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.
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.
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
