'It's Just Not Right': Bryce Harper Says Nationals Fans Crossed Line While Heckling Him In Phillies' Loss
WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper called out some Washington Nationals fans, saying they crossed the line heckling him in the eighth inning. The former Nationals star didn't get specific or repeat what the hecklers were saying, but he wasn't happy following a 5-2 loss Wednesday night, the team's fifth straight setback.
"They were fine all game, talking about myself and things like that," Harper said. "I get it everywhere I go. That's nothing new. But the last two innings, it's just not right. It's not right."
Phillies Drop 5th Straight Game With Loss To Nationals
He said he was eager to get back to Philadelphia and the great fans there.
"I've got 60,000 fans up in Philly that appreciate me as a player, appreciate me as an individual and my family, as well," Harper said. "I owe a lot to those people up there in Philly because they show up for me every single night and they're there to cheer us on and boo us and keep us going as a team and as individuals as well."
Kayla Harper, Bryce's wife, says some Nationals fans were making comments about their newborn son.
"When you bring his son or family into it, yes you're crossing a line. Stick to your overused overrated and Harper sucks chants if you're really that loser that goes to a game to heckle someone. Phillies fans might boo him but they don't bring his 4 week old son into it. Classless," she tweeted.
Harper left Washington after playing 927 games over seven years, participating in six All-Star Games and winning the 2015 NL MVP Award. He's been a target of boos since signing a $330 million, 13-year contract with the rival Phillies.
Washington has already clinched an NL playoff spot.
In the teams' first matchup in April, the boos by Nationals fans started when Harper's name was announced in the lineup, and derisive shouting followed during a video montage of his biggest moments with the Nationals. Harper was then booed at every at-bat, and when he took his position in right field, several fans were wearing white shirts that spelled out T-R-A-I-T-O-R.
He got a bit of retribution with a 458-foot homer that he punctuated with a bat flip.
Harper acknowledged he heard the boos in April, saying: "For me, that's part of sports, part of the game."
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)