Anyone See The Bryce Harper Bit on Yahoo??

[jbone17]

I smell Steroids and PEDs.............

I hope that I am wrong, but I gotta be honest, no 16 year old kid hits homeruns like that..........just doesnt happen.........and doping is getting to be quite common in High Schools.....just wouldnt surprise me..


TK

That was my next point.

 

[NECpilgrims8]

Wait a second, people here are bashing his parents for telling him he is a great ballplayer? Seriously people....

What parent doesn't tell their kids they are the greatest and believe in them 100%? Good for his parents for nurturing the greatest talent he was given in life and instilling the drive to be the best in him. That is what parenting should be, and I am quite sure we aren't seeing the case of the overstepping parent. The kid seems to have a rare drive to always be the best, which is something some MLB players could learn from.

The kid has dreams and he isn't afraid to express them, as far down the line as some of them are. Let him have his dream and there is no reason to wish him failure or harm. That's just being jealous, arrogant, and/or hateful.

 

[trevordchi]

Man that kid is arrogant. All you people that bashed me for blaming the parents can keep bashing. NO ONE is that arrogant w/o mommy and daddy telling him he is the greatest. I'm not saying he needs to be cliche but come on.

I hope he falls on his face and never makes the bigs.

It's one thing to think about making the majors at 18, making the hall of fame, and being the greatest ever. To tell SI you expect those things is something a cocky, immature, 16 year old does. People that think they are God's gift to anything annoy the hell out of me and this guy definitely thinks his shat don't stink.

Would you have preferred him predicting he'd become an average player with average stats and an average career?

HE'S 16 YEARS OLD!

Nearly all kids his age talk that way, and with all the intense media scrutiny he's under, it's virtually impossible for none of it to go to his head.

If we're talking maturity, let's re-read the bolded statement you just wrote.

I'm immature because I hope he fails? I hope the Cubs fail too. Does that make me immature?

I don't like people that think they are better than everyone else. Every couple years we see another "greatest prospect ever". This kid is no different. Sure he is uber-talented but so were dozens of other guys that ended up being mediocre. He needs to learn some tact. He is fueling the hype with his comments and when he does get drafted he is going to have a target on his back.

In baseball you MUST respect the game. I don't think this kid has much respect for anything except his stats.

 

[Jaypers]

Is the fact that he can run fast impressive? Yes, it is... but it'd be a lot harder to score from 2nd on a wild pitch when you're playing against the instincts of a MLB-caliber catcher/pitcher combination.

For the record, he did that six times this season.

I mean, come on? The MLB wants to promote STAY IN SCHOOL, yet they want this kid to take the quick way out to get him into the majors ASAP? What happens with the kid tears a tendon and can't play anymore? Back to Jr. college with that huge signing bonus?

Last time I checked, there was no time limit to attend college. Education will always be there for him when he needs it, whereas an opportunity like the one he's been presented with will not.

 

[A_Pharis]

Just so we're clear, I didn't wish failure on him. I was just saying that all of this hype is putting a pretty skewed view on life priorities. That's just my honest opinion.

 

[Brett Keith]

For the people wishing him ill after reading this, are we reading the same thing?

I think I'd rather be arrogent than bitter and classless.

 

[jbone17]

Man that kid is arrogant. All you people that bashed me for blaming the parents can keep bashing. NO ONE is that arrogant w/o mommy and daddy telling him he is the greatest. I'm not saying he needs to be cliche but come on.

I hope he falls on his face and never makes the bigs.

It's one thing to think about making the majors at 18, making the hall of fame, and being the greatest ever. To tell SI you expect those things is something a cocky, immature, 16 year old does. People that think they are God's gift to anything annoy the hell out of me and this guy definitely thinks his shat don't stink.

Would you have preferred him predicting he'd become an average player with average stats and an average career?

HE'S 16 YEARS OLD!

Nearly all kids his age talk that way, and with all the intense media scrutiny he's under, it's virtually impossible for none of it to go to his head.

If we're talking maturity, let's re-read the bolded statement you just wrote.

I'm immature because I hope he fails? I hope the Cubs fail too. Does that make me immature?

I don't like people that think they are better than everyone else. Every couple years we see another "greatest prospect ever". This kid is no different. Sure he is uber-talented but so were dozens of other guys that ended up being mediocre. He needs to learn some tact. He is fueling the hype with his comments and when he does get drafted he is going to have a target on his back.

