Tuesday night’s final game of the WBC, Team USA against Venezuela, showcased some really good baseball. What wasn’t highlighted much, though, was Bryce Harper‘s leadership displayed both on and off the field.
Bryce Harper Shows Leadership in the WBC
How the tables have turned for the United States of America’s World Baseball Classic team. After being the favorites to win the tournament with an insanely loaded roster, they’re back in second place again. I could go on and on about how the US was poorly managed and wasn’t used to its full potential. But there’s something deeper about what happened in the championship game against Venezuela. Harper did something no one else on the team did after the loss. After crushing a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game 2-2, facing defeat later in the 9th inning didn’t change Harper’s sportsmanship.
According to reports, Harper was the only notable Team USA player to re-emerge during Venezuela’s celebration to shake hands and congratulate them after the devastating loss. Meanwhile, many Team USA players were visibly upset and immediately took off their silver medals and went back to the dugout. Harper, on the other hand, took his silver medal and congratulated Venezuela. He later expressed that despite wanting to win gold, he had “nothing but respect” for the Venezuelan team’s performance.
It’s Not About How You Start, It’s About How You Finish
Heading into the championship game, Harper was having a rough tournament. Harper was batting .176 with only three hits and 1 RBI in 17 at-bats. Not usual Harper stats, right? All of the underwhelming numbers were completely dismissed because Harper once again showed up when it mattered the most. Harper does Harper things and silenced the haters and the “Not Elite” enthusiasts with a game-tying 432′ no-doubt home run to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs to even up the score.
Now, it was an amazing moment filled with chills, but that home run may be forgotten since they didn’t finish the job. The home run was notable, but you know what was more notable? The fact that, even though Harper single-handedly showed up in this championship game, losing in the end didn’t make him a sore loser. If you truly think about it, imagine you tie the game up for your country in the championship and still lose. That would pain you and discourage you in some aspect, right? Not Harper. Instead, he put his chin up and congratulated the winners.
Is the USA Team Under Controversy?
The USA team could be under serious controversy for not shaking hands and congratulating Venezuela’s team. Yes, in baseball, after a game, you usually just go to your dugout and back to the clubhouse. But this was the World Baseball Classic championship. You would think maybe the USA team players, seeing Harper go out of his way to congratulate Venezeula would encourage them to do so as well? Nope, instead, some took off their medals while walking back to the dugout, and that was that. Game over.
To me, that leaves a poor taste in my mouth and raises questions about whether the USA team wasn’t a TEAM but was just a bunch of individual star players on a team. These elite players have every right to be mad, sad, or disappointed, but being good sports in this GREAT American sport would show the world that they are proud and grateful for the opportunity to play against outstanding athletes. Instead, Harper stood for what all Philly fans expect from their Team of Brotherly Love: When you step between those lines, you respect the game, your opponent, and yourself–a true reflection of baseball tradition.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
