Bryce Harper may skip Home Run Derby with father nursing injury

Those hoping to see Bryce Harper participate in the 2015 Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park were dealt some potentially disappointing news on Sunday.

According to Cincinnati.com’s C. Trent Rosecrans, Harper’s status for the event is up in the air. Not because of any baseball related concerns or injuries he’s suffered, including the bruised back that forced him to miss Saturday’s game, but rather the health of his father, who handled pitching duties when Harper finished second to Yoenis Cespedes in the 2013 derby.

As the story notes, Ron Harper recently had surgery on his rotator cuff following a snowboarding accident and may not be ready to throw by July 13. If he’s not available, it sounds like Bryce will skip the event all together out of loyalty and perhaps even comfort.

“I probably won’t be able to do it this year, because he’s my guy,” Harper said of his father.

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That’s certainly Harper’s prerogative, but given the power he’s displayed early this season — he’s tied for the MLB lead with 18 — it would be quite disappointing to not have him involved. Especially at a ballpark where the baseball carries and the potential for some breathtaking blasts exists.

As it turns out, it would also be disappointing for his dad, who actually grew up a Reds fan despite living in Vegas.

“It was weird because he’s from Vegas, and the Dodgers at that time were the big rivalry, but my dad always liked the Reds,” Harper said. “I think my first Little League team was the Reds. My dad was a huge fan of them. (I’d watch the Big Red Machine on) ESPN Classic, of course. My dad taught me about the Big Red Machine and all those guys. And then there’s Barry Larkin – I could go on and on. I know a lot about the Reds’ history because of my dad. It’s fun to talk to him about it.”

One thing we do know is that Bryce Harper will be in Cincinnati for the All-Star game itself, health permitting, and that many of those Reds will be in attendance. If nothing else, his dad will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of his favorites, so it’ll work out well for him.

For the rest of us, we’re just hoping that rotator cuff heals allowing Harper to join the game’s best sluggers on the big stage.

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