In baseball you MUST respect the game. I don't think this kid has much respect for anything except his stats.

The only thing that this kid is respecting is the fact that there is money involved.

 

[Jaypers]

Man that kid is arrogant. All you people that bashed me for blaming the parents can keep bashing. NO ONE is that arrogant w/o mommy and daddy telling him he is the greatest. I'm not saying he needs to be cliche but come on.

I hope he falls on his face and never makes the bigs.

It's one thing to think about making the majors at 18, making the hall of fame, and being the greatest ever. To tell SI you expect those things is something a cocky, immature, 16 year old does. People that think they are God's gift to anything annoy the hell out of me and this guy definitely thinks his shat don't stink.

Would you have preferred him predicting he'd become an average player with average stats and an average career?

HE'S 16 YEARS OLD!

Nearly all kids his age talk that way, and with all the intense media scrutiny he's under, it's virtually impossible for none of it to go to his head.

If we're talking maturity, let's re-read the bolded statement you just wrote.

I'm immature because I hope he fails? I hope the Cubs fail too. Does that make me immature?

I don't like people that think they are better than everyone else. Every couple years we see another "greatest prospect ever". This kid is no different. Sure he is uber-talented but so were dozens of other guys that ended up being mediocre. He needs to learn some tact. He is fueling the hype with his comments and when he does get drafted he is going to have a target on his back.

In baseball you MUST respect the game. I don't think this kid has much respect for anything except his stats.

Yes, as a matter of fact it does. I think your avatar is funny, but that doesn't mean I wish ill will towards any one team.

Where exactly did Harper say he was better than anyone?

 

[trcardcollector]

Man that kid is arrogant. All you people that bashed me for blaming the parents can keep bashing. NO ONE is that arrogant w/o mommy and daddy telling him he is the greatest. I'm not saying he needs to be cliche but come on.

I hope he falls on his face and never makes the bigs.

It's one thing to think about making the majors at 18, making the hall of fame, and being the greatest ever. To tell SI you expect those things is something a cocky, immature, 16 year old does. People that think they are God's gift to anything annoy the hell out of me and this guy definitely thinks his shat don't stink.

Would you have preferred him predicting he'd become an average player with average stats and an average career?

HE'S 16 YEARS OLD!

Nearly all kids his age talk that way, and with all the intense media scrutiny he's under, it's virtually impossible for none of it to go to his head.

If we're talking maturity, let's re-read the bolded statement you just wrote.

I'm immature because I hope he fails? I hope the Cubs fail too. Does that make me immature?

I don't like people that think they are better than everyone else. Every couple years we see another "greatest prospect ever". This kid is no different. Sure he is uber-talented but so were dozens of other guys that ended up being mediocre. He needs to learn some tact. He is fueling the hype with his comments and when he does get drafted he is going to have a target on his back.

In baseball you MUST respect the game. I don't think this kid has much respect for anything except his stats.

Yes, as a matter of fact it does. I think your avatar is funny, but that doesn't mean I wish ill will towards any one team.

Where exactly did Harper say he was better than anyone?

He never actually said it, it just comes off that he feels that he is better than everybody else. At least that's how I felt when I read the article. It's just the way he carries himself.

 

[A_Pharis]

Is the fact that he can run fast impressive? Yes, it is... but it'd be a lot harder to score from 2nd on a wild pitch when you're playing against the instincts of a MLB-caliber catcher/pitcher combination.

For the record, he did that six times this season.

[quote="A_Pharis":eyn7ta43]I mean, come on? The MLB wants to promote STAY IN SCHOOL, yet they want this kid to take the quick way out to get him into the majors ASAP? What happens with the kid tears a tendon and can't play anymore? Back to Jr. college with that huge signing bonus?

Last time I checked, there was no time limit to attend college. Education will always be there for him when he needs it, whereas an opportunity like the one he's been presented with will not.[/quote:eyn7ta43]

Please, don't try to pick apart my statements. I was stating my opinions. I don't care how many times he did it. HE'S FACING HIGH SCHOOL OPPOSITION - not collegiate. I'm elss than impressed with running quick against people who probably still find it fun to get toasted every weekend in one way or another. The kid has tremendous training, but I guarantee 90% of the people he faces DO NOT.

And, I'm sorry... I know there are plenty of times where people do go on to college later in life. I attended with many older students, but I've yet to see anywhere where this kid has stated any intention on furthering education.

