WASHINGTON -- Too many days this season, Bryce Harper has looked like more a young athlete saddled with a terrible burden than a superstar on the precipice of an adventure. He's hitting .214. The Washington Nationals are playing below expectations, and his manager, Dave Martinez, recently had to call him in and deliver a reminder on the importance of running out routine ground balls.
Somber, distracted and underachieving are never a good recipe for getting the most out of a free-agent "walk" year.