RAP:
Baseball’s best millennial slams participation trophies.
He’s got hipster hair, a beard, and an MVP trophy. Baseball’s most successful millennial — the guy who coined “that’s a clown question, bro” and wears “Make Baseball Great Again” hats — is pushing back on the progressive narrative that everyone deserves a trophy and that competition hurts feelings.
Speaking to a group of Little Leaguers at the Northwest Washington Little League, Nationals slugger Bryce Harper delivered a blunt message: don’t be satisfied with participation trophies. Harper, who is 24-years old and first debuted in the majors at age 18, said, “As much as they might tell you, ‘Oh, it’s okay you guys lost,’ but no, Johnny, no.”
“No participation trophies, okay. First place only,” Harper said to laughter and applause. more here
FYI, it’s Bryce Harper..
He also showed yesterday that a pitcher will get charged if he beams a batter in retribution for something that happened 2 years ago.
My kid got a participation trophy for playing baseball when he was about 9. He was excited to see all the trophies lined up before the game, then his team lost and they all got trophies. On the way home he was upset and could care less about his trophy.
About a year later I was emptying garbage cans and the participation trophy was in his can. I saved it and put it up on his shelf, he complained. He’s tried to throw it out a few more times, I keep fishing it out and putting it up for display. Now it’s just a big joke.
He quit team sports after that season and hasn’t played any since. I guess the participation trophy backfired in this instance.
Angels fans might want to argue the contention that Harper is MLB’s best millenial, although Mike Trout just went on the DL for the first time in his career. At 50 games into the season, Trout has already had a better season that most players will have all year.
@Old_Oaks — Why did you keep fishing it out of the garbage? Was it to remind him of the ridiculousness of the trophy…or? I’m glad he takes it as a joke now. But I’m sorry he hasn’t played team sports since then. Have you asked him if it’s because of the trophy incident? Would be curious to know.
Million dollar talent, 10 cent brain.
FYI – Bryan is his brother who is a pitcher in the Nat’s Farm system currently recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
As for Bryce – I’ve watched him his pro debut in minors and he’s grown up a lot in that time – is he perfect – no – I don’t think he ever will be as done of us ever will be.
But the man can play baseball and he gets paid well for it. I can’t think of another ballplayer who has the potential to do something noteworthy at the plate or in the field with every pitch.
I hate his hair but I love the right for him to wear like he wants. I love his candid responses and the irony of his life.
I know other people hate him like they hate Trump, or JJ Watt, or Tom Brady.
Bryce is our time’s Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Sandy Koufax, et al.
Love him or hate him he is loved by the kids and he basically doesn’t let them down.
Bryce is so good this pitcher held a grudge for THREE YEARS to pay him back.
Mr. Strickland needs to get a life, let his grudges go, and sleep better at night.
Sorry – but Bryce is dumped on way too much for what he is and has done for baseball and Washington’s kids.
Did I mention I’m a Nats fan?
AA, I’d say it’s 50/50 between the trophy and having no interest. He once tried out for basketball, but they selected the Mexican neighbor who was a foot and a half shorter and couldn’t play as well. Further I’m not a sports fan, so he’s probably following me. My daughter though she was passed up a few times for minorities, is big into volleyball, track, student council, etc. Yes I did fish the trophy out of the garbage to remind him of the ridiculousness.
old_oaks
Was never a big fan of team sports myself. I played them all when I was young. But I really liked the individual sports. Maybe have your son try a few of those.
If they don’t play for the Cubs….They’re all filthy Communists.
(an unbiased opinion)