History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

Bryce Harper is a professional baseball player currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies as a first baseman and right fielder. He previously played for the Washington Nationals. He is an American MLB player.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: One of the top 5 hitting seasons since 1900

Measured by OPS+, which adjusts on-base plus slugging for park factors and normalizes it against league averages, Harper's 2015 was a top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for all players under the age of 23

1964: First Teenager to Steal Home Plate since 1964

After being hit by a pitch on May 6, Harper stole home plate, becoming the first teenager to steal home plate since 1964. On May 14, Harper hit his first career home run.

1969: Harper youngest to hit 3 home runs in a game since 1969

On May 6, 2015, Harper hit three home runs in a single game for the first time in his career. He became the youngest player to accomplish this feat since Joe Lahoud in 1969.

October 16, 1992: Bryce Harper Born

Bryce Aron Max Harper was born on October 16, 1992. He later became a professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Runs Scored in April

In 2017, Harper set the MLB record for runs scored in the month of April with 32, surpassing Larry Walker's 29 in April 1997.

1998: Youngest player to homer since Adrian Beltre did in 1998

On May 14, Harper was 19 when he hit his first career Major League home run. He was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since Adrián Beltré did in 1998. He was named National League Rookie of the Month for May.

2006: Fernando Martínez in the AFL

In 2006, Mets prospect Fernando Martinez appeared in the Arizona Fall League.

2008: Plays for United States U-18 Baseball Team

In 2008, prior to being drafted by the Nationals, Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team.

May 2009: Sports Illustrated Cover Story

In May 2009, Sports Illustrated featured Harper in a cover story, comparing him to LeBron James.

October 2009: Earned GED

In October 2009, Harper earned his GED in his junior year of high school, reclassifying to become eligible earlier for the MLB draft.

2009: Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship Gold Medal

In 2009, Harper represented the United States at the Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where the team won gold.

2009: Phillies First Pennant since 2009

The next season after his MVP award, he helped lead the Phillies to their first postseason appearance in 11 years, and was instrumental in helping the team win its first pennant since 2009, winning the NLCS MVP in the process.

June 2010: Eligible for MLB Draft

In June 2010, Harper became eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.

August 26, 2010: Introduction by the Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Harper was introduced by the Nationals after agreeing to a five-year contract. He chose to wear No. 34.

2010: Enrolled at College of Southern Nevada

For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada. In 66 games, he hit 31 home runs and was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year.

2010: Golden Spikes Award

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award while attending the College of Southern Nevada. He was also selected as the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals.

2010: AFL Championship

In 2010, Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Championship.

2010: Drafted by the Washington Nationals

In 2010, The Washington Nationals drafted Harper with the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

2010: Phillies Advance to NLCS

In 2022, after defeating the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, the Phillies advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

In the Western district finals of the 2010 NJCAA World Series, Harper went 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hit for the cycle. The next day, he continued his impressive performance with multiple home runs and extra-base hits.

2010: Ejection from National Junior College World Series game

On June 2, 2010, Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game and suspended for two games, ending his amateur career. He also won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award.

April 2011: Received Contact Lenses

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses, significantly improving his hitting performance.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Hamstring Injury

In 2011, Harper was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and promoted to the Harrisburg Senators. On August 18, 2011, he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.

2011: Ryan Howard's RBI Milestone

In 2019, Harper became the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season.

2011: Phillies Reach Playoffs

In 2022, the Phillies surged in the second half to reach the playoffs, marking their first appearance since 2011.

2011: Consecutive Home Runs by Nationals Hitters

On July 27, 2017, Harper was involved in a feat where Nationals hitters hit four consecutive home runs off Milwaukee Brewers starter Michael Blazek, a first in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

On April 27, 2012, the Nationals promoted Bryce Harper to the major leagues.

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut

On April 28, 2012, Bryce Harper made his Major League Baseball debut with the Washington Nationals at 19 years old.

2012: Began season with Syracuse Chiefs

Bryce Harper began the 2012 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League.

2012: NL Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, Harper won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award.

2012: First Postseason Home Run

In Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Harper hit his first postseason home run.

2013: Home Run Derby

In 2013, Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round. On August 6, Harper hit his 17th homer of the season. During the off-season, Harper underwent left knee surgery.

2013: Two Home Runs on Opening Day

On Opening Day of the 2013 season, Harper hit two home runs against the Miami Marlins, becoming the youngest major league player to achieve this feat. He was also selected as an All-Star.

April 25, 2014: Thumb Injury

On April 25, 2014, Harper suffered a left thumb injury during a game against the San Diego Padres.

2014: Withdrew from Japan All-Star Series

After the 2014 season, Harper planned to travel to Japan to participate in the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series, but later withdrew.

2014: Engagement to Kayla Varner

In 2014, Bryce Harper was engaged to his girlfriend, Kayla Varner.

2014: Brawl with Hunter Strickland

In 2017, during a game against the San Francisco Giants, Harper was hit by a pitch from Hunter Strickland, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. The incident stemmed from Harper's two home runs off Strickland in the 2014 National League Division Series. Both players were ejected, and Harper received a four-game suspension, later reduced to three games, for his role in the altercation.

January 2015: Wedding Postponement

In January 2015, Bryce Harper's wedding with Kayla Varner, which was planned for January 2015, did not take place.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run of MLB Career

On April 18, 2015, Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career with a 461-foot drive.

2015: Historic Season

Harper's 2015 season was historic, marked by leading the majors in WAR and tying for the NL home run title. It was the best season of any hitter since Barry Bonds a decade earlier.

2015: Featured in ESPN's The Magazine Body Issue

In 2015, Bryce Harper was featured naked in ESPN's The Magazine 2015 Body Issue.

2015: NL MVP Award

In 2015, Harper was named the NL Most Valuable Player by unanimous decision.

