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Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper’s suspension harsh

By Ron Juckett

May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) and first baseman Michael Morse (38) join the mound as relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) fights Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) and first baseman Michael Morse (38) join the mound as relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) fights Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Harper’s suspension of four games leaves him and the Washington Nationals in a spot. Yes, it is unfair. But, the fix is not easy.

Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper expected a suspension after tangling with San Francisco Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland.

Unless you were gone the last few days, you know Strickland threw at Harper’s rear end on Memorial Day over two homers hit during the 2014 National League Divisional Series. Harper carried his helmet and chucked it before exchanging blows with Strickland.

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For carrying the helmet and throwing, Harper drew a four-game suspension. Strickland earned a six. Both are appealing.

Is it fair? Not really.

The chatter on social media is the length of Harper’s punishment is too long compared to Strickland. As an everyday player, Harper will miss 36 innings while Strickland may miss two or three appearances and roughly six frames.

No, it is not fair. But, Major League Baseball will not change how they hand out suspensions because of position difference. Starters, when given unpaid vacations, will miss a start with a five-game suspension. Strickland will miss multiple games where he would pitch.

However, Strickland would not have been suspended at all if Harper does not charge the mound. That is not fair either. Most observers have a hard time swallowing Strickland’s 98 mph fastball aimed at Harper’s rump was an accident. Yet, without the fight, nothing happens from MLB.

By landing a punch, MLB had no choice but to suspend Harper. With the helmet, they felt that alone deserved two games. Goodness knows what the number would be if Strickland felt the helmet. A serious escalation, ten games minimum.

Still, four is harsh. Others suggested Harper should have followed Manny Machado’s example after the Baltimore Orioles slugger tangled with the Boston Red Sox. After being hit by a pitch, Machado chose not to charge the mound.

Machado, Harper or any hitter who knows a pitcher is trying to injure them may fight back. Because Machado choose to not escalate, it does not take away Harper’s right to defend himself. Most fights fizzle. Ejections happen and MLB sorts it out.

Here, punches landed. MLB had to suspend Harper. Just because he was right does not mean he is innocent. Four though is too much. It should be two.

Those of you upset that the hitter is unfairly punished are right. Imagine if the Nats were struggling to win the division. Missing Harper for a series and more could change the fate of the team. All that so Strickland could settle a long-time grudge.

Suggestions that Strickland should miss an equal number of innings are silly. A 36-inning suspension for a reliever would be half a year at a minimum. As dumb as it was, nothing merited 80 games.

There is no easy fix. A game or two dropped on appeal would help, but that is a judgment call.

Next: Nats after Hand

A tough situation that should never have happened.

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