History of Bryce Harper in Timeline

Bryce Harper is a professional baseball player currently playing first base and right field for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. He previously played for the Washington Nationals. Harper is known for his hitting prowess and has been a prominent figure in Major League Baseball since his debut.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Top hitting season

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

1964: Teenager stole home plate

In 2012, Bryce Harper became the first teenager to steal home plate since 1964.

1969: MLB Feat

In 2015, Bryce Harper became the youngest player to accomplish a feat since Joe Lahoud in 1969.

October 16, 1992: Bryce Harper's Birth

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

Others born on this day/year

1997: Harper Surpasses Walker's Record

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

1998: Youngest to homer

In 2012, Bryce Harper became the youngest player to homer since Adrian Beltre did in 1998.

2008: Harper Joins 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, during his junior year, Bryce Harper earned his GED, allowing him to reclassify and become eligible for the Major League Baseball draft earlier.

2009: Pan American Championship Gold

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 Pennant Win

In 2021, Bryce Harper and the Phillies won their first pennant since 2009

June 2010: MLB draft Eligibility

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

August 26, 2010: Introduction by the Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper was officially introduced by the Washington Nationals, where he announced his choice to wear No. 34 in honor of Mickey Mantle.

2010: AFL Championship

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

2010: Golden Spikes Award and MLB Draft

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award. Later that year, the Washington Nationals selected him as the first overall pick in the MLB draft.

2010: College Season at Southern Nevada

In 2010, Bryce Harper, at 17 years old, enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada. He hit 31 home runs, breaking the school's record, and was named the SWAC Player of the Year for 2010.

2010: Phillies Advance to NLCS

In 2022, with their advancement to the NLDS, the Phillies, aided by Harper, made it to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.

April 2011: Vision Correction and Performance Improvement

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses, leading to a significant improvement in his batting performance.

2011: Last Consecutive Home Runs

In 2017, on July 27, Bryce Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters. The feat marked the first time since the 2011 season such an event had occurred in Major League Baseball.

2011: Last 100 RBI Season Before Harper

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

2011: Phillies Postseason Berth

In 2022, the Phillies made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

2012: Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, Bryce 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 feat.

2013: Home Run Derby Finalist

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, advancing to the final round and becoming the youngest player to ever make it that far. During the 2013 off-season, Harper successfully underwent left knee surgery to remove a bursa sac.

April 25, 2014: Thumb Injury

On April 25, 2014, Bryce Harper suffered a left thumb injury during a game against the San Diego Padres and was later placed on the 15-day disabled list.

2014: Harper and Varner Get Engaged

In 2014, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner got engaged.

2014: Withdrawal from Japan All-Star Series

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

2014: Harper's Home Runs Against Strickland

In 2014, Bryce Harper hit two home runs off Hunter Strickland in the National League Division Series (NLDS), which the Giants ultimately won.

January 2015: Harper and Varner's Wedding Postponed

In January 2015, Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner's wedding did not take place as originally planned.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

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

2015: Awards and Recognition for Historic Season

Bryce Harper's historic 2015 season earned him numerous awards, including the National League Most Valuable Player Award, the Hank Aaron Award, and being named Baseball America's player of the year.

2015: Historic Season

In 2015, Bryce Harper had a historic season, with his OPS+ ranking among the top-5 hitting seasons for players under 23 since 1900 and the best since Barry Bonds a decade earlier. He led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title.

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 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, which was also his 100th career home run, in a game against the Atlanta Braves.

July 2016: Harper and Varner Announce Reconciliation and Re-engagement

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

September 2016: Fernández's Death

In September 2016, Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, who had a strong record against Harper, died in a boat crash.

December 2016: Harper and Varner Marry

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

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2016: Harper's Season Performance and Ejection

In 2016, Bryce Harper concluded 147 games with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI. He also had 108 walks, including a league-leading 20 intentional walks. Harper was ejected from a game after yelling at an umpire and later suspended for one game, which he appealed before serving the suspension on May 14.

2016: Harper Discusses Faith and Baseball Career

In 2016, Bryce Harper discussed his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He expressed that he felt his Heavenly Father wanted him to be a "walking Book of Mormon", aiming to positively influence people through his baseball career both on and off the field.

2016: Nationals' Season End

In 2016, the Nationals finished the season with a 95-67 record and clinched the NL East division. However, they were defeated by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS).

April 3, 2017: Harper's Opening Day Performance

On April 3, 2017, during Opening Day, Bryce 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, the most by any player younger than 25.

2017: Harper's Walk-off Home Run

In 2017, Bryce Harper hit a walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time that season, mirroring a feat he previously accomplished on April 16.

2017: All-Star Game Selection and Performance

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

2017: Harper's Last Postseason Series

The 2022 season marked Bryce Harper's first postseason series since 2017.

2018: Harper Shows Support for Vegas Golden Knights

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

2018: Harper's All-Star Selection and Season Performance

In 2018, Bryce Harper, despite a .219 batting average, was selected as a starting outfielder for the MLB All-Star Game, where he won the home run derby. He concluded the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, a .249 batting average, and 100 RBIs, becoming a free agent after the season.

2018: Arbitration Avoided

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

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, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, setting a record for the largest MLB contract at the time. Harper chose to wear No. 3 with the Phillies, and in a press conference, misspoke by saying, "We want to bring a title back to D.C."

March 30, 2019: Harper's First Hit as a Phillie

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

August 15, 2019: Harper's Walk-Off Grand Slam

On August 15, 2019, Bryce 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 Kayla Varner welcomed their first child, a son, in Las Vegas while Harper was on paternity leave.

September 3, 2019: Harper Reaches 100 RBIs

On September 3, 2019, Bryce Harper recorded his 100th RBI of the season, marking his second consecutive year with at least 100 RBIs. He was the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to achieve this.

2019: Appears 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, a video game in which he was 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 and Kayla Harper welcomed their second child, a daughter.

2021: Harper Wins Second MVP Award

In 2021, Bryce Harper batted .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs, leading the major leagues in slugging percentage. He won his second career National League MVP award, becoming the second player in MLB history to win a league MVP with two different teams before the age of 30.

2021: Second NL MVP Award

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

August 12, 2022: Harper Announces World Baseball Classic Participation

On August 12, 2022, Bryce 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, Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run, sending the Phillies to the 2022 World Series. He was voted the 2022 NLCS MVP at the end of the game.

November 23, 2022: Harper Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

On November 23, 2022, Bryce Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for a ligament tear. He was expected to return as the Phillies' designated hitter around the All-Star break but rejoined the team earlier than expected.

2022: Harper's 2022 Regular Season Stats

In the 2022 regular season, Bryce Harper batted .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs. He played primarily as a designated hitter (DH) and had the ninth-highest salary in baseball at $27.5 million.

2023: Harper Moves to Knoxville

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

2023: Harper Unable to Play in WBC

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

2023: Baseball Returns to Olympics

In 2023, it was announced that baseball would return as a competition sport at 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 Completes Homer Record

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

2024: Harper Moves to Knoxville

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

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

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

2028: Harper's Olympic Dream

In 2028, Bryce Harper hopes to participate in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles should MLB players be allowed. He expressed his desire to represent the USA at the highest level, even though he acknowledged he might be considered too old by then.