It turns out Yasiel Puig isn’t the only young up-and-comer getting benched for indifference towards the game.
Bryce Harper was pulled from Saturday’s game vs the Cardinals after six innings. Nope, it wasn’t injury which led to him being removed, turns out Bryce didn’t quite turn on the jets enough for Matt Williams’ liking:
Bryce Harper benched for lack of hustle. #Nats
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) April 19, 2014
Williams referred to Harper not hustling as 'the inability to run 90 feet.' He was not happy. #Nats
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) April 19, 2014
This is just another one of those annoying old school baseball philosophies put to work. A guy who’s the face of the franchise, who’s also been besieged by leg injuries not willing to bust out a run to first off a grounder–doesn’t seem farfetched.
Harper took the benching in stride, as he should, stating he respected Williams’ decision. The whole premise is heartwarming enough, the team took a vow to hustle at all times–but hey, it should be expected that each player give their all. Where does the line get drawn between legit punishment to instill respect for the game and where does that line reach ‘petty’ territory?
Was this just fake discipline by Williams to show that he’s not afraid to punish his star player for relatively minor offenses?