It's time to relive every glorious moment of Bryce Harper's MLB debut
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Friday, April 28 marks the fifth anniversary of Bryce Harper's MLB debut. Now, traditionally, the gift for a fifth anniversary is made of wood, and that might be a good thing:
While we're all thinking about all the other things we should get Bryce (hair gel, more blue suits, maybe some ice cream sandwiches), let's take a moment to relive his very first day in the big leagues.
Let's start with a throwback photo:
Hey, don't blame him for the haircut! He was just 19.
His first at-bat came at Dodger Stadium, against Chad Billingsley … and he grounded out. He flew out in his second. But in the top of the seventh, Harper doubled for his first MLB hit:
Since it was his first game, it would have been a shame to let it end without showing off his arm. In the bottom of the seventh, he made an incredible throw to home:
The throw was excellent and the play was close, but the runner still scored, tying the game. Not for long, though. In the top of the ninth, with runners on the corners, a Harper sac fly drove in the go-ahead run:
Let's just say that Nats fans were a little excited:
Even though the Dodgers tied it up in the bottom of the inning, and went on to win, 4-3, in the 10th, it was a still a memorable night for Harper. His performance even got some fans to warm up to the hair:
There was another player who came up to the big leagues to stay on April 28, 2012, as well. You might recognize him:
Though Mike Trout had played 40 games in 2011, he started 2012 in Triple-A. But he came up for good the same Saturday Harper made his debut, and that season, as you may recall, went pretty well for him.