Washington Nationals News: Homerun king Barry Bonds discusses Bryce Harper
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on Barry Bonds‘ comments about Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth‘s slow start to the season.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson discusses some interesting comments made by Barry Bonds regarding Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. According to Ladson, Harper was a big fan of Bonds growing up.
Now, at just 23 years old and one big fly away from his 100th career home run, Harper has drawn some comparisons with the all-time home run leader.
As Ladson writes in his article, Harper’s numbers are actually better than Bonds’ were when he was Harper’s age. But Harper still has a long way to go if he wants to be compared to Bonds and challenge his many records.
Here’s what Bonds had to say about Harper, via Ladson’s article:
"“He doesn’t compare to me yet. He has a long way to go [in order to be compared] to me. He is not even close to me,” Bonds said. “But he is one [heck] of a ballplayer. I watch him, I admire and I look at him and I’m in awe. You don’t see it that often. For my eyes to get real big and go, ‘Wow,’ you have to be something special. … It’s longevity that [I have to be] over-wowed about. Short-term don’t do much for me. Longevity is where it’s going to be. When I see these guys — seven, eight, 10, 12 years down the road still doing what they are doing, then you will hear the real ‘wow.’ Right now, I’m impressed.”"
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Jamal Collier discusses how Jayson Werth’s big hit in today’s win over the Marlins could jumpstart his offense, which is off to a slow start this season.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
In opposing dugout, Harper has fan in Bonds
WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper acknowledged Sunday that he idolized Barry Bonds as a kid and called him the greatest hitter on the planet because of the way he could swing the bat. Winning seven National League MVP Awards can be convincing to a youngster like Harper.
“There is nobody better than him in this game,” Harper said about Bonds after collecting two doubles in Sunday’s 4-2 Nationals win over the Marlins. “It’s something I was able to watch when I was younger. I tried to take things from him as far as what he did with is approach. He was the greatest player when I was growing up and watching.” Read full article here.
Big hit could be jumpstart for slow-starting Werth
WASHINGTON — One of the keys to the Nationals’ success this season hinges on the health and production of their veteran position players, who struggled to remain on the field last season and struggled to produce when they were in the lineup. Jayson Werthwas the embodiment of that problem last season, when a number of injuries limited him to just 88 games and a career-low .685 OPS.
Then he scuffled to an 0-for-13 start to begin this season, raising questions about what Werth, one month shy of his 37th birthday, has left to offer the Nationals. Werth broke out of his slump in the seventh inning Sunday, providing a single to drive in the go-ahead run in Washington’s 4-2 victory over Miami. The Nationals are hoping that bloop single can provide a turning point in a bounceback season for Werth. Read full article here.