Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper Press Conference Thread Live On MASN and MASNSports.com
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 4:23 PM EDT
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PrintYou might not have recognized him out there without the eye black that was the trademark of the Washington Nationals' 2010 no.1 overall pick Bryce Harper during his prospect days, but as soon as he started swinging during his first BP in Nationals Park, there was no doubt about who it was at the plate. MLB.com's Bill Ladson was there along with the majority of the Nats beat writers and he captured some of the action live on the Twitter:
MLB.com's Bill Ladson @WashingNats: "What a shot! It was an Adam Dunn-type home run RT @washingnats: Bryce #Harper hit a ball in the third deck in right field at #Nats Park.
Sporting a mohawk and showing off the power that allowed him to hit for an absurd .443/.526/.987 slash line, with 23 doubles, 4 triples, 31 HR's, 98 RBI's and 20 steals in 66 games and 228 AB's during his freshman year as an underaged Junior College student at the College of Southern Nevada while playing with and against players two years older than he was, Harper impressed everyone who watched what he was able to do this afternoon.
At 5:45 pm EST, the Nationals will officially introduce the 17 (going on 18 in October) outfielder to the D.C. baseball media in a press conference that will be broadcast live on MASN and streamed live on MASNSports.com. The Nationals held Stephen Strasburg's press conference on the field last year, but the Nats' '09 1st Round pick was considered to be a lot closer to the Majors, and the fact that the Nats had signed him when many in baseball doubted they'd be able to get a deal done provided more of a reason for a celebratory event.
Strasburg signed a 4-year/$15.1 million major league dollar deal, and the Nats who finished with the worst record in baseball for the second-straight year in '09, were the first team in the history of the draft to pick no.1 overall in two straight seasons. Harper's deal, a 5-year/$9.9 million dollar major league deal set a precendent for what a position player was able to command in the draft, just as Strasburg's deal set the mark for pitchers. Believed by some to be two or three years away from playing in the majors, Harper is nonetheless considered a can't miss prospect, and though batting practice is not way to judge how he'll perform against major league competition there's little doubt that anyone who watched what he was able to do came away impressed.
• Several reports are alread posted:
• Washington Post Nationals Journal Adam Kilgore- "Bryce Harper goes long at batting practice"
"Washington Nationals top pick Bryce Harper took batting practice today at Nationals Park before his introductory news conference, and in front of team executives, agent Scott Boras, players from both teams and a throng of media he promptly deposited a pitch into the third deck in right field."
• NATS INSIDER - Mark Zuckerman - "Strasburg on pace to return Tuesday"
"There's a game to be played tonight, and there's a pretty important storyline to it with Jordan Zimmermann returning to the mound 12 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention what's taking place on the field right now."
• MASNSports.com Ben Goessling: The Goessling Game: Bryce Harper taking BP at Nationals Park
"Dressed in Nationals workout gear and sporting a mohawk, Harper has already knocked one off the facing of the third deck, and then put one in the third deck. He hit back-to-back shots into both bullpens, has put several balls in the second deck and is consistently driving the ball out of the park to right center. "
• Follow Press Conference Live: We'll be watching the Bryce Harper Press Conference here and updating in the comments section before tonight's game if you want to follow along as the Nats' 2010 1st Round pick is introduced to the press:
Bryce Harper is Here....
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Are you sure we can't play him instead of Willie Harris?
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
I agree. Do you think anyone would notice?
Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.
by Princess Jazzy on Aug 26, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll have a jersey in a little over an hour, might as well let him play...
Back at 5:45 if anyone wants to follow presser…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
It was funny
Every one is expecting a 2-4 year seasoning process in the minors and I mentioned to someone how they might send him to the AFL and he probably wouldn’t do great there, and they asked “what is he does?” That is one hell of a question. What if he is just that good?
by David Huzzard on Aug 26, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
minimums
they should have some minimums set up in case he is just that good….. that way his ego gets seasoned and he is mentally prepared for the big show even if it comes quicker than any other prospect would expect ….
by NewJerseyAveSE on Aug 26, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy third deck smash-a-roo Batman !!!
Riddle me this one Natstown…did you feel the hair come up off your skin or what ? Today it’s good to be in Natstown. Well, maybe this hour….one step at a time.
yup, let's take this one step at a time today.
Harper = good BP.
