The Washington Nationals hit the low point of their 2015 season on Sunday when Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon had to be pulled away from one another after getting into a fight in the dugout. Things got even more embarrassing for the team when manager Matt Williams decided to leave Papelbon in the game to pitch the following inning.
Harper was taken out of the lineup, but Williams explained that Papelbon remained in because “he’s our closer” and the game was tied in the ninth. Naturally, Papelbon gave up a go-ahead two-run homer and was booed when he was pulled with the bases loaded.
After the 12-5 loss, Williams claimed he never would have sent Papelbon back out to the mound if he knew the exact extent of the fight.
“Now that I’ve had a chance to view the videotape, I would absolutely not have sent him back out there,” Williams said, according to James Wagner of The Washington Post. “I didn’t have the luxury of viewing that at that time, with one out in the eighth inning. And I’m livid about it.”
The video, which has been replayed countless times, showed Papelbon grabbing Harper by the throat. Williams was on the other side of the dugout and realized what was going on as teammates were separating the two.
Papelbon admitted he was wrong after the game and would not say what set him off, but it seems he was angry over Harper not hustling when he flied out. Both players compared the altercation to siblings fighting.
Papelbon: "I'm in the wrong there." Wouldn't specify what exactly took issue with, but said its important to "play the game the right way."
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 27, 2015
Papelbon said he apologized to Harper after the game. Compared situation to when siblings fighting. Cited frustration from missing playoffs.
— Daniel Shiferaw (@dshif) September 27, 2015
Harper on Papelbon: "He apologized, so, yeah. Whatever. I really don't care…It's like brothers fighting."
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) September 27, 2015
If by “brothers” they mean two grown men who make millions of dollars fighting like children, then yes, Papelbon and Harper acted exactly like brothers.
