Harper HBP + Harper Steals Home + Hamels HBP + No whining = Good “Old-Fashioned” Hardball

Phillies’ Hurler Cole Hamels gave Nationals’ phenom Bryce Harper an old-style welcome to the big leagues Sunday – drilling the 19-year-old outfielder with a 93-mph fastball (on his first pitch to the rookie) in the bottom of the first inning.  Harper handled it in what BBRT considers true major league fashion.  His didn’t charge the mound, he didn’t glare out at Hamels, he just dropped his bat and took first base.   He then went on to extract his revenge, moving to third on a Jayson Werth single and then taking a big lead and stealing home when Hamel attempted to pick Werth off first.

It all reminded BBRT of when MLB featured “good old-fashioned hardball” – a time when rookies were welcomed to the big leagues by spending time on their backsides in the batter’s box, when a home run by the hitter in front of you meant you were going to hit the dirt, and when a multi-homer game was usually rewarded with a baseball-sized bruise  (and they didn’t wear batting helmets … Yes, I’m that old.)

And, Sunday’s game got even more old school in the third inning when Nationals’ pitcher hit Jordan Zimmerman hit Hamels with a pitch.

After the game, Hamels confirmed his intentions, admitting he meant to hit Harper.  In his own words,  “I was trying to hit him. I’m not going to deny it. It’s something I grew up watching. That’s what happened. I’m just trying to continue the old baseball.”

As Hamels even more succinctly put it, “It’s just, ‘Welcome to the big leagues.”‘  It may cost Hamels (dollars and days off) when the NL reviews his remarks, but BBRT appreciates the honesty and the intent (Hamels indicated he was not trying to injure Harper and he did not go headhunting.)

Still, there will be those who are offended by Hamels action.  Interestingly Harper is not among them. After the game, about the worst thing Harper had to say about Hamels was that he’s a great pitcher – and reports are that he said it with a smile.  Hamels returned the compliment noting that he sees Harper as a player with a lot of talent and energy who’s “going to make a really good name for himself.”

As far as the revenge taken by the Nationals (although Zimmerman denied purposefully hitting Hamels), Hamels was willing to take as good as he gave, saying, “I think they understood the message and they threw it right back. That’s the way, and I respect it.”

Well, BBRT now has two new heroes … Hamels and Harper, who together brought some good old-fashioned hardball to the Phillies 9-3 win.