April 14, 2016: First Career Grand Slam

On April 14, 2016, Harper hit his first career grand slam for his 100th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves.

July 2016: Reconciliation and Re-engagement

In July 2016, Kayla Varner announced that she and Bryce Harper had reconciled and were re-engaged.

September 2016: Death of José Fernández

In September 2016, Miami Marlins ace José Fernández died in a boat crash.

December 2016: Marriage at San Diego California Temple

In December 2016, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner were married at the San Diego California Temple.

2016: Appearance on The Tonight Show and Under Armour Extension

In 2016, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play Catch Phrase with Fallon, Andy Samberg and Gigi Hadid. Also in 2016, Harper signed a 10-year extension with Under Armour.

2016: 2016 Season Performance and Suspension

In 2016, Bryce Harper finished with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI in 147 games. He also had 108 walks, leading MLB with 20 intentional walks. In 2016, Harper was ejected from a game and later suspended for one game due to an altercation with an umpire.

2016: Nationals' Season Outcome

In 2016, the Nationals concluded the season with a 95–67 record and clinched the NL East division. However, they were defeated by the Dodgers in the 2016 NLDS.

2016: Views on Mormon Faith

In a 2016 interview, Harper discussed his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his belief that he was meant to be a 'walking Book of Mormon' through his actions on and off the field.

April 3, 2017: Opening Day Home Run

On April 3, 2017, Harper hit a solo home run on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins, marking his fifth career home run in a season opener before the age of 25.

2017: Walk-Off Home Run

In 2017, Harper hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time that season, repeating a feat he had accomplished earlier on April 16.

2017: All-Star Game Performance and Honor

In 2017, Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. As the starting right fielder, he went 1-for-1 with a walk and made a diving catch. He also wore cleats in honor of José Fernández.

2017: First Postseason Series Since 2017

In 2022, Harper played in his first postseason series since 2017, hitting a home run in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. The Phillies advanced to the NLDS, marking Harper's first postseason series win.

2018: Signed with the Phillies

During the 2018-19 offseason, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies.

2018: Golden Knights Stanley Cup Finals Run

In 2018, Bryce Harper put the Vegas Golden Knights' logo on his bat during their run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

2018: Avoided Arbitration

In 2018, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract.

2018: 2018 Season and Free Agency

In 2018, Harper had a .219 batting average with 21 home runs and 50 RBIs when named a starting outfielder for the MLB All-Star Game, where he won the homerun derby. He ended the 2018 season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, a .249 batting average, and 100 RBIs, after which he became a free agent.

2018: Bryce Harper Field Renovation and Naming

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., and named it Bryce Harper Field.

March 2, 2019: Signs with Philadelphia Phillies

On March 2, 2019, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, setting a record for the largest MLB contract at the time. He chose to wear No. 3 and expressed a slip of the tongue wishing to bring a title to D.C., while the Nationals later won the 2019 World Series.

March 30, 2019: First Hit as a Phillie

On March 30, 2019, Harper's first hit as a member of the Phillies was a 465-foot home run off Jesse Biddle of the Atlanta Braves.

August 15, 2019: Walk-Off Grand Slam

On August 15, 2019, Harper hit a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs.

August 22, 2019: Birth of First Child

On August 22, 2019, Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla welcomed their first child, a son, in Las Vegas. Harper was on paternity leave at the time.

September 3, 2019: 100th RBI of the Season

On September 3, 2019, Harper batted his 100th RBI of the season, becoming the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to reach 100 RBIs or more in a season.

2019: Appearance on The Tonight Show and MLB The Show 19

In 2019, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play the video game MLB The Show 19 with Fallon.

March 2020: MLB Season Suspension Due to COVID-19

In March 2020, the MLB season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harper suggested a potential 135-game season from July through November. MLB settled on a 60-game season that began on July 24.

November 2020: Birth of Second Child

In November 2020, Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla welcomed their second child, a daughter.

2021: Second Career National League MVP Award

In 2021, Harper batted .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs in 141 games, leading the major leagues in slugging percentage and the National League with 78 extra-base hits and 42 doubles. He won his second career National League MVP award.

2021: Second NL MVP Award

In 2021, Harper won his second NL MVP award with the Phillies.

August 12, 2022: World Baseball Classic Announcement

On August 12, 2022, Harper announced his intention to join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, alongside Phillies teammates J. T. Realmuto and Trea Turner.

October 23, 2022: NLCS Game 5 Game-Winning Home Run and MVP

On October 23, 2022, Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning during Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, sending the Phillies to the 2022 World Series. He was voted 2022 NLCS MVP.

November 23, 2022: Tommy John Surgery

On November 23, 2022, Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for a ligament tear. While expected to return as a designated hitter around the All-Star break, he rejoined the team earlier than anticipated in May. In July, Harper made his first career start as a first baseman.

2022: Regular Season Stats

During the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514 in 370 at bats, with 63 runs, 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, 7 sacrifice flies, and 9 intentional walks. He primarily played as a designated hitter.

2023: Relocation to Knoxville

During the 2023/2024 offseason, Harper relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee.

2023: Unable to Play in World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Harper was unable to play in the World Baseball Classic due to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

2023: Olympics Return

In 2023, it was announced that baseball would return as a competition sport in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

April 2024: Birth of Third Child

In April 2024, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner welcomed their third child, a daughter named Kamryn.

July 13, 2024: Homers Against All MLB Teams

On July 13, 2024, Harper achieved the milestone of homering against every team in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics.

2024: Relocation to Knoxville

During the 2023/2024 offseason, Harper relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee.

2028: Potential Participation in 2028 Summer Olympics

In 2023, Harper expressed his hope that MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after baseball was reinstated as a competition sport.