Bryce Harper Benched Mid-Game For Not Running Out a Groundball

Post - “We made an agreement,” Williams said. “He and I made an agreement. This team made an agreement that when we play the game, that we hustle at all times, that we play the game with intensity and the willingness to win. As it turned out, his spot came up. Kevin Frandsen put on a nice at-bat against [Trevor] Rosenthal. But his spot came up with the ability to win the game. That’s a shame for his teammates.” Harper said he “absolutely” understand Williams’s decision and “I respect what he did. It’s part of the game.”
 

Obviously a hardo move by Matt Williams. But they were drubbed by the Braves, and drubbed two days ago by the Cardinals, I guess he figured he had to set a precedent. Only problem is I don’t think Harper is the guy to set it with. Not one person in that clubhouse will ever say Harper doesn’t give 110%.

But at the same time, you’re told from day one to run out ground balls. Even jog them out. Harps hardly even walked out of the batter’s box there. So I’m ok with the benching. Get it out the way now, hammer out your differences, and move on. The season is young. Matt Williams wanted to show nobody is above the team and nobody is above running out slow dribblers to the mound. So again, I think it’s justified.