History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

Bryce Harper is a prominent American professional baseball player, currently playing right field and first base for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. He previously played for the Washington Nationals. Harper is known for his hitting prowess and has established himself as one of the league's most recognizable and marketable stars.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Top 5 hitting season

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

1964: Teenager Stealing Home Plate

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

1969: Joe Lahoud Home Runs

In 1969, Joe Lahoud was the youngest player to hit three home runs in a single game.

1984: Dwight Gooden 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 now a professional baseball right fielder and first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Others born on this day/year

1997: Runs scored record surpassed

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

1998: Adrian Beltre Home Run

In 1998, Adrian Beltre was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since 1998.

2006: Fernando Martinez in the AFL

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

2008: Played for United States U-18 baseball team

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

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 after dropping out of high school in his junior year.

2009: Represented United States 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 the gold medal.

2009: Phillies Pennant

In 2009, Harper helped lead the Phillies to their first pennant since 2009, winning the NLCS MVP in the process.

June 2010: MLB Draft Eligibility

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

August 26, 2010: Introduction by the Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Harper was introduced by the Washington Nationals and revealed he chose to wear No. 34.

2010: Phillies to NLCS

During the 2022 NLDS, the Phillies won the series 3–1 and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.

2010: Enrolled at College of Southern Nevada

For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old 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: Ejection from National Junior College World Series game

In 2010, Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game and suspended for two games.

2010: Drafted by the Washington Nationals

In 2010, the Washington Nationals selected 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: AFL Championship

On November 20, Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the 2010 AFL Championship.

April 2011: Visit to Optometrist

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Harper visited optometrist Dr. Keith Smithson and received contact lenses.

2011: Ryan Howard's last 100 RBI season

Harper's 100 RBIs in 2019 marked the first time a Phillies player reached that milestone since Ryan Howard in 2011.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Hamstring Injury

In 2011, Harper was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and later suffered a season-ending hamstring injury on August 18.

2011: Phillies' Postseason Drought

In August 2022, Harper rehabbed with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and the Phillies reached the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

2011: Consecutive Home Runs by Nationals Hitters

On July 27, 2017, Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters, marking the first time this feat had been accomplished in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut

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

2012: Season with Syracuse Chiefs

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: Opening Day Home Runs and All-Star Selection

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

2013: Home Run Derby Participation

In 2013, Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round.

April 25, 2014: Thumb Injury

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

2014: Withdrawal 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: Engaged to Kayla Varner

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

2014: Home runs off Strickland in 2014 NLDS

In the 2014 National League Division Series, Harper hit two home runs off of Hunter Strickland. This event later contributed to a brawl between the two players in 2017.

January 2015: Wedding Was Called Off

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

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

On April 18, 2015, Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career, measuring 461 feet, against the Philadelphia Phillies.

2015: League Leader in WAR and Home Runs

Harper led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title with 42 in 2015. His OPS+ was among the top 5 for players under 23 since 1900.

2015: National League Most Valuable Player

Harper received all 30 first place votes for the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player, also winning the Hank Aaron Award and being named Baseball America's player 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 Award

In 2015, Harper was named the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP).

April 14, 2016: Harper hits first career grand slam and 100th home run

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

July 2016: Reconciliation and Re-engagement

In July 2016, Kayla Varner announced the reconciliation and re-engagement of her and Bryce Harper.

September 2016: Death of José Fernández

In September 2016, Miami Marlins ace José Fernández died in a boat crash. Harper honored him at the 2017 All-Star Game.

December 2016: Marriage to Kayla Varner

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

2016: Discussed his faith

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

2016: Signed Under Armour extension

In 2016, Bryce Harper signed a 10-year extension with apparel company Under Armour, which at the time was the largest endorsement deal in history for a baseball player.

2016: Harper's 2016 season

In 2016, Harper played 147 games, finishing with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBIs. He also walked 108 times, with 20 intentional walks, leading the MLB.

2016: Nationals' season outcome

In 2016, the Nationals finished the season with a 95–67 record, clinching the NL East division, but were defeated by the Dodgers in the NLDS.

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 on Opening Day. This was his fifth career home run in a season opener, a record for a player under 25.

2017: All-Star Game selection and performance

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

2017: First Postseason Series

In Harper's first postseason series since 2017, he hit a home run in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series vs St. Louis in an eventual 2–0 victory.

2017: Walk-off home run

On May 13, 2017, Harper hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in the 2017 season, after doing it on April 16 as well.

2018: Phillies Contract

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

2018: Supported Vegas Golden Knights

In 2018, Bryce Harper dropped the puck before a Vegas Golden Knights game in their inaugural season and put the Golden Knights' logo on his bat during their run to the Stanley Cup Final.

2018: Harper's 2018 season and free agency

In 2018, Harper was named an All-Star, won the homerun derby, and finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, and 100 RBIs. He became a free agent after the season.

2018: Bryce Harper Field Named

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.

2018: Arbitration agreement and walk-off home run

On May 13, 2018, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract. That night, he hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

March 2, 2019: Harper signs with the Phillies

On March 2, 2019, 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 misspoke by saying "We want to bring a title back to D.C."

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.

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 with his wife on paternity leave.

September 3, 2019: Harper bats 100th RBI

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

2019: Appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play 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, where he was featured as the cover athlete.

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

2021: Second NL MVP Award

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

August 12, 2022: Announced participation in 2023 World Baseball Classic

On August 12, 2022, Bryce Harper announced he would join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, along with Phillies teammates J. T. Realmuto and Trea Turner. However, he was ultimately unable to participate due to Tommy John surgery rehabilitation.

October 8, 2022: Home run in NL Wild Card Series Game 2

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

October 23, 2022: NLCS Game 5 winning home run and MVP

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

November 23, 2022: Harper undergoes Tommy John surgery

On November 23, 2022, Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for a ligament tear in his elbow, with an expected return as a designated hitter around the All-Star break.

2022: Harper's 2022 regular season performance

During the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs. He played primarily as a designated hitter due to injury.

2023: Relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee

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

2023: Expressed Hope to Participate in 2028 Summer Olympics

In 2023, Bryce Harper expressed his hope that MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, after the announcement that baseball would return as a competition sport. He stated his dream to represent the USA at the highest level.

2023: 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. The United States team finished as runner-ups, losing to Japan in the championship game.

April 2024: Birth of third child

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

July 13, 2024: Homering Against Every MLB Team

On July 13, 2024, Bryce Harper achieved a career milestone by hitting a home run against every team in Major League Baseball. He accomplished this feat with a solo home run off a pitch from Austin Adams of the Oakland Athletics.

2024: Relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee

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

April 2025: Announced fourth pregnancy

In April 2025, Bryce Harper announced that his wife was pregnant with their fourth child, revealing it would be a boy by debuting a blue colored bat handed to him by Trea Turner.

May 16, 2025: Reaching 1,000th RBI

On May 16, 2025, Bryce Harper recorded his 1,000th RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This milestone occurred during an 8–4 Phillies comeback victory. He also became the fourteenth player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before turning 33.

October 2, 2025: Birth of fourth child

On October 2, 2025, Bryce Harper's fourth child, a son, was born.

February 1, 2026: Future date mentioned

This date appears in the citation for baseball-reference.com

2026: Represented United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic

In 2026, Bryce Harper represented the United States during the World Baseball Classic. During the championship game against Venezuela, he hit a game-tying two-run home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th inning, tying the game 2-2. However, Team USA lost 3-2 and finished as runner-ups for a second consecutive World Baseball Classic. His tournament average was .214 with 6-28, 1 home run, and 3 RBI.