Friday, October 28, 2011
Video: Harper's AFL walk-off
And you thought David Freese hit the only walk-off home run in America on Thursday.
Au contraire. Perhaps you've heard of this young lad named Bryce Harper. He's a top prospect in the Nationals' farm system. And yesterday afternoon, he clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Scottsdale Scorpions to an 8-7 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona Fall League action.
That was Harper's second home run in as many days, his second four-RBI game in a row and a continuation of his recent red-hot streak at the plate. After opening the AFL season 3-for-27, he's now got 10 hits in his last 23 at-bats (three of them homers, two of them doubles).
If you click on the above video, you'll see yesterday's walk-off from Harper. The video quality isn't exactly professional-grade, but there's a good reason for that. It was shot by my father. No, really.
My parents live in Scottsdale, about a 20-minute drive from the Scorpions' home ballpark. And my father, having recently retired after 40 years as an elementary school teacher and principal, has found himself with some free time on his hands. So he and my uncle (who you'll hear on the video exclaiming: "He did it!") decided to attend yesterday's game and brought a camera with them.
The rest is history. Enjoy!
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28 comments:
Thanks for the video. So your dad's a scout, just like Rizzo's? Awesome. ;-)
Nice!! Thanks for sharing the story behind the video, too.
The whole clan is in the act. Unfortunately for you and bride, babysitting is three time zones away.
Still reeling from last night: one of the greatest post-season games. What a series, and what a season for MLB.
After watching, I think the video is just fine. Your uncle might need to work on developing a signature home run call, though. :-)
Speaking of calls and families, loved the fact that Buck was able to reprise his dad's game-ending call last night. Agree re. last night's game. To all y'all who haven't been watching this series and missed it: as some fans have been know to remark to the home plate ump on occasion, you're missing a great game. :-)
I'll tell my Dad to look for yours, Mark. He's going today. With only a couple of hundred people in the stands, he's bound to meet him.
I am so envious of our fathers being out there for the AFL. Mine's a bit closer to the ballpark than your Dad. When I was out there, I'd swear half the people in attendance had radar guns. Another quarter were women dressed to catch or keep the attention of young future or recent millionaires. Such an atmosphere.
Those AFL guys need to work on their walk-off celebration. It ain't even close to being ready for The Show.
Any chance we will see some afl action on tv? I know they are focused on the Taiwan stuff, but I seem to remember seeing some afl stuff last season.
RE AFL Games.. The only thing I saw is that MLB Network is showing the rising stars game next week I think.. Along with the Taiwan series.
1A.. agree with you on the Buck Call.. Brought a tear to my eye thinking about that great call his dad made for the Puckett home run!
Can't wait for Tonight.. GO RANGERS!
What a phenomenal game. The first half was ridicuous, the second sublime. Putting aside that I'm rooting for the Cards, it was so great they came out on top of this one, having made so many valiant comebacks.
And yes, the Buck call was great though a bit predictable. His Dad's call was clearly off the cuff, his was not. Sad to say, the near perfection of this series is not enhanced, to put it kindly, by the undynamic duo of Buck/McCarver.
You have to love the sound of the ball off of the bat you get when the stadium is quiet like that.
I thought the video quality was great. I see the pitcher threw a 3-1 fastball and Bryce DIDN'T MISS IT.
The walk-off party at homeplate was lame . Some guys didn't even bother to come out of the dugout. What's up with that?
Nice video Mark!
I see another sports reporting family dynasty here.
Next thing for your dad is to get a post-game interview with Prince Oppo Boppo.
BOOM goes the Dynamite!
Glad to see that David Frese was able to do his best Bryce Harper impression last night, so happy the series is going 7 games. Cards seal the deal tonight!
They all play for different teams, they could care less about our future all-star! At least in the minors, they all play for the same big league team.
I didn't know you spoke French, Mark.
Where are the cacti and tumbleweeds? For that matter, did the Earps and Doc Holliday attend?
I love that younhave a family of Insiders. And I think Buck knew thesignificance of the call, not just for the game but himself. I think that's what was going on.
What a fun game that was. I can't believe we were still watching our guys a month ago, I miss them very very much. And I look forward to watching Zimm do the same thing Freese did in another year or so. How sweet will THAT be?
I dunno, I kind of like his "OH! Ho-HO!" home run call. Reminds me of Jack Brickhouse's "Hey HEY!"
Didn't see any showboating from Bryce or anything like that. Don't you just know that he is gonna burn up spring training also? And Davey ain't Sad Man. I think he'll bring the kid north with him. Would love to see it
Harper needs to push those pants down around his ankles
Anon at 1:16, why? And please don't give me some line about being a show-off or a punk. He's wearing his uniform the way they used to be worn.
Big Cat,
He's not ready and neither was Trout when he came up. I don't understand why it's so important to bring the kid up before he's ready so he has to be sent down again. Ideally you bring the kid up and he stays for good.
I love the high socks; if they don't wear stirrup socks anymore (and no one does), it's the next best thing.
If Harper wears out the AFL the rest of the year, then wears out ST, I have no problem with him starting the season in Nats Town. I just don't think it will happen. He will find his own level, there's no need to argue over where it should be.
GYFNG!
John C.
I don't think AFL is representative and neither is ST. Let him dominate AA for a bit before we put him in the HOF.
Jd.....who says he's not ready....you? Put the kid in the lineup. This ain't the 27 Yanks we're talking about here.....its the punchless Nats
I think we see Bryce Harper in 2012. Just not sure if it is September or earlier.
I have a good feeling that Rizzo constructs the best roster the Nats have had. I still believe on the good teams that it is a role player that becomes the XFactor on this team. Maybe it will be Bryce Harper who is the XFactor that propels this team.
BHarper smashes another HR. This time a 2 run jack. All of Harper's HR and all of his RBIs are generated w/ RISP. Harper is now batting .389 w/ RISP vs. .200 when bases are empty.
Great addition to staff, Mark!
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