Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper won the 2018 Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion last night, outlasting Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber at Nationals Park.
Trailing Schwarber 18-9 in the final round, Harper went deep nine times in a span of 10 swings to tie it at the end of regulation. Then he drove the second pitch of bonus time over the fence in center field to win the home run crown and send the home crowd into a frenzy. Harper celebrated with his teammaes Max Scherzer and Sean Doolittle, as well as Nats manager, Dave Martinez, and his father, Ron, who was pitching to him in the derby.
"It's unbelievable,'' Harper said, according to ESPN. "We have some of the best fans in baseball, and to be able to do that with my family out there, that's an incredible moment -- not only for me, but for the organization and Nationals fans. I'm very blessed and humbled."
"He came through," Ron Harper said. "He did great, so I'm really proud of him. I love him to death, man. He's a great kid. You couldn't ask for anything better."
Prior to the Home Run Derby, the Nationals sent out an email to their mailing list promising to reduce ticket prices of lower-level seats by $1 for every home run Harper hit, down to as low as $1. Because Harper hit 45 home runs, and lower-level tickets in two sections start at less than that amount, the team will sell tickets for those seats to five games for just a dollar while supply lasts.
"One of my favorite things is walking in and seeing the workers and really having that relationship with them," Harper said. "It's the security guy up front or the guy that works the parking lot. Those are the relationships that you love.
"I'm very serious on the field. I'm a very serious player. But off the field, I'm the kid you saw out there tonight. This wasn't only for me and my family, but for the cook and the guy that works out front and the people that work upstairs. It was for the whole city of D.C."