I would think that history points at Harper's ego getting so inflated that, if he DOES fail, that he enters a depression and possibly drug use. And, just so we're even more clear -- I'm not saying that it WILL happen.

I know sometimes people develop such a deep man-crush that they take every opinion as an attack on their very soul, but I promise I don't wish failure on this kid.

 

[Brett Keith]

I smell Steroids and PEDs.............

I hope that I am wrong, but I gotta be honest, no 16 year old kid hits homeruns like that..........just doesnt happen.........and doping is getting to be quite common in High Schools.....just wouldnt surprise me..


TK

I gotta disagree strongly here. I'm pretty sure there are a number of high schoolers his age around the country that can hit a ball that far, or that are strong enough to do so. It's just that they either don't have the skill to do it on a consistant basis in a game, or they don't play baseball, opting for a sport that relies more on physicality, like football.

 

[Jaypers]

I know sometimes people develop such a deep man-crush that they take every opinion as an attack on their very soul, but I promise I don't wish failure on this kid.

Pathetic.

Ok, all offending images are now removed. We good?

 

[aw00d05]

While I wouldn't wish harm onhim, I do think he needs to be put into his place.

There are so many new dynamics that come with the MLB that you don't see in high school ball (e.g.: REAL breaking balls and wooden bats). What this kid needs to realize is that he has "raw" talent - that's not always going to translate into "real" talent or ability.

Is the fact that he can throw a 96 MPH fastball impressive? Yes, it is... but you know what a one-pitch pitcher has in the majors? A 96 MPH home-run ball.

Is the fact that he can run fast impressive? Yes, it is... but it'd be a lot harder to score from 2nd on a wild pitch when you're playing against the instincts of a MLB-caliber catcher/pitcher combination.

Is a 570 ft homer impressive? Yes, it is... but not as much from a metal bat in a dome (no wind) in a HOME RUN DERBY. He wasn't exactly facing Randy Johnson while swinging for the fence.

I have a deep feeling that this kid's attitude is going to keep him from heeding the advice that it's going to take him to mold himself into a "real" talent as opposed to a "raw" talent. Maybe he'll catch onto that before he drops out of high school for his GED to get into Jr. college quicker.

I mean, come on? The MLB wants to promote STAY IN SCHOOL, yet they want this kid to take the quick way out to get him into the majors ASAP? What happens with the kid tears a tendon and can't play anymore? Back to Jr. college with that huge signing bonus?

Way to set goals for our youth.

Cocky little bastard. It's almost a shame he could land any woman he wants... Most of 'em wouldn't know a real man if Harper were the only one standing there.

Alot of people don't know that in all of his leagues/tourney's it's wood bat only and he faces the best HSers in the country (Purke, Matzek, Givens, Miller) and played for the USA 16U team when he was 15 and was there best player by far against guys who will be pros also. They just think he plays against kids who throw 80 and won't ever even see JC in baseball. And I'm sure that Griffey, Hamilton and A-Rod were all the exact same when they were his age just because they were told they are the best ever when they were for their age...

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

I hope for jaypers sake and everyone else on this board invested in him that I am wrong, but we gotta be honest with ourselves and know that most of the players perfoming like this at the level they are at, are probably not doing it on talent alone. Sure there are every now and then that just amazing player that is heads and feet better than everyone else out there, but it is a rare occurance.....and anymore it seems like there are more and more of them popping up.

Of course, it has yet to be determined if prices in the long run are really affected all that much by steroids.....sure the initial price drop when the news comes out, but my guess is, guys like ARod and Manny will rise back up as they come back and put up good numbers.



TK

 

[A_Pharis]

I know sometimes people develop such a deep man-crush that they take every opinion as an attack on their very soul, but I promise I don't wish failure on this kid.

Pathetic.

Ok, all offending images are now removed. We good?

You take things waaayyyy too personally. I in no way insulted you.

 

[NECpilgrims8]

I smell Steroids and PEDs.............

I hope that I am wrong, but I gotta be honest, no 16 year old kid hits homeruns like that..........just doesnt happen.........and doping is getting to be quite common in High Schools.....just wouldnt surprise me..


TK

I gotta disagree strongly here. I'm pretty sure there are a number of high schoolers his age around the country that can hit a ball that far, or that are strong enough to do so. It's just that they either don't have the skill to do it on a consistant basis in a game, or they don't play baseball, opting for a sport that relies more on physicality, like football.

