What's Not to Love About Bryce Harper?!?!

When you think of hard-nosed, down and dirty players, who do you think of? Dustin Pedroia? Buster Posey? Josh Hamilton? How about Derek Jeter? Regardless of whether these players are on your favorite team or not, you have respect for them. When they have a bad streak, you never feel good about it, and when they are on a hot streak, you're rooting for it to keep going. These are players that one might call "fan favorites." And why? Not because they are good (but it never hurt that they are), but because they play the game hard every pitch. They play the way the game is supposed to be played.

So why doesn't everyone love Bryce Harper as much as I do?? He knows the history of the game and he knows where it is going. There is nothing stopping this kid, and it's not because it was all given to him. He earned the right to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 by working harder than anyone his age, day in and day out.

People say he's cocky, arrogant, and self-centered. He's 19, for God's sake!! If he was on a "normal" path, he would be a FRESHMAN in college. He isn't like everyone else and he knows it. He's a once in a lifetime talent and people are going to try to take advantage of him, so for all intents and purposes, he needs to remain above it all to survive. People also say he doesn't take time to acknowledge the kids and sign autographs, which is totally not true. Granted, he doesn't spend every waking moment signing autographs, but no one does that. He is where he is to play baseball, not to provide you with free memorabilia. But even though it isn't his job, he still does sigh autographs and meets with kids and all that jazz. Rarely with the media around though, because he doesn't call them over. He has gone to hospitals just to surprise the kids there, because that's the person he is.

And even if you don't like him as a person, I mean that SWING! And that ARM! His talent is incredible and his ceiling is unlimited, so it's time to accept it. He hits 600 foot home runs! And throws 96 MPH (or maybe even higher by now)! Whatever this kid can't do now (and there isn't a lot), he will do eventually. He could actually be the first to hit 80 home runs in a season. He could actually be the first to break 1000 career home runs. He could actually have the first (dare I say) 60-60 season.

I'm not saying he will, but I'm not saying he won't.