Skip to content

Harper tells Little Leaguers that only 1st place matters

Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper is no fan of participation trophies.

The Washington Nationals outfielder is only 24 years old, but he doesn't subscribe to the notion (often associated with millennials) that everyone should get an award just for showing up.

Harper shared his disdain for participation awards with a group of young ballplayers from the Northwest Washington Little League on Saturday, according to the Washington Post's Bryan Flaherty.

"As much as they might tell you, 'Oh, it’s OK you guys lost,' but no, Johnny, no," Harper said. "No participation trophies, OK. First place only."

Harper's comments put him in agreement with Vince Lombardi and Ricky Bobby.

Nationals players including Harper, Max Scherzer, and Anthony Rendon visited Little Leaguers all over the Washington, D.C. area prior to Saturday afternoon's game against the visiting San Diego Padres.

With a 29-18 record and a 7 1/2-game lead over second-place Atlanta, Harper is doing plenty of winning these days, but it's all with the biggest prize in mind: the World Series. Second place won't be enough.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox