Washington Nationals News: Bryce Harper Wins National League Hank Aaron Award
By Ricky Keeler
While Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals are not participating in the World Series, Harper received one of many notable honors he will get in the weeks to come at the current site of the World Series. Before Game 4 tonight between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets at Citi Field, Harper was named the Hank Aaron Award winner in the National League. Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays received the award in the American League.
.@Bharper3407, @BringerOfRain20 earn Hank Aaron Award as best overall offensive players in NL, AL. pic.twitter.com/UmyQxlV1iX
— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2015
The Hank Aaron award is given to the best offensive player in each league and is selected via a fan vote and a panel of Hall Of Fame players such as Aaron, Johnny Bench, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, Eddie Murray, and Robin Yount. This is the first time that a Nationals’ player has received this award, which was first awarded in 1999.
More from District on Deck
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
With today being Halloween, Harper had a scary good season in 2015. The 23-year-old right fielder had a slash line of .330/.460/.649 with 42 home runs, 99 RBI’s, 118 runs scored, and 124 walks. While Harper just missed out on the batting title, he did lead the NL in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, and .OPS.
More from Nationals News
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
One notable thing about this honor tonight is that Donaldson is at Citi Field to receive the award while Harper is not. While Harper isn’t there to personally receive the award from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, he did send a thank you video message and he is not the only person who has ever missed this ceremony:
AL winner Josh Donaldson shakes Hank Aaron's hand. Bryce Harper sent a video thanking everyone. "I am deeply honored," he says.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) October 31, 2015
Other recipients of the Hank Aaron award also haven't been present to receive the award, Mike Trout and Paul Goldschmitt among them.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) October 31, 2015
While I’m sure Harper would like to be playing in this game tonight while receiving this great honor, this is only the first of many honors Harper will receive, including maybe the NL MVP.
Next: District Daily: Nats Have Their Manager, What's Next?
On Thursday, Harper was named a Rawlings Gold Glove finalist at the right field position, joining Jason Heyward of the St. Louis Cardinals and Curtis Granderson of the New York Mets. The only other Nationals’ player that is a finalist for a Gold Glove at their respective position is catcher Wilson Ramos. He will go up against Buster Posey of the Giants and Yadier Molina of the Cardinals for that award. The Gold Glove winners will be announced on November 10.