History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

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

Sections (4)

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

1964: Teenager Stole Home Plate

In 1964, Bryce Harper became the first teenager to steal home plate since that year.

1969: Youngest Player with Three Home Runs

In 1969, Bryce Harper became the youngest player to accomplish three home runs in a single game.

October 16, 1992: Bryce Harper's Birth

On October 16, 1992, Bryce Aron Max Harper was born. He would become a professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Larry Walker's 1997 Record

In 1997, Larry Walker scored 29 runs in April, a record which Bryce Harper surpassed in 2017.

1998: Beltre's Home Run

In 1998, Adrián Beltré became the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since that year.

2006: Fernando Martinez in AFL

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

2008: Harper 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, Bryce Harper was featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story, being compared to LeBron James.

October 2009: Earned GED

In October 2009, Bryce Harper earned his GED in his junior year, allowing him to be eligible for the MLB draft earlier.

2009: Phillies Pennant

In 2009, Bryce Harper helped lead the Phillies to their first pennant since that year.

2009: Harper represents the United States

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

June 2010: Eligible for MLB Draft

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

August 26, 2010: Nationals Introduction

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

2010: Arizona Fall League Championship

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

2010: College Season at Southern Nevada

In 2010, Bryce Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada and broke the school's home run record, earning the SWAC Player of the Year award.

2010: Ejection and Suspension

In 2010, Bryce Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game and received a two-game suspension, 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 Nationals.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

In 2010, During the Western district finals of the NJCAA World Series, Harper had a strong performance, including hitting for the cycle in one game and hitting four home runs in another game of a doubleheader.

2010: Drafted as an Outfielder

In 2010, the Washington Nationals drafted Bryce Harper as an outfielder.

2010: Phillies' Last NLCS Appearance

The Phillies advanced to the NLCS in 2022 for the first time since 2010.

April 2011: New Contact Lenses Improve Performance

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Bryce Harper received contact lenses after visiting an optometrist. He improved his batting average in the following games.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Hamstring Injury

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

2011: Phillies' First Playoff Appearance Since 2011

In August 2022, after Bryce Harper's rehab stint, the Phillies surged in the second half to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

2011: Nationals hit four consecutive home runs

On July 27, 2017, Harper participated in one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters, a feat not accomplished in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

2011: Ryan Howard's 100+ RBI Season

Ryan Howard was the last Philadelphia Phillies player to reach 100 RBIs in a season, before Bryce Harper did in 2019.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut

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

2012: Begins 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, 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, Bryce Harper hit his first postseason home run.

2013: Two Home Runs on Opening Day

In 2013, Bryce Harper hit two home runs against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day, becoming the youngest major league player to achieve this.

2013: Home Run Derby Participant

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round and passing Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

April 25, 2014: Left Thumb Injury

On April 25, 2014, Bryce Harper suffered a left thumb injury sliding into third base against the San Diego Padres.

2014: Withdrawal from Japan All-Star Series

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

2014: Engagement to Kayla Varner

In 2014, Harper got engaged to Kayla Varner.

2014: Harper's home runs off Strickland in 2014 NLDS

In the 2014 National League Division Series, Bryce Harper hit two home runs off of Hunter Strickland, contributing to a past rivalry that led to an on-field altercation in 2017.

January 2015: Wedding Cancellation

In January 2015, Harper's scheduled 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: Historic Season

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

2015: Awards and Honors

In 2015, Bryce Harper received all 30 first place votes for the National League Most Valuable Player, won the Hank Aaron Award, and was named Baseball America's player of the year. ESPN also chose him as its 2015 MLB Person of the Year.

2015: NL MVP Award and Home Run Leader

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

2015: Featured in ESPN's The Magazine Body Issue

In 2015, 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 Harper had reconciled and were re-engaged.

September 2016: Death of José Fernández

In September 2016, Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández died in a boat crash. He was honored by Harper in the 2017 All-Star game.

