Bryce Harper was suspended by Major League Baseball for one game on Wednesday following a confrontation with home plate umpire Brian Knight late in the Washington Nationals’ 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night. Harper is appealing the suspension.
In the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday, Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes, prompting several players in the Nationals’ dugout, including Harper, to yell at Knight. The umpire threw Harper out of the game, and Harper, incensed, had to be held back at the top of the dugout steps.
After Clint Robinson hit a walk-off home run less than five minutes later, Harper sprinted onto the field to celebrate with his teammates. Right after arriving to jump with his fellow players, Harper spotted Knight to his right, pointed and screamed an expletive at the umpire. Harper’s actions were caught by television cameras.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker said afterward that Harper had not sworn at the umpire earlier in the game. Baker also said that Knight told him he had “kept Harper” in the game when Harper had previously debated balls and strikes.
Harper did not back down from his actions following the game. He said he thought Knight deserved the comment. Harper also said that if he was to be fined, which he has been, he will just pay it, suggesting perhaps the umpire should be fined, too.
Though just in the early stages of his fourth season in the major leagues, Harper, who was named the youngest unanimous MVP in baseball history following last season, has been ejected seven times.
SEE ALSO: Bryce Harper doesn’t back down from displeasure with home plate umpire
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.