When Ron Harper Sr. went up to pitch to his son, he busted out a series of cutter fastballs.
(USA Today) — The Harper Family has taken over the 2013 Home Run Derby.
The Nationals’ All-Star Bryce Harper, he of the fame and the game, made his mark on the Derby, hitting eight home runs and advancing to the second round of the competition, all while sporting a gorgeous Mohawk.
While he was busy hitting home runs, though, his brother Bryan, who is a pitcher in the Nationals organization, was rocking the best mustache in Citi Field and quite possibly in all of New York.
Not to be outdone by either of his sons, Ron Harper (Bryce and Bryan’s dad) made an impression on the crowd as well.
When he went up to pitch to his son, Harper Sr. busted out a series of cutter fastballs that were breaking significantly. Bryce Harper has to deal with the crowd, the pressure, the bright lights and millions watching on TV…and his dad decides to fling in cutters, painting the corners, trying to make it even more difficult.
The Nationals want to host a future all-star game in Washington
(Washington Post) — NEW YORK — The names illustrate just how long 44 years takes to pass better than a number ever could. On July 23, 1969, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson were the No. 3 hitters. Steve Carlton pitched three innings and earned the win for the National League. Johnny Bench and Willie McCovey hit homers. Phil Niekro recorded the final out at RFK Stadium, and in the 44 years since, baseball’s all-star game has not come back to Washington.
Twenty-six cities have hosted the all-star game since RFK Stadium hosted it two generations ago. The Nationals and the District would like that to change, and they expect it will. They have been waiting since Nationals Park opened in 2008 to bring the Midsummer Classic to the nation’s capital. The Nationals have petitioned the commissioner’s office and the city has planned for the showcase eventually to come.
Tuesday night, the best baseball players in the world will line up on the foul lines at Citi Field. An army of media and fans will sleep in New York hotels and eat at New York restaurants. It may not happen until 2017 at the earliest, but the Nationals and the District expect the same scene and the same economic jolt to happen at home.
“It’s only a matter of time,” said Pedro Ribeiro, a spokesman for Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “The Nationals, they’ve proven to be a contender. Eventually the District will host the all-star game and we’re really looking forward to it. The District is the place to be right now.”
Washington’s next target to host the all-star game will have to be 2017, because MLB alternates between playing the game in the American and National leagues. It is not hard and fast — Pittsburgh and San Francisco held the event in 2006 and 2007 after a confluence of new National League parks opened. But with the Reds hosting in 2015, an American League park will almost certainly host in 2016.
