Washington Nationals News: Bryce Harper eyes first Gold Glove in 2016
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on Bryce Harper‘s desire to win a Gold Glove Award and the importance of the next three weeks for the Washington Nationals.
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 Bryce Harper’s desire to win a National League Gold Glove Award. As Ladson writes, Harper has already accomplished a lot in his young career, but the top defensive accolade is one of the few prizes that still eludes him.
Harper has shown time and time again that he can be an elite defender. Of course, it helps that he has great speed and a rocket for an arm. While Harper is mostly known for his otherworldly offensive production, he helps the team win with his defense as well, and that could one day translate into a Gold Glove Award.
Here’s what Harper had to say about his defense, via Ladson’s article:
"“If you are not getting hits, you don’t want the other team to get hits either,” Harper said. “I try to make every single play I can, throw out every single guy I can. That’s one of the big ones I want. I want a Gold Glove. Hopefully at the end of the day, I can play well.”"
Also in today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Thomas Boswell discusses the importance of the Nationals’ upcoming road trip and the next month of their schedule.
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As Boswell writes, the Nationals got off to a strong start this season thanks, in part, to the fact that they played mostly mediocre teams. Over the next month, however, the schedule will get much harder for the Nationals; they kick off a brutal 10-game road trip tomorrow that includes games against the Cardinals, Royals and Cubs. The month of May also includes matches against the Tigers and Mets.
The Nationals have played well this season, save for their current three-game losing streak and their sweep at the hands of the Phillies. But, as Boswell writes, the next month or so could tell us who the 2016 Nationals really are — for good or for bad.
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.
Four years in, Harper eyes first Gold Glove
WASHINGTON — Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper made his Major League debut four years ago Thursday against the Dodgers.
Harper recalls that day as a whirlwind. The moment he remembers most is Matt Kemphitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.
“To enjoy it with the family was awesome. I did everything I could to enjoy it and take it in,” Harper said. “After Kemp hit the home run off [Tom] Gorzelanny, Kemp was doing this little shimmy across the plate. That’s the one thing I definitely remember.” Read full article here.
For Nats, nothing like a brutal road trip to find out who you really are
(Thomas Boswell, Washington Post)
As the Washington Nationals prepared to play the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park, pitching coach Mike Maddux had a contented expression, as close to a smile as his poker face allows. Assistant general manager Bob Boone, a big-leaguer for 19 years who provides a professorial ear to any Nats having problems, worked the same locker room with a somber, determined expression.
Next: Washington Nationals Shut Out By Phillies For 2nd Straight Day
Maddux and Boone represent the two antithetical — and equally surprising — aspects of the Nats’ 14-6 season so far. As the team heads out on a 10-game road trip to play the St. Louis Cardinals, the world champion Kansas City Royals and preseason World Series favorite Chicago Cubs, they are a ballclub divided in half. The hitting, which supposedly could, hasn’t; and the pitching, which maybe couldn’t, has. Read full article here.