Bryce Harper is not happy , as the Philadelphia Phillies star said Washington Nationals fans crossed the line with their heckling in Wednesday night’s clash between NL East rivals.
“They were fine all game, talking about myself and things like that, Harper said per Jesse Doughtery of the Washington Post. I get it everywhere I go. That’s nothing new. But the last two innings, it’s just not right. It’s not right.”
Harper did not elaborate on exactly what the fans said to him. But he made sure to emphasize how fans in Philly appreciate him as a player.
“I guess that’s what it is nowadays,” Harper continued. “Like I said the whole time, I’ve got 60,000 fans up in Philly that appreciate as a player, appreciate me as an individual and my family, as well…”
For six years the Nationals fans embraced and rooted for Harper as he called DC his professional home. The boos and heckling came from other ballparks, including Philadelphia’s Citizen Bank Park. After leaving Washington to sign a $330 million, 13-year deal with the Phillies, the roles have reversed.
Now Harper is booed and heckled in the nation’s capital. Tuesday, the Nationals eliminated Harper and the Phillies from postseason contention. Then clinched their own playoff berth by toppling their former star and his new team in the nightcap of a doubleheader later that day.
There has always been a fine line of what’s acceptable and not from fans. Presumably, despite signing with their biggest rival, Harper is taken back by the heckling coming from fans who once adored him just as much as what was possibly said.
