Clubhouse Cancer Jonathan Papelbon Chokes Bryce Harper in Nationals Dugout
Whoa.
An already disappointing season for the Washington Nationals reached a troubling new low on Sunday afternoon. Once again the drama involves a member of their struggling bullpen, which has only gotten worse since acquiring the overpriced clubhouse cancer known as Jonathan Papelbon from the Philadelphia Phillies in July.
The latest incident occurred in the eighth inning of a 12-5 loss to the Phillies, when Bryce Harper returned to the dugout after he flied out. Papelbon, apparently angered over what he perceived as a lack of hustle, immediately began jawing at his teammate. Heated words quickly turned to a physical altercation.
Papelbon yells "Run that out" at Harper before fight. What? Day after elimination many everyday players just take day off. Harper played.
— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) September 27, 2015
Harper did make it to 1st base. But Papelbon bad mouths him all the way back to dugout, keeps on. Harper fed up: "Lets $#%% go." They do.
— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) September 27, 2015
In a move that would’ve been stunning if it had been anyone else in the league, Papelbon put his hands around Harper’s throat and then pushed him back towards the bench with both arms. The scuffle only ended when teammates stepped in to pull the two apart.
And then in a move that would’ve been stunning if it had been any other team in the league, Nationals manager Matt Williams sent Papelbon onto the field to close against his former team. He gave up a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth and a go-ahead homer in the ninth. Papelbon “then loaded the bases, hitting Odubel Herrera with his final pitch, before being removed … leaving the mound to a chorus of boos.â€
Reporter:Why did you send Papelbon out again?
Matt:He's our closer
Reporter:He put his hands on Harpers neck
Matt:He's our closer
Yikes.— Brian Naylor (@brinaylor) September 27, 2015
Jonathan Papelbon & Bryce Harper Fight in Nationals Dugout pic.twitter.com/PO9kvSYmev
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) September 27, 2015
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