little bit. By the way, I came into this thread defending him, so I'm definitely not anti-Harper. To the contrary. I'm just pointing out that he's not a 100% victim in all of this.

Understood -- and I did acknowledge he brings some of this on himself. The reality is he will probably just have to deal with wearing the black hat. That's the role most want for him right now. I have little doubt the Nats fanbase will support him, and with time I assume he'll grow up some and eventually be viewed in a possitive light.

[gamer]

have you guys played a sport at all at a somewhat high level, kissing at the pitcher would get you a fastball at the ribs at ANY level of play, I know he's young, thats unfortunate, I'm just saying he needs to grow up quickly.

And it's not just Harper,,, any player no matter 18 y/o or a 20 year vet, if I was in professional baseball (which I obviously am not ) and you acted with the arrogance he (Harper) acted with, then I would wan't you to face the consequences. I don't want to see a kid, or any player for that matter, to get hit in the head but nothing is wrong with a fastball in the ribs. HARPER IS A GREAT PLAYER, no doubt about, thats not the reason that I don't like him, and I get he's under extreme pressure, but that doesn't make his actions justified

[allstar1579]

have you guys played a sport at all at a somewhat high level, kissing at the pitcher would get you a fastball at the ribs at ANY level of play, I know he's young, thats unfortunate, I'm just saying he needs to grow up quickly.

And it's not just Harper,,, any player no matter 18 y/o or a 20 year vet, if I was in professional baseball (which I obviously am not ) and you acted with the arrogance he (Harper) acted with, then I would wan't you to face the consequences. I don't want to see a kid, or any player for that matter, to get hit in the head but nothing is wrong with a fastball in the ribs. HARPER IS A GREAT PLAYER, no doubt about, thats not the reason that I don't like him, and I get he's under extreme pressure, but that doesn't make his actions justified

It's easy to judge someone with half a story. You do know the kissy face was in retaliation, not starting the whole thing right? It had been going on for two days already.

Again, I'm not saying that he's completely innocent, but people are overreacting and want to make him the immature villain without knowing the whole story.

[Stotle]

have you guys played a sport at all at a somewhat high level, kissing at the pitcher would get you a fastball at the ribs at ANY level of play, I know he's young, thats unfortunate, I'm just saying he needs to grow up quickly.

And it's not just Harper,,, any player no matter 18 y/o or a 20 year vet, if I was in professional baseball (which I obviously am not ) and you acted with the arrogance he (Harper) acted with, then I would wan't you to face the consequences. I don't want to see a kid, or any player for that matter, to get hit in the head but nothing is wrong with a fastball in the ribs. HARPER IS A GREAT PLAYER, no doubt about, thats not the reason that I don't like him, and I get he's under extreme pressure, but that doesn't make his actions justified

If you think blowing a kiss at a pitcher is a rare occurrence, you haven't watched teenagers play high level baseball. Add to that there was apparently a lot of "back and forth" leading up to this and I think you are mischaracterizing things some.

EDIT -- I appreciate the back and forth and understand I may be overly protective of Harper being blasted. I just have a soft spot for kids being unfairly chewed up in the public. Bryce is a big kid and can handle himself -- I understand.

[aggie]

definately needs to have one stuck in his ear a la Bob Gibson

[Stotle]

definately needs to have one stuck in his ear a la Bob Gibson

I think it's funny that pitches can be as big of an ass as they'd like without fear of anything happening, but if a batter banters back he should be open to physical abuse. Gotta love double standards.

[Murray#1]

If you think blowing a kiss at a pitcher is a rare occurrence, you haven't watched teenagers play high level baseball. Add to that there was apparently a lot of "back and forth" leading up to this and I think you are mischaracterizing things some.

EDIT -- I appreciate the back and forth and understand I may be overly protective of Harper being blasted. I just have a soft spot for kids being unfairly chewed up in the public. Bryce is a big kid and can handle himself -- I understand.

When I was in high school I hit a bomb that was a no doubter, flipped the barrel of the bat up to my shoulder and held the bat like a shotgun, yelled pull and acted like I was shooting skeet. Then I walked halfway to first base and then slowly jogged the rest of the way around. I'm embarrassed that I would do something like that, but I was a jerk when I was that age.