History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

Bryce Harper is a professional baseball player currently playing first base and outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. Previously, he played for the Washington Nationals. He is known for his hitting ability and has been a prominent figure in baseball since his debut.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Hitting Season

Since 1900, Harper had a top-5 hitting season for all players under the age of 23.

1964: Teenager Steals Home

In 1964, someone was the first teenager to steal home plate.

1969: Joe Lahoud Home Runs

In 1969, Joe Lahoud hit three home runs in a single game.

October 16, 1992: Bryce Harper Born

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

Others born on this day/year

1998: Adrian Beltré Home Run

In 1998, Adrián Beltré was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues.

2006: Fernando Martínez in AFL

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

May 2009: Sports Illustrated Cover

In May 2009, Bryce Harper was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was compared to LeBron James as his sport's "Chosen One".

October 2009: Earned GED

In October 2009, Bryce Harper earned his GED in his junior year, reclassifying and making him eligible earlier for the MLB draft.

2009: Phillies Pennant

In 2009, Bryce Harper 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: MLB Draft Eligibility

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

August 26, 2010: Signing with the Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper was introduced by the Nationals after agreeing to a five-year contract worth $9.9 million, including a $6.25 million signing bonus. He chose to wear No. 34.

2010: AFL Championship

In 2010, Bryce Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the AFL Championship.

2010: College of Southern Nevada Season

In 2010, Bryce Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, where he played as a catcher. He hit 31 home runs with 98 RBIs, batting .443 and was named the SWAC Player of the Year.

2010: Drafted by the Nationals

In 2010, Bryce Harper was chosen by the Washington Nationals with the first overall selection of the Major League Baseball draft.

2010: Ejection and Suspension

In 2010, Bryce 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.

2010: Golden Spikes Award and MLB Draft

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award and was selected as the first overall pick in the MLB draft by the Washington Nationals.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

In 2010, during the Western district finals of the NJCAA World Series, Bryce Harper had a standout performance, going 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hitting for the cycle. In a doubleheader, he went 2-for-5 with a three-run double and 6-for-6 with four home runs, a triple, and a double.

April 2011: Contact Lenses

In April 2011, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses, after which his performance improved significantly.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Hamstring Injury

In 2011, Bryce Harper was selected to represent the United States in the All-Star Futures Game and was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators. On August 18, he injured his hamstring, ending his season.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut and All-Star Selection

On April 28, 2012, Bryce Harper made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals at 19 years old. In 2012, he was also selected for the All-Star Game, becoming the youngest position player to play in an All-Star Game.

2012: Began 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 Award

In 2012, Bryce Harper won the National League 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: Opening Day Home Runs and All-Star Selection

In 2013, Bryce Harper hit two home runs on Opening Day and was voted a starter for the MLB All-Star Game.

2013: Home Run Derby and Knee Surgery

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round. He also underwent left knee surgery during the off-season. On August 6, he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

April 25, 2014: Thumb Injury

On April 25, 2014, Bryce Harper suffered a left thumb injury while sliding into third base and required surgery.

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: Engagement to Kayla Varner

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

January 2015: Wedding Cancellation

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

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

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

2015: Top Hitting Season

In 2015, Bryce Harper had a top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for players under 23, leading the majors in WAR and tying for the NL home run title. He also became the youngest player with 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season.

2015: MVP and Hank Aaron Award

In 2015, Bryce Harper received the National League Most Valuable Player Award, the Hank Aaron Award, and was named Baseball America's player of the year. ESPN also chose him as its MLB Person of the Year.

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 2015 Body Issue.

2015: NL MVP and Home Run Leader

In 2015, Bryce Harper was named the NL Most Valuable Player and tied for the NL lead in home runs.

April 14, 2016: First Career Grand Slam

On April 14, 2016, Bryce Harper hit his first career grand slam and 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 engaged again.

December 2016: Marriage to Kayla Varner

In December 2016, Bryce Harper married Kayla Varner 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, and he signed a 10-year extension with Under Armour.

2016: Belief in being a walking Book of Mormon

In 2016, Bryce Harper expressed his belief that his Heavenly Father wanted him to be a "walking Book of Mormon", using his platform as a baseball player to touch people's lives while being the best Mormon he could be.

April 3, 2017: Home Run Against the Miami Marlins

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

2018: Signed with the Phillies

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

2018: Support for Vegas Golden Knights

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

2018: Agreement to avoid arbitration

In 2018, on May 13, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract.

2018: Bryce Harper Field Dedication

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: Signing with the 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.

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 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, 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 while Harper was on paternity leave.

September 3, 2019: Batting 100th RBI of the season

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

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

In 2019, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play MLB The Show 19, which featured him as the cover athlete.

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: Second NL MVP Award

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

2021: Second Career National League MVP Award

In 2021, Harper won his second career National League MVP award, leading the major leagues in slugging percentage. He is the second player in MLB history to win a league MVP with two different teams before the age of 30, joining Barry Bonds.

October 23, 2022: Go-Ahead Home Run in NLCS Game 5

On October 23, 2022, during game 5 of the National League Championship Series, Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Padres right-handed reliever Robert Suárez. This game-winning hit sent the Phillies to the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros, and Harper was voted 2022 NLCS MVP.

November 23, 2022: Tommy John Surgery

On November 23, 2022, Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for his ligament tear and was expected to be able to return as the Phillies' everyday designated hitter at around the All-Star break.

2023: Relocation to Knoxville

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

April 2024: Birth of Third Child

In April 2024, Bryce Harper and his wife Kayla welcomed their third child, a daughter.

July 13, 2024: Homer Against Every Team in MLB

On July 13, 2024, Harper achieved 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: Relocation to Knoxville

In 2024, Bryce Harper was already in Knoxville, Tennessee following his relocation during the offseason of 2023.

April 2025: Announcement of Fourth Pregnancy

In April 2025, Bryce Harper announced that he and his wife were expecting their fourth child, revealing that it would be a boy by debuting a blue colored bat given to him by Trea Turner.

May 16, 2025: 1,000th RBI

On May 16, 2025, Harper recorded his 1,000th RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also became the fourteenth player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before turning 33.