It’s practically a foregone conclusion that the New York Yankees will make a serious run at Bryce Harper should the superstar enter free agency after the 2018 MLB season. While Harper has on occasion at least cryptically alluded to a desire to don pinstripes at some point, it appears his opinion of New York leaves something to be desired.
Perhaps lost amid all the buzz, pomp and circumstance of the All-Star Game this week in Miami were some comments from Washington Nationals slugger ahead of Tuesday’s game that suggest he’s not a big fan of New York’s hustle and bustle.
“Going to New York City for a couple days … I want to get out of there in about three days,” Harper said. “You go there for three days, it’s pretty crazy and hectic and I want to go back home. I want to go back home to D.C.”
Harper also railed against “rude” New York Mets fans in comments made earlier this week, so it would seem the Big Apple isn’t one of his favorite places. But does that mean Harper has completely ruled out playing for the Yankees? Absolutely and obviously not.
Harper in his comments also praised the Yankee organization’s “tradition” this week, but added he’d like to accomplish the same with the Nationals.
“That’s the thing I want to do in D.C.,” Harper said. “That’s why it’s so amazing to be able to start with a team that you can build the most tradition you can with.”
The Nationals (52-36, 9.5 games up in the NL East) without question have been among the elite teams in Major League Baseball for several years. And yet, postseason success has eluded the team. Should that continue, perhaps Harper will realize building a Yankee-esque tradition in D.C. may prove too difficult to achieve and decide it’s time to move on.
And just because Harper railed against the “crazy and hectic” tempo of New York does not mean the Yankees — or another team based in a bustling metropolitan area — won’t ultimately be an attractive option.
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