History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

Bryce Harper is a professional baseball outfielder and first baseman currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. Prior to joining the Phillies, he played for the Washington Nationals. He is a prominent figure in Major League Baseball.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Top-5 hitting season

Harper's 2015 season was a top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for all players under the age of 23

1964: Teenager Stealing Home Plate

In a game on May 6, Harper stole home plate, becoming the first teenager to steal home plate since 1964.

1969: Joe Lahoud's achievement

On May 6, 2015, Bryce Harper became the youngest player since Joe Lahoud in 1969 to hit three home runs in a single game

1984: Dwight Gooden in All-Star Game

In 1984, Dwight Gooden played in the All-Star Game at 19 years, 237 days old.

October 16, 1992: Bryce Harper's Birth

On October 16, 1992, Bryce Aron Max Harper was born. He is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Larry Walker's Record

In 1997, Larry Walker scored 29 runs in April.

1998: Adrian Beltré Homers

On May 14, Harper hit his first career Major League home run, and was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since Adrián Beltré did in 1998.

2006: Fernando Martinez in AFL

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

2008: Plays for United States U-18 Baseball Team

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

May 2009: Sports Illustrated Cover Story

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

October 2009: Earned GED

In October 2009, Bryce Harper earned his GED in his junior year of high school.

2009: Wins Gold at Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship

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

2009: Phillies win pennant

In 2009, the Phillies won its first pennant.

June 2010: Eligible for MLB Draft

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

August 26, 2010: Introduction by Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper was introduced by the Washington Nationals, revealing he chose No. 34 because "I always loved Mickey Mantle, three and four equals seven."

2010: Phillies Advance to NLCS

After the 2022 NLDS, the Phillies advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.

2010: Enrolled at College of Southern Nevada

For the 2010 college season, Bryce Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, where he was a catcher.

2010: Golden Spikes Award

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award while attending the College of Southern Nevada.

2010: Drafted by Washington Nationals

In 2010, The Washington Nationals selected Bryce Harper with the first overall pick of the Major League Baseball draft.

2010: NJCAA World Series

In the Western district finals of the 2010 NJCAA World Series, Harper went 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hit for the cycle.

2010: Ejection from Game

On June 2, 2010, Bryce Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game and suspended for two games.

2010: AFL Championship

On November 20, 2010, Bryce Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Championship.

April 2011: Received contact lenses

In April 2011, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses to correct his vision.

2011: All-Star Futures Game Selection

In 2011, Bryce Harper was selected to represent the United States in the All-Star Futures Game.

2011: Ryan Howard's 100+ RBIs

In 2011, Ryan Howard was the last Philadelphia Phillies player to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season.

2011: Phillies playoff appearance

In 2011, was the Phillies' last playoff appearance before 2022.

2011: Consecutive Home Runs by Nationals

On July 27, Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters, a feat accomplished in Major League Baseball for the first time since the 2011 season.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

On April 27, 2012, The Nationals promoted Bryce Harper to the major leagues after Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the disabled list.

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: Season with Syracuse Chiefs

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

2012: Rookie of the Year

In 2012, Bryce Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

2012: Postseason Home Run

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

2013: Home Run Derby

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, advancing to the final round and becoming the second-youngest player to participate in the Home Run Derby, and the youngest to ever make it to the final round. He also passed Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

2013: 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 achieve this.

April 25, 2014: Thumb Injury

During a game on April 25, 2014, Bryce Harper suffered a left thumb injury when he slid into third base. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day.

2014: Withdrawal from Japan All-Star Series

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

2014: Engaged to Kayla Varner

In 2014, Bryce Harper and his girlfriend Kayla Varner got engaged.

2014: Home Runs off Strickland

In the 2014 National League Division Series, Harper hit two home runs off of Hunter Strickland, which Harper believed led to Strickland seeking revenge in a later game.

January 2015: Wedding Postponed

In January 2015, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner's wedding, which had been planned, did not take place.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run of Career

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

2015: Award-Winning Season

Bryce Harper received all 30 first place votes for the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player and won the Hank Aaron Award.

2015: Named NL Most Valuable Player

Bryce Harper was named the National League Most Valuable Player for 2015.

