A disappointing season for the Washington Nationals took an ugly turn on Sunday when closer Jonathan Papelbon attacked MVP candidate Bryce Harper in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Papelbon appeared to chide Harper for not running out a ball after he hit a pop fly to left field. Harper peeled off after the ball was caught and returned to the Nationals dugout, and Papelbon began yelling at him while Harper was several feet from the mouth of the dugout.
He moved toward the steps as Harper approached, and Harper appeared to tell Papelbon to quiet down.
It was then that Papelbon grabbed Harper by the neck with both hands as teammates interceded.
Jonathan Papelbon attacking Bryce Harper? Jonathan Papelbon attacking Bryce Harper. pic.twitter.com/T2qof97Ymh
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 27, 2015
“I’m in the wrong there. I’ve got to leave it up to our manager,” Papelbon said after the game. “There’s a lot of competition. It’s a long season, it’s a grind and I think we’re going to handle that in house and stuff like that.
I talked to Bryce and told him how I feel. We’re on the same page now.”
Harper said:
“He apologized so, whatever. I don’t really care. It’s like brothers fighting. Hopefully, we go forward and do what I can for the next six games.
“You’re usually fighting the other team.”
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