Bryce Aron Max Harper is an American professional baseball player known for his roles as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to joining the Phillies, Harper played for the Washington Nationals from 2012 to 2018.
October 16, 1992: Birth of Bryce Harper
Bryce Aron Max Harper was born on October 16, 1992. He would grow up to become a professional baseball player known for his roles as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.
2008: Harper Plays for U-18 Team
In 2008, Bryce Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team before being drafted by the Nationals. This marked his early involvement in international baseball competitions.
May 2009: Sports Illustrated Cover Story
In May 2009, Sports Illustrated featured Bryce Harper on its cover, comparing him to LeBron James and calling him his sport's 'Chosen One'.
October 2009: Earned GED
In October 2009, Bryce Harper earned his GED during his junior year, reclassifying himself to be eligible for the MLB draft earlier.
2009: Phillies' First Pennant Since 2009
Bryce Harper helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to their first pennant since 2009, also winning the NLCS MVP in the process.
2009: Harper Wins Gold at Pan American U-18 Championship
In 2009, Bryce Harper represented the United States at the Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The team won gold, marking a significant achievement in Harper's early career.
June 2010: Eligible for MLB Draft
In June 2010, Bryce Harper became eligible for the Major League Baseball draft.
August 26, 2010: Introduced by Washington Nationals
On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper was officially introduced by the Washington Nationals, stating he chose to wear No. 34 because he admired Mickey Mantle.
2010: AFL Championship
Bryce Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the 2010 Arizona Fall League Championship.
2010: First Overall Pick in MLB Draft
Bryce Harper was selected as the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals.
2010: Golden Spikes Award
Bryce Harper won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the best amateur baseball player in the nation.
2010: Performance in NJCAA World Series
In 2010, Bryce Harper had an outstanding performance in the NJCAA World Series, going 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hitting for the cycle in the Western district finals.
2010: College Season at Southern Nevada
In 2010, Bryce Harper played for the College of Southern Nevada, setting a school record with 31 home runs and winning the SWAC Player of the Year award.
2010: Drafted by Washington Nationals
In 2010, Bryce Harper was drafted by the Washington Nationals as the first overall pick. Although he played primarily as a catcher, he was drafted as an outfielder to prolong his career and accelerate his development.
April 2011: Contact Lenses
In April 2011, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses, significantly improving his performance. He hit .480 with seven home runs, 10 doubles, and 23 RBIs in his first 20 games after the adjustment.
August 18, 2011: Hamstring Injury
On August 18, 2011, Bryce Harper injured his hamstring while running bases, ending his season early. He was placed on the seven-day disabled list.
2011: Promotion to Harrisburg Senators
In 2011, Bryce Harper was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators of the Class AA Eastern League and went 2-for-3 in his debut.
April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues
On April 27, 2012, Bryce Harper was promoted to the major leagues after Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the disabled list. He made his MLB debut the following day.
April 28, 2012: MLB Debut with the Nationals
On April 28, 2012, Bryce Harper made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals at the age of 19.
2012: Season with Syracuse Chiefs
Bryce Harper began the 2012 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League.
2012: Played for Washington Nationals
In 2012, Bryce Harper began his career with the Washington Nationals, where he played until 2018.
2012: Bryce Harper hits first postseason home run
In Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bryce Harper hit his first postseason home run. Despite Harper's efforts, the Nationals lost the game 7-9 after leading by 6 runs. Harper finished his first postseason with a .130 batting average.
2013: Bryce Harper participates in Home Run Derby and sets records
After hitting 13 home runs in just 58 games, Bryce Harper was selected to participate in the 2013 Home Run Derby. He advanced to the final round but lost 9-8 to Yoenis Céspedes. Harper became the second-youngest player to participate in the Derby and the youngest to make it to the final round. On August 6, he hit his 17th homer of the season, surpassing Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21. In 118 games, he hit .274/.368/.486 with 20 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 47 extra base hits. During the offseason, Harper underwent left knee surgery to remove a bursa sac.
2013: Bryce Harper hits two home runs on Opening Day
On Opening Day of the 2013 season, Bryce Harper hit two home runs against the Miami Marlins, becoming the youngest major league player to hit two home runs in his team's first game of the season at age 20. He was also voted a starter for the MLB All-Star Game, his second career All-Star selection.
