Bryce Harper suspended four games for fight

May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) and Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) in a fight after Harper was hit by the pitch of Strickland during the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryce Harper received a four-game suspension for fighting Hunter Strickland, but the San Francisco Giants reliever got an even greater punishment.

Bryce Harper, who has been a staunch advocate for making baseball fun again, provided MLB fans its most entertaining Memorial Day moment. After Hunter Strickland threw at him intentionally, Harper charged at and threw his helmet at him before landing some shots to the face.

Even though Harper is arguably baseball’s biggest star, it was obvious that he wouldn’t get away without punishment. Less than 24 hours after that incident occurred, MLB officials reviewed it and handed out suspensions to both Harper and Strickland:

Strickland got six games, Harper four
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 30, 2017

According to MLB Communications, both players are appealing their suspensions meaning that it won’t take effect until their hearings are over — Harper is in the lineup tonight. Strickland received more games because he instigated the fight.

The suspensions may seem light considering that a full-on brawl was started. Strickland’s punishment isn’t as harsh as it seems, since relief pitchers tend to play two innings — at most — compared to the full nine that a guy like Harper would play. That said, he’s an important part of their bullpen and his presence could be sorely missed if they’re holding onto a lead in any of those six games.

The whole incident was unnecessary, since it came at a time when the game was out of reach. There was no reason for either player to do what they did, and it only serves them right that they’ll have to sit out.

Next: 14 Biggest MLB Brawls Ever

Harper’s been known to have a short temper — he threw his helmet at an ump last year over a strike call. If Strickland did that to incite him, he probably didn’t anticipate the encounter would turn physical. Or maybe he did, which is why he was able to land some clean shots himself.

Given that the Giants are also nine games below .500, perhaps Strickland wanted to give his team something to rally around. But getting served a six-game suspension is a pretty counter-intuitive way to go about it.

Home/MLB