Who is the Punk Now?

Throwing you a bender because I just thought you should know...

The Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper did all the things that could get him labeled as a punk despite always playing hard. He played and competed as hard as anybody could, but maybe not doing it the "right way." However, in a very short time, he has managed to eliminate some and corral other behaviors that got him so labeled.

Think about it, how many 16-18 year old kids with an attitude do you know that have had tons of money heaped upon them at age 19, have quickly turned it around and managed to do everything right upon reaching the ultimate level of their profession?

He ditched the ridiculous eye black. He wears his uniform properly, no baggy pajama pants and untucked jersey. He also has the proper stirrup look! Apparently, he even watched Bull Durham several times in order to master his delivery of the cliches required to deal with the media onslaught. 

 

And I ask now, what attitude has Harper displayed since being in the bigs? Running hard regardless where he hits the ball? I would take that from every player. Being disciplined enough as a hitter to receive 5 walks in 26 at bats so far? I would love that out of any hitter, yet alone my 19 year old rookie. Positioning himself properly to make laser throws on runners? Seems like a good idea for any outfielder. Going from first to third on a base hit to left field? Wow! Stealing home on a veteran pitcher and left handed first baseman? Seems pretty heads up and smart for any age runner.

 

Indeed, he may wear the worst haircut in baseball, but he is 19. Did any of us have a decent haircut at that age? Also, he picked a profession where his bad haircut is covered 99.9% of the time. Seems pretty brilliant from that aspect. At this point, I have to give him a pass on the haircut as it may even just be some middle age, balding guys, with an attitude, riding Harper for it.

Gary Sheffield was still a punk into his 40's, Carlos Zambrana may just now be "getting it" as a 32 year old. And this time it seems to me that Cole Hamels is the punk here.

No, there is nothing wrong with a "welcome to the bigs" plunking, but you leave it at that.  If you are truly old school as Hamels is claiming, you don't admit to the press following the game you were trying to hit him. Old school means not having to explain yourself or look for acceptance from the baseball scribes. I can't even imagine what his old school manager, Charlie Manuel, is really thinking. But based on the unwritten rule of not showing up your players, Charlie will never voice it publicly. Don Drysdale is rolling over in his grave right now and Bob Gibson is probably trying to figure out which one is really the rookie. Both of those "old schoolers" would have hit him, stared him down, and left it at that.

In the third inning, Washington starter Jordan Zimmerman hit Hamels in the leg with one out and a runner on first when the Phillies pitcher squared to bunt. This was the proper move. Being in the National League, Zimmerman had a chance to retaliate against the actual perpetrator and did so. It was over and done at that point without Zimmerman trying to show off to the media later with any admission of trying to hit Hamels. This is old school, this is baseball.

So maintain your opinion of Harper for as long as you like, but keep watching carefully. With a .308 average and .924 OPS as a 19 year old rookie, he is going to continue to play and will get more than ample opportunity to be seen, interviewed and analyzed. But so far he has just done his part to "help the team in any way he can," and "to take it one game at a time."

Somewhere Bob Gibson is just laughing and shaking his head...rookies....

All this because I know more about nothing...