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By Tyler Erzberger
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The last moment people will remember from Bryce Harper at the World Baseball Classic, if Team USA doesn't make it past the group stages, is him lazily flying out in the bottom of the eighth inning against Italy with a chance to tie the game.
While almost every American player is catching heat following the team's embarrassing loss to Italy on Tuesday night in Houston, no one might be getting more criticism thrown their way than the Philadelphia Phillies star.
As other players celebrated the WBC and talked up its importance as the most prestigious tournament in international baseball, Harper downplayed the spectacle, saying that playing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics held higher value to him.
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In a world where Harper was smashing the ball and Team USA was waltzing to the quarterfinals, his comments would be yesterday's news.
But with the USA possibly eliminated in the group stages of the WBC for the first time, depending on the result of Mexico vs. Italy, Harper has the crosshairs of the baseball community at large on him.
More news: USA Slammed By Fans After Most Embarrassing Loss in Team History vs Italy
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Harper, regarded as one of the team's leaders, put up an awful performance in the WBC group stage. From porous hitting to inconsistent fielding, the former National League MVP was everything but valuable through the first (and possibly only) four games of the event.
And the fans online have made their judgment known, in the thousands, all cascading backlash down on Harper.
"Has Bryce Harper had a clutch moment since 2023? Jesus Christ, this guy is useless."
"Just so we’re clear: Tarik Skubal decided he was more important than his country, then Bryce Harper declared this didn’t matter to him," a fan wrote on social media. "These are the guys who are supposed to 'grow the game' for Americans. Pathetic."
"Name someone who has fallen off harder than Bryce Harper," a Phillies fan posted on X.
If Italy wins on Wednesday over Mexico or the Mexicans score 5 or more runs in victory, Harper and the rest of Team USA will get a chance for redemption in the quarterfinals.
If not, though, after how he performed at this WBC and with the rise of young first base talent like Nick Kurtz, there might not be a next time for Harper in the red, white, and blue.
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