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Bryce Harper gets booed loudly in return to Nationals Park, strikes out in first at bat

By Cara Bahniuk

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April 2, 2019 8:34 pm

After being drafted first overall selection in the 2010 MLB draft and spending the first seven years of his MLB career in Washington, Bryce Harper appeared at Nationals Park for the first time in a visiting team’s jersey.

Harper failed to come to terms with the Nationals after two reported offers, and ultimately signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for a 13-year $330 million contract at the end of February.

Harper was greeted by boos during a pregame video tribute. Harper was booed as he was introduced to the crowd before his first at bat. Harper struck out against Nationals ace Max Scherzer. The crowd cheered! Harper was then booed as he ran out to right field.

Basically, it’s been a big giant boo fest.

Video

In a thank you Instagram post earlier in the day, Harper spoke somewhat optimistically about what he thought his reception would be from fans as a member of one of the Nats’ most hated rivals.

“When I run on the field tonight I am sure to hear some boos,” Harper said “but I will always remember the cheers and the screams that are still with me right now, as I start my new chapter.”

Some boos was generous.

The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty also observed that the angry greeting could be heard through the closed press box windows.

Harper saw six pitches in his first at bat, striking out swinging.

In Harper’s second at bat, he struck out swinging again.

Fans in right field wore t-shrits spelling out TRAITOR, while other fans destructed their Harper 34 jerseys.

Someone brought a sign suggesting Papelbon was right.

There was also a fan dressed up in a clown costume.

The Nationals twitter had the last word, tweeting the popular Ariana Grande lyrics, which we totally did better but whatever.

PS – Unrelated but related, the Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games of the Stanley Cup Final. 😃

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