December 2016: Marriage to Kayla Varner

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

2016: Appearance on The Tonight Show and Under Armour Deal

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

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2016: Statements on Faith and Career

In 2016, Harper discussed his faith, stating he felt he was meant to be a 'walking Book of Mormon' and to positively influence people through baseball.

2016: Harper's 2016 season

In 2016, Harper played 147 games with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI. He also had 108 walks, 20 of which were intentional, leading the MLB.

2016: Nationals' season finish and NLDS loss

In 2016, the Nationals concluded the season with a 95-67 record, securing the NL East division title. However, their postseason journey ended with a loss to the Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS).

April 3, 2017: Harper's Opening Day performance and MLB record

On April 3, 2017, Harper hit a solo home run, struck out, and walked against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day. It was the fifth home run of his career in a season opener, making him the youngest player to reach this milestone. In April 2017, he also set the MLB record for runs scored in the month with 32.

2017: Harper hits walk-off home run vs. Phillies

In 2017, Bryce Harper hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in the season on May 13, after previously hitting one on April 16.

2017: Harper's All-Star Game appearance

In 2017, Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and received the most votes of any one player overall. He went 1-for-1 with a walk and made a diving catch, and honored José Fernández by wearing special cleats.

2017: Harper's Previous Postseason Series

The 2022 Postseason was Harper's first postseason series since 2017.

2018: Free Agency and Phillies Contract

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

2018: Harper avoids arbitration with Nationals

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

2018: Harper's 2018 Season and Free Agency

In 2018, Harper had a .219 batting average with 21 home runs and 50 RBIs when named an All-Star. He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, and 100 RBIs. After the 2018 season, he became a free agent.

2018: Support for Vegas Golden Knights

In 2018, Harper supported the Vegas Golden Knights during their Stanley Cup Finals run by putting their logo on his bat.

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 D.C., naming it Bryce Harper Field.

March 2, 2019: Harper signs with the Phillies

On March 2, 2019, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He chose to wear No. 3 and at his first press conference, he mistakenly said, "We want to bring a title back to D.C."

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 to the second deck of the right field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park off Jesse Biddle of the Atlanta Braves.

August 15, 2019: Harper Hits Walk-Off Grand Slam

On August 15, 2019, Bryce Harper hit a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

August 22, 2019: Birth of First Child

On August 22, 2019, Harper's first child, a son, was born in Las Vegas while he was on paternity leave.

September 3, 2019: Harper reaches 100 RBIs in the 2019 season

On September 3, 2019, Harper reached his 100th RBI of the season, becoming the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season. Ultimately, the Phillies missed the playoffs.

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

In 2019, 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 Suspended Due to COVID-19

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

November 2020: Birth of Second Child

In November 2020, 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.

August 12, 2022: Harper announces participation in World Baseball Classic

On August 12, 2022, Harper announced he would join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

October 23, 2022: Harper's go-ahead home run and NLCS 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 2022 NLCS MVP.

November 23, 2022: Harper undergoes Tommy John surgery

On November 23, 2022, Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his ligament tear and was expected to return around the All-Star break. He made an earlier return in May, and later started playing as a first baseman in July.

2022: Harper's 2022 Regular Season Stats

In the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs, playing primarily as a designated hitter.

2023: Harper Unable to play in World Baseball Classic

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

2023: Relocation to Knoxville, Tennessee

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

2023: Baseball returns as competition sport at 2028 Summer Olympics

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

April 2024: Birth of Third Child

In April 2024, Harper's third child, a daughter, was born.

July 13, 2024: Harper homers against every MLB team

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

2024: Relocation to Knoxville, Tennessee

In 2024, Harper relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee during the offseason.

April 2025: Announcement of Fourth Pregnancy

In April 2025, Harper announced that he and his wife Kayla were expecting their fourth child, a boy, by debuting a blue colored bat, which was handed to him by Trea Turner.

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

On May 16, 2025, Harper recorded his 1,000th RBI and became the 14th player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before turning 33.