Up against the clock

Bryce Harper in 2012

After navigating their way through the usual fun-and-game negotiations with uber-agent Scott Boras, the Washington Nationals wait until the final minutes before the signing deadline 15 years ago today to get the autograph of the draft’s first overall pick, 17-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper, on a five-year contract worth $9.9 million.

Harper makes a pit stop on City Island with the Class AA Harrisburg Senators in 2011 on his way to an All-Star start to his career in the majors with the Nationals and now the Philadelphia Phillies.

Along the way, Harper wins the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year Award, as well as earning the league’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2015 while with the Nationals and 2021 with the Phillies.

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