Z’nn hopefully next throwing strikes nice and easy.
then late word on Stras’ MRI.
let’s hit the trifecta tonight NatsTown!
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
[Crosses fingers] One can only hope.
Patiently waiting for "next year" since 1971.
by Princess Jazzy on Aug 26, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Think they'll really announce Strasburg's results post game?
Or wait til tomorrow?
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
hard to tell.
but the results will “probably” be availble to the team tonight, acc’d to source.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Heard the same from someone with an attachment to Nats on XM...
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Not good early returns on the Harper Hawk....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:41 PM EDT reply actions
"It is my extreme pleasure to formally introduce Bryce Harper..." - Rizzo on the podium.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions
Zim shows up the FOF to hand out the #34 Nats jersey...
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:44 PM EDT reply actions
Cameras are a flicking....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:44 PM EDT reply actions
"Felt like home..." being able to hit in Nats Park...
And he did hit a few opposite field hits, says that’s where he thinks his power is to left…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:46 PM EDT reply actions
Rizzo thinks Harper has the skill set to play OF...
Drafted for the bat… Has high baseball IQ….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:49 PM EDT reply actions
"Develop him at a rate that maximizes his impactability"....
Don’t know how to spell impactability….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
"Dad has been huge in everything that he's done..."
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:51 PM EDT reply actions
Doesn't know where all the power comes from....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
Got to meet Albert Pujols...has known him for a while....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
"When I'm playing you, I want to beat the crap out of you, pretty much..."
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
The ladies like his mohawk....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
Will play in Florida instructional league with top prospects....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:54 PM EDT reply actions
Book flights to Florida for Instructional League action...
I bet he’ll be in AFL….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Adam Dunn might be one of the funniest guys he ever met...
Say #signDUNN kid!!
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:55 PM EDT reply actions
Been hitting and working in gym over the summer...
A horrible break according to Harper….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:56 PM EDT reply actions
"I'm not where I want to be...not up at the big league level..." yet....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions
Last question is about his dog...
Nice, MSMers….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:59 PM EDT reply actions
Now Riggles talking to Johnny Holliday....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 5:59 PM EDT reply actions
That was quick and relatively quote less...
Oppo-Boppo?
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:00 PM EDT reply actions
Says you'll be seeing the Nats in the postseason soon....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:01 PM EDT reply actions
"I used to hit little red beans with a stickball bat" to work on eye....
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:02 PM EDT reply actions
C to OFer....
Catching is such a demanding position, offense is really third part of catcher’s job," Rizzo says, that’s why he’s moving Harp to OF….
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:03 PM EDT reply actions
AFL?
Florida Instructional league, possibility he could play some fall league games. see if he’s ready for an accelerated league like AFL.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
Rizzo had a Freudian moment for sure
I don’t have the exact quote, but he was talking about the promise of the future Nats with Harper, and he mentioned “the Zimmermans, the Desmonds, the Ramoses” and perhaps a few others. Glaringly obvious in absence was any mention of Adam Dunn.
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
was rattling off young players. Zim was the oldest he mentioned.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Lordy
these guys on the Riggins show are so completely clueless, it’s jawdropping.
Rob
"Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to perfection." -- Red Smith
I was watching earlier...
and they actually said Jordan Zimmermann was the 2008 first pick for the Nats. I’m no baseball historian, but I think a couple things are wrong with that statement. :-)
I think there is a rule that they all have to be just as loud and obnoxious as Riggo
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Riggo = King of DC.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I was very impressed witht he way he handled himself in the presser and afterward.
Someone asked him his first big purchase, he said; “Fix the dent in the door of my truck.” Asked why not buy new, he said “Why? It only has 120,000 miles on it.”
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 6:21 PM EDT reply actions
Did you kick him for me, Dave?
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
there were so many people in there, i couldn't find him.
there were at least 60 non-media in the press conference room.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at District Sports Page on Aug 26, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Have to go back to work, see anyone who's around in GameThread...
Go Zim(n) GO!!!
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Aug 26, 2010 6:26 PM EDT reply actions
I-MEAS-UR-ED-HAR-PERS-BP-HRS
THEY-ARE-EVEN-LONG-ER-THAN-WILY-MO-PE-NAS
ERR-OR. YOUR-STRIKE-ZONE-DOES-NOT-COM-PUTE.
by ROBOT UMPIRE on Aug 26, 2010 6:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
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