April 25, 2014: Bryce Harper suffers thumb injury
During a game against the San Diego Padres on April 25, 2014, Bryce Harper suffered a left thumb injury when he slid into third base on a 3-run triple. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day. An MRI revealed that the thumb had a torn ulnar collateral ligament, and Harper required surgery to repair the ligament tear.
2014: Harper and Varner Get Engaged
In 2014, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner got engaged, marking the beginning of their journey towards marriage.
2014: Harper and Strickland Brawl
In 2014, Bryce Harper hit two home runs off Hunter Strickland during the National League Division Series. This led to tension that culminated in a bench-clearing brawl on May 29, 2017, when Strickland hit Harper with a pitch. Both players were ejected, and Harper was later suspended for three games after an appeal.
January 2015: Harper and Varner's Wedding Postponed
In January 2015, Bryce Harper and his girlfriend Kayla Varner's wedding did not take place as planned. This marked a notable event in their relationship timeline.
April 18, 2015: Bryce Harper hits longest home run of his career
On April 18, 2015, Bryce Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career with a 461-foot drive over the center field wall against the Philadelphia Phillies.
2015: Harper Featured in ESPN's Body Issue
In 2015, Bryce Harper was featured naked in ESPN's The Magazine Body Issue, showcasing his athletic physique and gaining widespread attention.
2015: Bryce Harper achieves top-5 hitting season by adjusted OPS
Measured by adjusted OPS (OPS+), Bryce Harper's 2015 season was a top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for all players under the age of 23 and the best season of any hitter since Barry Bonds a decade earlier. Harper also led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title with 42, becoming the youngest player ever with at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season.
2015: Bryce Harper wins multiple awards
Baseball America named Bryce Harper the 2015 player of the year. On October 31, Harper was named the National League winner of the 2015 Hank Aaron Award. On November 19, Harper was selected as the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player by unanimous decision, becoming the youngest player to unanimously win the award and the first player in Nationals/Expos history to win an MVP award. ESPN chose him as their 2015 MLB Person of the Year.
2015: National League MVP
In 2015, Bryce Harper was named the National League Most Valuable Player by unanimous decision, making him the youngest MLB player to win the award at age 22.
April 14, 2016: Bryce Harper hits first career grand slam
On April 14, 2016, Bryce Harper hit his first career grand slam for his 100th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves. Three days later, he hit a home run for a fourth straight game, setting a new career streak for most consecutive games with a home run. He was named National League Player of the Week on April 18 after driving in 12 runs, tying a club record for home runs in consecutive games and becoming the eighth-youngest player in major league history to reach 100 home runs.
July 2016: Harper and Varner Reconcile and Re-engage
In July 2016, Kayla Varner announced her reconciliation and re-engagement with Bryce Harper. This renewed their commitment to each other after a previous postponement of their wedding.
December 2016: Harper Marries Kayla Varner
In December 2016, Bryce Harper married Kayla Varner at the San Diego California Temple, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.
2016: Bryce Harper sets records for walks in a game and series
On May 8, Bryce Harper was walked six times in a game against the Chicago Cubs, tying the MLB record for most walks in a game. Harper also reached base seven times (besides the six walks he was also hit by a pitch), becoming the first player in over 100 years to reach base seven times without recording an at-bat. In total, Harper was walked 13 times in the four-game series, setting a new MLB record for most walks in a series. On May 9, Harper was ejected from the dugout for yelling at home plate umpire Brian Knight when teammate Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes. Harper returned to the field to celebrate the win with his teammates and was caught shouting profanity towards Knight. Two days later, Harper was given a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine, but he appealed the same day. On May 14, Harper dropped his appeal and began serving the one-game suspension.
2016: Nationals clinch NL East division but lose in NLDS
The Washington Nationals finished the 2016 season with a 95-67 record, clinching the NL East division. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 NLDS.
2016: Harper Discusses His Faith
In a 2016 interview, Bryce Harper discussed his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared that he believed his role was to be a 'walking Book of Mormon,' using his platform to positively influence others.
2016: Harper Signs Endorsement Deal with Under Armour
In 2016, Bryce Harper signed a 10-year extension with Under Armour, making it the largest endorsement deal in history for a baseball player at that time.
2016: Harper Appears on The Tonight Show
In 2016, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play Catch Phrase with Fallon, Andy Samberg, and Gigi Hadid. This marked one of his notable television appearances.