2015: Featured in ESPN's The Magazine Body Issue

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

April 14, 2016: 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.

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: José Fernández's Death

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

December 2016: Marriage to Kayla Varner

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

2016: Appears on The Tonight Show and Signs with Under Armour

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

2016: Harper's Season Statistics

In 2016, Harper finished with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI in 147 games. He also had 108 walks, with 20 being intentional, leading MLB.

2016: Nationals' Season Outcome

In 2016, the Nationals finished the season with a 95–67 record, securing the NL East division title but ultimately losing to the Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS).

2016: Harper Discusses Faith and Role Model Status

In a 2016 interview, Bryce Harper talked about his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his desire to be a role model both on and off the field.

April 3, 2017: Harper's Opening Day Performance

On April 3, 2017, Harper hit a solo home run, struck out, and walked against the Miami Marlins. This marked his fifth career home run in a season opener, making him the player with the most home runs before the age of 25.

2017: All-Star Game Appearance

In 2017, 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 made a diving catch. He also wore cleats to honor José Fernández.

2017: Walk-off Home Run

In the 2017 season, Harper hit a walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time, after hitting one earlier on April 16.

2017: Harper's Postseason Series

The 2017 season was Harper's last postseason series until 2022.

2018: Signed with the Phillies

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

2018: Supports Vegas Golden Knights

In 2018, Bryce Harper showed his support for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL by dropping the puck before a game and putting their logo on his bat during their Stanley Cup Finals run.

2018: Arbitration Agreement

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

2018: Harper's 2018 Season

In 2018, Harper was named a starting outfielder for the MLB All-Star Game and won the homerun derby. He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, a .249 batting average, and 100 RBIs. He became a free agent after the season.

2018: Bryce Harper Field Dedicated

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: Harper Signs with Phillies

On March 2, 2019, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, setting the record for the largest MLB contract at the time. He chose to wear No. 3 with the club.

March 30, 2019: Harper's 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's first child, a son, was born in Las Vegas.

September 3, 2019: Harper Reaches 100 RBIs

On September 3, 2019, Harper recorded his 100th RBI of the season, marking the second consecutive year he reached this milestone and becoming the first Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to achieve 100 or more RBIs in a season.

2019: Appears on The Tonight Show and Cover Athlete for 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, which featured him as the cover athlete.

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March 2020: MLB Season Suspension

In March 2020, the MLB season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 2020: Birth of Second Child

In November 2020, Bryce Harper's second child, a daughter, was born.

2021: Won Second NL MVP Award

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

August 12, 2022: Harper to Join US National Baseball Team

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

October 8, 2022: Home Run in NL Wild Card Series

On October 8, 2022, Harper hit a home run in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against St. Louis, contributing to an eventual 2–0 victory.

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

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

November 23, 2022: Tommy John Surgery

On November 23, 2022, Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for a ligament tear.

2022: Harper's 2022 Regular Season

In the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs, playing primarily as a designated hitter (90 games) and also in right field (8 games). He had the ninth-highest salary in baseball at $27.5 million.

2023: Relocates to Knoxville, Tennessee

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

2023: Unable to Play in World Baseball Classic

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

2023: Baseball returns as a competition sport in the Olympics

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 and Kayla Harper welcomed their third child, a daughter.

July 13, 2024: Harper homers against all MLB teams

On July 13, 2024, Harper reached the milestone of homering against every team in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo home run on a pitch by Austin Adams of the Oakland Athletics.

2024: Relocates to Knoxville, Tennessee

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

April 2025: Announcement of Fourth Pregnancy

In April 2025, Harper announced that they are expecting their fourth child by debuting a blue colored bat, handed to him by Trea Turner, revealing that baby is a boy.

May 16, 2025: Harper Records 1,000th RBI

On May 16, 2025, Bryce Harper achieved his 1,000th RBI in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which the Phillies won 8-4. He also became the 14th MLB player to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before the age of 33.

October 2, 2025: Birth of Fourth Child

On October 2, 2025, Bryce Harper and his wife welcomed their fourth child, a son.

February 1, 2026: Retrieved Information

Information on the 2022 National League Wild Card Series (NLWC) Game 2, Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals was retrieved on February 1, 2026.

2028: Hope to participate 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.