The Nationals were on ESPN on Sunday night in the biggest stage they've played on in quite some time. When Bryce Harper, the reason a lot of people were likely watching, got hit in the first inning on the first pitch of his first at bat, it certainly looked intentional. Well, we don't have to assume any longer. Here is Cole Hamels admitting that he intentionally hit Harper, from Baseball Nation.
"I'm not going to injure a guy. They're probably not going to like me for it but I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't trying to do it. I think they understood the message and they threw it right back. That's the way, and I respect it. They can say whatever they want."
It's one thing to intentionally hit a guy, that happens all the time. But the thing about the unwritten rules about Baseball is that they are unwritten. They are also not spoken. Hamels might be hearing from the Commisioner on this one, because it really isn't acceptable to admit that you hit a guy on purpose.
With Hamels coming out and saying that he threw at the Nationals phenom, Harper looks even better than he did last night. Harper took the hit in stride and quietly went to first base. He then stole home moments later, because the best revenge really is living well. Maybe the whole thing really is a sign of respect for Harper and the Nationals.
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