Bryce Harper rocks patriotic look in hometown HR Derby performance
Jul 16, 2018, 6:31 PM | Updated: 7:56 pm
Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) waves to fans during the MLB Home Run Derby, at Nationals Park, Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington. The 89th MLB baseball All-Star Game will be played Tuesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
One of the best parts of an All-Star Weekend in a sport is the host role for the star athlete from the host city’s team.
That player receives the hometown treatment and has mostly all of the crowd behind them during an event or game.
It’s a special moment for that player and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is that guy in MLB this week.
Before starting in center field for the National League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Harper participated in the Home Run Derby on Monday in the nation’s capital.
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Harper did so rocking a very patriotic look for his Nationals home crowd. He had a bandana, sleeve, socks and cleats with either an American or Nationals theme. Even his bat had the stars and stripes on it.
Bandana Bryce is in the building. pic.twitter.com/3CoxCojT6S
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2018
BAH GAWD THAT'S BRYCE HARPER'S MUSIC! pic.twitter.com/h5H6SnfVx5
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 17, 2018
It seemed to do the trick for the lefty.
Harper advanced past the first round, hitting 13 home runs to best Freddie Freeman. He hit six of his home runs over 440 feet, the most for any hitter in the first round.
Welcome to Bryceland. pic.twitter.com/8RiDLrRcb3
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2018
Harper would wind up winning the entire competition, hitting a home run in his bonus time against Kyle Schwarber in the finals.
Bryce Harper won the Home Run Derby in the most dramatic way possible. pic.twitter.com/qpnvbcx0xe
— ESPN (@espn) July 17, 2018
This, of course, could wind up being Harper’s last year with Washington. The superstar is in the last year of his contract and has been long linked to the New York Yankees.
“Everybody knew that at the beginning of the year this could be possibly my last year in D.C.,” Harper said. “There’s no elephant in the room. Everybody knows that that’s a possibility. But I’m not really focused on that. I’m focused on what I can do to help the team win on a daily basis.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
