WASHINGTON -- It's like déjà vu all over again.
Last September, Bryce Harper was suspended one game by the Washington Nationals for his role in the highly publicized dugout dustup with closer Jonathan Papelbon. While Papelbon received suspensions from both the team and the league, the only ban Harper received was from the Nats. Although the star outfielder sat out his one game on a Monday, the day after the Sunday incident with Papelbon, then-manager Matt Williams had previously indicated that Monday was going to be a day off for Harper anyway.
Seven and a half months later, history is repeating itself. Kind of.
Earlier Saturday afternoon, following Washington's 6-4 victory in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Miami, the Nats announced that Harper had dropped his appeal and would serve a one-game suspension during Saturday's nightcap against the Marlins.
In case you forgot, Harper was ejected Monday, in the ninth inning with the score tied against Detroit, for arguing with plate umpire Brian Knight after teammate Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes. Moments later, after pinch hitter Clint Robinson clubbed a walk-off home run, Harper returned to the field to celebrate, which is a no-no after you've been tossed. Another no-no? Dropping an F-bomb on an umpire, which TV cameras caught Harper doing as the Nationals mobbed Robinson following his winner. As such, on Wednesday, MLB issued Harper a one-game suspension.
The beauty of the appeals process, besides the whole due-process thing, is that appeals can typically be filed and dropped so as to make the timing a little more convenient for the player (and team) involved. Or as is the case, a lot more convenient.
By filing an appeal Wednesday and dropping it Saturday afternoon, here's how Harper and the Nats benefitted:
1. Harper was able to play in Wednesday night's game, which was key for two reasons:
A. Washington was facing a really good pitcher in Tigers righty (and former Nat) Jordan Zimmermann. If you're keeping score at home, Harper went 2-for-3 with a walk in the Nationals' 3-2 win.
B. Wednesday also happened to Bryce Harper MVP Bobblehead night. The first 25,000 fans got a bobbly Bryce, which would have been seriously awkward had the namesake been suspended and not in the lineup.
2. Harper was able to play Friday in the series opener against Miami. The starting pitcher in that game was none other than Tom Koehler, whom Harper owns to the tune of a .321 average with six homers in 28 at-bats. Again, if you're keeping score at home, Harper went 2-for-2 with two walks and a dinger in the Nats' 5-3 victory. Full disclosure, the home run did not come against Koehler, but still.
3. Because he dropped the appeal following Saturday's doubleheader opener, Harper isn't available for the nightcap, a game he might have sat out anyway. Coincidentally (or not), Washington recalled Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Syracuse before the twin bill and didn't send anybody down in return. The Nationals are allowed to do this by virtue of a rule that allows big league teams to call up a 26th player for a doubleheader. In other words, despite the loss of Harper Saturday night, the Nats will have a normal 25-man roster with a normal bench. One more time, if you're keeping score at home, den Dekker happens to be a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Just like Harper. Well, not just like Harper, but you get the point.
4. Last, and most important, by serving his suspension Saturday, that means Harper does not have to serve his suspension next week, when the Nationals square off against the division-rival Mets for three games in New York.
So there you have it. Four (and a half) fringe benefits from one appeal drop. Who says timing isn't everything?
