Bryce Harper

[Beastmode]

Here's a suggestion; How about Harper gets a ring before he mouths off. One MVP and he thinks he's Buster Posey. He can't wear Buster's jock. Who's next; Mike Trout talking about modern players changing the game? Brandon Crawford has two more rings than both they guys combined.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by Beastmode

Here's a suggestion; How about Harper gets a ring before he mouths off. One MVP and he thinks he's Buster Posey. He can't wear Buster's jock. Who's next; Mike Trout talking about modern players changing the game? Brandon Crawford has two more rings than both they guys combined.

Can't tell if serious.

[packs]

Harper is the face of the game and has been the future face of the game since he was in high school. It's foolish to see him any other way. The guy won the MVP last year at 22 years old. He was the third youngest player ever to do that. Stop acting like he's Stephen Strasburg. He's not. He lives up to the hype. His opinions on the future of the game are more relevant than anyone else's because he IS the future of the game, like or not.

[Snapolit1]

. . .and why the heck does someone have to have championship rings to express an opinion on anything. I am a Met fan and boo the hell out of Harper all year long, but you'd have to be a stone cone dummy not to realize he is an out spoken but charismatic and thoughtful guy. I welcome his opinions.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

He lives up to the hype.

He lived up to the hype for 1 year. ONE YEAR! When he strings together several good years in a row, let me know.

Edited to add: I wish I had $1 for every prospect that was called a "phenom" that ended up a bust.

[packs]

I don't think you'd have very many dollars if you threw in the caveat that the phenom had to have won the ROY and MVP award before their 23rd birthday.

Edited to add: I think any team would be happy with their 1st overall pick if that player went on to win an MVP and was a 3 time all star. And these accomplishments are part of the first 4 seasons of Harper's career. He's a rare player. I understand why some people don't like him and are resistant to change, but that doesn't make him wrong.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Harper this year seemed to eradicate his only weakness, impatience at the plate. Of course nobody is a sure thing, and he does seem injury prone, but if the Red Sox wanted to sign him, I would not object.

[irishdenny]

Apologies fir the double post...

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Edited to add: I wish I had $1 for every prospect that was called a "phenom" that ended up a bust.

I totally agree... I remember Kevin Maas!
However, I can't think of one that Won an MVP,
Let Alone at 22.

So... Do You Really Believe that He MiGHT be the next one
That You won't get a buck for?

Just Sayin...

Ohhh, do You Really Think he is Still a Prospect... Interestin!?

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by irishdenny

I totally agree... I remember Kevin Maas!
However, I can't think of one that Won an MVP,
Let Alone at 22.

So... Do You Really Believe that He MiGHT be the next one
That You won't get a buck for?

Just Sayin...

Ohhh, I do You Really Think he is Still a Prospect... Interestin!?

Baseball has had some pretty memorable phenoms in my lifetime--- Gooden (ROY and CY Young by I think 20?), Pujols (whether his age is real or not, those first 10 years were unreal), Griffey (his game was so pure), Trout, and to a lesser degree guys like Ryan Braun, Man Ram, etc. All were super young when they broke in, and had incredible immediate impact.

The thing that stands out to me about Harper though, is he's been pegged for greatness since 15 when he was on SI's cover. He was the closest thing to LeBron that I can think of in recent major pro sports. In the face of all that pressure and expectation most guys eventually fizzle. Remember SI's "Super Kid"? who never appeared in a major league game? or Freddy Adu? I think Harper's fully living up to his hype, and is only getting better. It's all the more impressive given the very early national exposure, scrutiny and pressure he's faced throughout.

Like him or not (though, I lean old school, I really like him), he's the most exciting at bat in baseball, and I think he is 100000% good for the game. I think this entire controversy and debate is good for baseball. People are talking about it!!

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

Harper is the face of the game and has been the future face of the game...

Well your future face of the game proves once again he is a classless douche bag...

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news...ong-jcole-gmod

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Well your future face of the game proves once again he is a classless douche bag...

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news...ong-jcole-gmod

That's not too bad. Mickey Mantle once told my aunt Rose something similar at the Cocacabana's coat check room. Not exactly the same. One word. But close enough.

[Clutch-Hitter]

Mission-Team-Self

Used to be a 49ers fan, enjoyed Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, etc. I recall them celebrating a team achievement, not individual achievements. Watched all NFL games back then. Anyway, T.O, arrived and caught his first T.D. pass, which was followed by tears. I liked him. He 'progressed' into pulling a sharpie out of his sock and signing a football in the endzone. I turned if off that day and haven't watched a single down since. Stuff like that became out of control and football suffered a significant reduction in class.

If there are unwritten rules, as its been coined, they're made by the players' teammates and retired players (didn't include managers/coaches because they seem to have little say). They have a mission and work together to accomplish it and fans should not have a say. Show boating was something to avoid in the past and any Team that attempts to play as a team will deter it.

But if we're forced to think about the individuals, I'd like more Dale Murphy and Fred McGriff, please. Football and basketball inherently require more aggression, both in quantity and quality, including body contact, and result in more opportunities for emotional celebration as a resut. Emotional celebration for team achievement is genuine and obvious. Other celebration is based on narcissism (sic?).

Respectfully

[packs]

Something people haven't brought up yet is that baseball itself thinks it's tired. They've changed rules every year in an attempt to liven up the game. So what exactly did Harper say that isn't reflected in baseball's own vision of its current self?