April 3, 2017: Bryce Harper sets MLB record for runs scored in April
On Opening Day, April 3, 2017, Bryce Harper hit a solo home run, struck out, and walked against the Miami Marlins. His home run was the fifth of his career in a season opener, the most by a player younger than 25. He set the MLB record for runs scored in the month of April with 32, surpassing Larry Walker's 29 in 1997.
2017: Top Vote-Getter for All-Star Game
In 2017, Bryce Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the MLB All-Star Game. He went 1-for-1 with a walk and a diving catch. Harper wore cleats in honor of the late José Fernández, who was a division rival.
2018: Bryce Harper Field Inaugurated
In 2018, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation renovated a baseball field in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C., naming it Bryce Harper Field in his honor.
2018: Harper Supports Vegas Golden Knights
In 2018, Bryce Harper supported the Vegas Golden Knights during their inaugural NHL season. He dropped the puck before a game and put the team's logo on his bat during their run to the Stanley Cup Finals. After his son's birth, the team gifted him a personalized jersey.
2018: 2018 Season Highlights
In 2018, Bryce Harper was named a starting outfielder for the MLB All-Star Game and won the home run derby. He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, a .249 batting average, and 100 RBIs, marking his first season reaching triple-digit RBIs. Harper became a free agent after the season.
2018: End of Tenure with Washington Nationals
Bryce Harper's tenure with the Washington Nationals ended in 2018.
March 2, 2019: Harper Signs with Phillies
On March 2, 2019, Bryce Harper signed a record-setting 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. This deal was the largest MLB contract at the time. Harper chose to wear No. 3 with the Phillies, as his previous number was being considered for retirement in honor of Roy Halladay.
March 30, 2019: First Hit with Phillies
On March 30, 2019, Bryce Harper's first hit as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies was a 465-foot home run to the second deck of the right field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park, off Jesse Biddle of the Atlanta Braves.
August 15, 2019: Walk-Off Grand Slam
On August 15, 2019, Bryce Harper hit a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs, contributing significantly to the Phillies' victory.
August 22, 2019: Birth of Harper's First Child
On August 22, 2019, Bryce Harper's first child, a son, was born in Las Vegas while Harper was on paternity leave. This marked a significant personal milestone for Harper and his family.
September 3, 2019: 100th RBI of the Season
On September 3, 2019, Bryce Harper reached his 100th RBI of the season for the second consecutive year, becoming the first Phillies player since 2011 to achieve this milestone.
2019: Harper Appears on The Tonight Show Again
In 2019, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for the second time, playing the video game MLB The Show 19 with Fallon. Harper was the cover athlete for the game.
March 2020: COVID-19 Season Suspension
In March 2020, the MLB season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bryce Harper suggested a potential 135-game season on Instagram, but MLB eventually settled on a 60-game season that began on July 24.
November 2020: Birth of Harper's Second Child
In November 2020, Bryce Harper's second child, a daughter, was born. This added to the Harper family's growing list of joyous milestones.
2021: Second NL MVP Award
Bryce Harper won his second National League MVP award in 2021 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
2021: Second NL MVP Award
In 2021, Bryce Harper batted .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs in 141 games. He led the MLB in slugging percentage and extra-base hits, winning his second career National League MVP award. Harper joined Barry Bonds as the second player to win MVP with two different teams before age 30.
August 12, 2022: Harper Announces Participation in 2023 WBC
On August 12, 2022, Bryce Harper announced he would join the United States national baseball team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, alongside fellow Phillies J. T. Realmuto and Trea Turner. However, due to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, he was unable to play.
October 23, 2022: NLCS MVP and World Series Berth
On October 23, 2022, Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning during Game 5 of the NLCS, securing the Phillies' spot in the 2022 World Series. Harper was voted the 2022 NLCS MVP for his performance.
November 23, 2022: Harper Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
On November 23, 2022, Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for his ligament tear. He was expected to return as the Phillies' everyday designated hitter around the All-Star break. Harper, however, rejoined the team earlier than expected, in early May, wearing a large arm brace.
2023: Harper Hopes for MLB Participation in 2028 Olympics
In 2023, Bryce Harper expressed hope that MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He shared his dream of representing the USA at the highest level, despite acknowledging he might be considered too old by then.
March 2024: Harper Announces Expecting Third Child
In March 2024, Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla announced via Instagram that they are expecting their third child. This news marks an upcoming addition to their family.