Long toss: Is it too much?
In this morning's newspaper, Thomas Boswell wrote about the huge amount of attention surrounding Bryce Harper so far at spring training.
After security men and Washington Nationals officials had pried Bryce Harper out of the middle of a scrum of autograph hounds who had the 18-year-old backed up against a fence, Manager Jim Riggleman walked back to the clubhouse, shaking his head at the rock-star mosh pit caused by a rookie.
"It's just too much," Riggleman muttered, figuring out ways to protect Harper from being swamped as he leaves the practice field on future days.
Today, Adam Kilgore tweeted that Harper and Jayson Werth left the field on golf carts to avoid the autograph crush. (Harper will speak to reporters later this afternoon.)
What do you think? Although Harper is obviously more comfortable spotlight than Stephen Strasburg was last year, he is just 18 years old. How far should the Nats go in trying to shield him from fan and media attention?
By
Washington Post editors
| February 22, 2011; 1:35 PM ET
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Bryce Harper
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Who cares, seriously, this is a waste of tube space.
Posted by: Sunderland | February 22, 2011 1:41 PM | Report abuse
"Long toss: Is it too much?"
Yes. Yes. Oh God yes. Long Toss is too much. I've been saying so ever since you started it. Now would you please quit?
Posted by: FeelWood | February 22, 2011 1:47 PM | Report abuse
Autograph areas at Spring Training should be cordened off and only allow kids. Harper shouldn't be wasting his time with people planning to sell his signature on EBay 10 minutes after receiving it.
Posted by: Handsome_John_Pruitt | February 22, 2011 1:49 PM | Report abuse
If you don't care, you are free to move on. My take is that Harper is a media hound and probably relishes the attention. He seems to be the "anti-Strasburg". Thanks for the coverage Adam. Ignore the monday morning sports editors.
Posted by: Natstoyou | February 22, 2011 1:49 PM | Report abuse
Media AND publicity hound. I don't mean it negatively either.
Posted by: Natstoyou | February 22, 2011 1:50 PM | Report abuse
The team is right to shelter Harper if they can. I'm a little baffled why they would need to shelter Werth. There must be something else going on there - like there was an open seat on the golf cart - but for the money Jason should be front and center at all autograph sessions. Get off the cart Jason.
Posted by: whatsaNATaU | February 22, 2011 2:09 PM | Report abuse
My comment was held because I used a foul term. Shame on me.
Posted by: JohninMpls | February 22, 2011 2:26 PM | Report abuse
Hmm, why not just let Jim Riggleman sign for him? As he did with that little tyke? Doesn't seem like Riggleman is worth much might as well give him some other odd jobs. Maybe he can clean up the lockers too?
Posted by: periculum | February 22, 2011 2:32 PM | Report abuse
He may as well get used to it now. He won't be in DC this season; maybe the novelty will wear off for fans by next Spring Training, so Harper can concentrate on his game instead of his signature.
Posted by: trebor0012 | February 22, 2011 3:59 PM | Report abuse
As long as he is hangin' with the monster man "Worthit," he is in good company.
Posted by: dorseylaw | February 22, 2011 4:20 PM | Report abuse
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