Sports Blog
June 7, 2011 10:26 AM

Bryce Harper homers, blows kiss to pitcher

By
Stephen Smith
Topics
Baseball

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Washington Nationals taking Bryce Harper as the No. 1 overall pick.

Ever since, the hitting phenom has been crushing minor league pitching (thanks in part to new contact lenses). But, if this video is any indication, he's not only destroying baseballs, he's disrespecting pitchers with the swagger of a major league jerk.

Check out this video above from CSNWashington.com in a game between Harper's Hagerstown Suns and the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Pitcher Zachary Neal, apparently unamused by Harper's admiring stare and slow trot, glared at him as he went around the bases - then, as the video shows, Harper blew Neal a kiss on his way to home plate. He continued barking at Neal as he made his way toward the dugout.

According to CBSSports.com's C. Trent Rosecrans, Neal wasn't pitching for Greensboro when Harper came up in eighth, but the Grasshoppers were holding a 3-2 lead, so there was no retaliation.

Of course we don't know what Neal said to Harper or if they have a history but the 18-year-old slugger can probably expect to be drilled when the teams meet again. Stay tuned.


  • Stephen Smith

    Stephen Smith is a news producer and sports editor for CBSNews.com

Add a Comment
by tsw10 June 8, 2011 2:19 PM EDT
This is completely overblown. This guy hit him intentionally with a pitch in an earlier meeting. It's called sweet revenge. Secondly, this pitcher standing and glaring at him as he rounds the bases is certainly grounds for an unnoticed (unless caught in slow motion) and well-deserved response. Hey... a kiss is a sign of affection. Maybe they love each other.
Reply to this comment
by cvenable39 June 7, 2011 2:38 PM EDT
So many athletes have become complete jerks, and it sounds like another one has taken the bait. Sad. Always refreshing to see a professional sports figure who acts like a professional.
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