I find it quite funny how every time we see a rare, freak athlete come along, people always want to scream HGH/Steroids. Yes, it is a major issue in sports but it doesn't mean that EVERYONE is on them.

It's just such a cop-out response these days, IMO.

 

[thefasterblade]

In any sporting situation dealing with a player forgoing college to play amongst the best players in the world, I would always advise to take the money and opportunity while it is there. Tons of players have gone back to get their degrees, a small minority are given these types of opportunities.

 

[Brett Keith]

While I wouldn't wish harm onhim, I do think he needs to be put into his place.

There are so many new dynamics that come with the MLB that you don't see in high school ball (e.g.: REAL breaking balls and wooden bats). What this kid needs to realize is that he has "raw" talent - that's not always going to translate into "real" talent or ability.

Is the fact that he can throw a 96 MPH fastball impressive? Yes, it is... but you know what a one-pitch pitcher has in the majors? A 96 MPH home-run ball.

Is the fact that he can run fast impressive? Yes, it is... but it'd be a lot harder to score from 2nd on a wild pitch when you're playing against the instincts of a MLB-caliber catcher/pitcher combination.

Is a 570 ft homer impressive? Yes, it is... but not as much from a metal bat in a dome (no wind) in a HOME RUN DERBY. He wasn't exactly facing Randy Johnson while swinging for the fence.

I have a deep feeling that this kid's attitude is going to keep him from heeding the advice that it's going to take him to mold himself into a "real" talent as opposed to a "raw" talent. Maybe he'll catch onto that before he drops out of high school for his GED to get into Jr. college quicker.

I mean, come on? The MLB wants to promote STAY IN SCHOOL, yet they want this kid to take the quick way out to get him into the majors ASAP? What happens with the kid tears a tendon and can't play anymore? Back to Jr. college with that huge signing bonus?

Way to set goals for our youth.

Cocky little bastard. It's almost a shame he could land any woman he wants... Most of 'em wouldn't know a real man if Harper were the only one standing there.

Alot of people don't know that in all of his leagues/tourney's it's wood bat only and he faces the best HSers in the country (Purke, Matzek, Givens, Miller) and played for the USA 16U team when he was 15 and was there best player by far against guys who will be pros also. They just think he plays against kids who throw 80 and won't ever even see JC in baseball. And I'm sure that Griffey, Hamilton and A-Rod were all the exact same when they were his age just because they were told they are the best ever when they were for their age...

Don't shatter the illusion.

 

[A_Pharis]

Alot of people don't know that in all of his leagues/tourney's it's wood bat only and he faces the best HSers in the country (Purke, Matzek, Givens, Miller) and played for the USA 16U team when he was 15 and was there best player by far against guys who will be pros also. They just think he plays against kids who throw 80 and won't ever even see JC in baseball. And I'm sure that Griffey, Hamilton and A-Rod were all the exact same when they were his age just because they were told they are the best ever when they were for their age...

I'm not saying that the kid isn't good.
I'm not saying the kid hasn't faced DECENT opposition.

But, when this kid gets to the majors, he's not going to be playing ALL players who entered at the same time/skill level that he did. Yes, he may be playing people who will be going into the MLB, but he will also be facing veterans who are honed to skills similar to his (though his came at a younger age).

Do you get what I'm saying?
People, please stop hearing what you WANT to hear from me just so you can have some heated debate. Save it for the people wishing bodily harm on him.

 

[Brett Keith]

Alot of people don't know that in all of his leagues/tourney's it's wood bat only and he faces the best HSers in the country (Purke, Matzek, Givens, Miller) and played for the USA 16U team when he was 15 and was there best player by far against guys who will be pros also. They just think he plays against kids who throw 80 and won't ever even see JC in baseball. And I'm sure that Griffey, Hamilton and A-Rod were all the exact same when they were his age just because they were told they are the best ever when they were for their age...

I'm not saying that the kid isn't good.
I'm not saying the kid hasn't faced DECENT opposition.

But, when this kid gets to the majors, he's not going to be playing ALL players who entered at the same time/skill level that he did. Yes, he may be playing people who will be going into the MLB, but he will also be facing veterans who are honed to skills similar to his (though his came at a younger age).

Do you get what I'm saying?
People, please stop hearing what you WANT to hear from me just so you can have some heated debate. Save it for the people wishing bodily harm on him.

Are you saying he may not be as good as a lot of optimistic people think? If so, you could have just said that, not got all wordy.