"I don’t necessarily see him being a huge leader of the team" - Former MLB player Jonathan Papelbon on Bryce Harper in June 2022
In July 2022, former MLB relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon accused his former teammate Bryce Harper of being self-centered and lacking leadership qualities.
In an interview with Betway, Papelbon was asked to give his two cents on the 2022 MLB season, the performance of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Harper.
Papelbon said:
"It's always been kind of chaotic in Philadelphia, with the fans, with the players, with the front office. It's like a s**tshow there. And, for me, I see the s**tshow continuing. I mean, they fired their manager, what, two months into the season? As long as that stuff happens, Philadelphia will never win again. Philadelphia will never get back to the playoffs.”
He added:
“When they brought in me, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, everybody started getting hurt, and the sh**show began after that, I believe. It's been nothing but downhill for the Phillies since then, and there hasn't been anything even close to resembling a postseason team.”
He then recalled his time with his former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper and attacked him, saying:
"I don't necessarily see him being a huge leader of the team, because he was never really a leader when I played with him. He kind of went about his own business and more was a me-guy or an I-guy, and wasn't really into what was happening in the clubhouse, and didn't have that pull for the team.”
Remember a few months ago when Papelbon, on the basis of his interaction with a 22-year-old Bryce Haprer, was dogging him as selfish and that the Phillies had no chance of making the playoffs? nbcsports.com/philadelphia/p…
"Remember a few months ago when Papelbon, on the basis of his interaction with a 22-year-old Bryce Haprer, was dogging him as selfish and that the Phillies had no chance of making the playoffs?" - @David B. Larter
Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon played together for the Washington Nationals from 2015 to 2016.
Papelbon was released by the MLB franchise on July 4, 2016. Bryce, meanwhile, went on to play for three more years before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019.
Bryce Harper won the NLCS MVP in 2022
Bryce Harper recently won the NLCS MVP award after capping off an incredible series with a game-winning two-run home run in Philadelphia's 4-3 victory over the Padres.
Bryce Harper wins NLCS MVP 🏆 https://t.co/95JoJ3Ca8Y
"Bryce Harper wins NLCS MVP." - @ESPN
It appeared as though Papelbon's rant acted as motivation for Harper to pull up his socks and deliver. He will now be hoping to lead the Phillies to World Series success.