It’s fair to say opinions are split on Sunday’s dugout skirmish between Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper.
C.J. Nitkowski, a former major leaguer who now works as an MLB analyst, wrote Monday on FOXSports.com that “not one” of more than a dozen former and current players he polled about Sunday’s incident fully backed Harper.
Apparently, Nitkowski didn’t poll Mark DeRosa or Cliff Floyd.
DeRosa, also an ex-big leaguer currently working as an analyst, vehemently sided with Harper over Papelbon while discussing the Washington Nationals’ dugout brawl Monday on MLB Network. It should be noted that DeRosa shared a clubhouse with Harper in Washington in 2012.
DeRosa on Papelbon on MLB Central: pic.twitter.com/SbuOmpOAC8
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Those are strong words from DeRosa, an infielder/outfielder who spent parts of 16 seasons in the majors with eight organizations. He wasn’t alone in his on-air criticism of Papelbon, though, as Floyd, who played parts of 17 seasons in The Show, also sided with Harper in the polarizing debate.
Cliff Floyd on Harper/Papelbon: "They took the route of big brother. Big brother this and you have little brothers and all this. Cut that."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Floyd: "At the end of the day, you're not gonna choke me out with the intent that I saw yesterday."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Floyd on Harper/Papelbon: "You cross the line when you touch me. You're not my big brother no more."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Cliff Floyd: "If I'm Bryce Harper, I am waiting at [Papelbon's] front door today cuz this ain't over."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
DeRosa calls Papelbon an animal. Floyd replies: "The animal is not gonna attack me in the dugout without repercussions."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Floyd: "What I heard from Harp's remarks, I don't think it's over."
DeRosa: "No. Not even close. He don't like him."— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Vasgersian: "Can Jonathan Papelbon come back to this team next year?"
DeRosa: "Yes."
Floyd: "I don't think he can."— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Floyd: "If you want your superstar happy, Papelbon is gone at the end of the season… You made this bed for yourself, bruh."
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) September 28, 2015
Both Papelbon and Harper said after Sunday’s game they were ready to turn the page. Papelbon even shouldered blame for the incident and suggested the Nationals could build off it next season.
It wouldn’t be surprising if some bad blood lingered based on each player’s personality, though. And the debate sure isn’t going anywhere as the Nationals play out the string on their disappointing season.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
