JOHN GURZINSKI/LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL | Bryce Harper, 16, a Las Vegas High School baseball player, practices batting at Bat-R-Up on Tuesday. Harper will be featured on this week's Sports Illustrated cover.
POSTED: Tuesday June 2, 2009
See Bryce Harper on the cover of Sports Illustrated by clicking here.
Not one in any other local publication, but one that also might be picked up in New York or Chicago or any number of places around the world.
The 16-year-old Las Vegas High School sophomore baseball standout is being honored in a way that most amateur and even professional athletes never achieve.
He’s on the cover of the June 8 edition of Sports Illustrated. Yes, that Sports Illustrated. The edition hits newsstands Wednesday.
“I was in shock,” Harper said of finding out Monday that he had trumped every other sports story in the nation, including the NBA Finals and the NHL’s Stanley Cup Finals.
“I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think some 16-year-old kid would be on the cover. It’s something you dream about.”
Harper’s family is just as shocked.
“None of us knew, including Tom (Verducci, who wrote the SI story),” said Ron Harper, Bryce’s father. “We found out (Monday), and it was like, 'Wow.’ It’s just amazing. There was laughter, tears, all kinds of emotion. It’ll probably really hit home when we go to the newsstand.”
Harper hasn’t been much of a secret in this area.
But the rest of the country will find out what baseball fans in Southern Nevada and professional scouts already know. Harper is a phenomenal baseball player. He catches, pitches, hits monster home runs and basically turns baseball diamonds into his own playground.
Next to a picture of Harper taking a swing are the words “Chosen One.” In slightly smaller print, the magazine proclaims Harper “The Most Exciting Prodigy Since LeBron (James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers).”
“I actually laughed when I saw the cover,” Harper said. “You can’t express something like that in words.”
James was, at age 18, the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick. He went straight from high school to the NBA and won the league’s Rookie of the Year honor.
Harper is only 16 yet is being projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, the first year he’ll be eligible.
“I just need to get better,” said Harper, who spent part of Tuesday afternoon at a batting cage, trying to improve his game. “It can’t change your work ethic. You can always get better.”
And as of Wednesday, Harper has rock-star status. No matter where he goes, he’ll be “that kid on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”
“My true friends won’t treat me any differently,” Harper said. “I get some of it now every day, teachers and other students recognizing me in school or if I’m just out with my friends. I just try to ignore it.”
Said his father: “Bryce has really taken it in stride.”
One scout to whom Verducci spoke called Harper “a once-in-a-generation talent.”
Verducci details some of Harper’s feats. Not all, of course. There wouldn’t be room.
Oh, yeah, that was last year. When he was 15.
“The best thing about Bryce is every day there’ll be something new he does,” Thomas said. “He catches every day. To hit like that, to run the bases the way he does and to go on the mound and throw 96 (mph) with a curve ball and changeup, that’s what separates him.
“There have been a lot of great players out of this area, but none I’ve seen capable of going anywhere on the field and being one of the best at that position. The kid is so talented, you just try to focus him, and that’s not hard. He’s a coach’s dream.”
Major league teams send scouts to Wildcats games to the point where, at times, it almost looks like a convention. Representatives for super-agent Scott Boras often grab a seat, too.
“I notice the scouts. You’re going to notice that they’re there,” Harper said. “But I’m not going to change my game because someone is watching. I’m always going to give it my best. There’s always someone there seeing you for the first time, and you want to give a good first impression.”
Harper hit .626 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs for the Wildcats this past season. Forty-five of his 72 hits went for extra bases. He also stole 36 bases.
Thomas said a photographer from the magazine attended a Las Vegas game during spring break, followed Harper during the Sunrise Region tournament when the young star belted eight homers in seven games and came back after the playoffs to do a photo shoot.
“I kid you not; it was about a two-hour and 45-minute photo shoot,” Thomas said. “The whole thing really wasn’t a distraction. We knew about it in advance, but we didn’t make a point of saying anything to the team. It was like any other photographer being around.”
Harper already was the player opposing teams wanted to beat, but now he might face an even bigger opponent, the dreaded SI jinx, which sometimes haunts athletes and teams that appear on the magazine’s cover. Those who don’t perform well after being on the cover are said to have been jinxed.
The pressure on Harper to perform well probably just increased.
“I love the pressure,” he said. “That’s why you play the game, to be in pressure situations. If you don’t want pressure, you shouldn’t be playing.”
WOW ! Just wait until the national media gets a hold of Bryce Harper. The next A-Rod ? He better hope not !!!!!! Hall of Fame ? Wait a minute! Way too much hype ! Let him play at the minor league level first. Then you can judge.
grats harp much love.
Gorman shouldn't even be allowed to compete for any public school state championships. Neither should any other privately funded schools, I have an idea... lets have Findly Prep compete for the 4A basketball state championship next season!
Congrats to Bryce! I know your family is proud but it sounds like you've been this way in the baseball world since you were little. You certainly have been blessed with this gift. Good luck to you as you proceed through high school and college and I hope to read much about you in the pros.
Easy guys! It's clear that Mike isn't taking anything away from Bryce Harper - he made that clear in his comments. I was at the BGHS vs. LVHS play-in game for a spot in the state tourney. I've never seen a high school catcher make the snap throw to second base like he does (from the squat position). He's clearly a rare talent. A true baseball fan appreciates talent, regardless of which team that player plays for. He's got incredible power at the plate, and I'm sure he'll excel at the next level, as Jeff Malm surely will. I saw his home run derby performance at Tropicana Field on You Tube, and there's no doubt about his power. Maybe after the draft next week you'll find it fitting to do a story on Jeff Malm's career. I wish Bryce nothing but the best as his career continues. It is exciting for our city to have players of this caliber, and I'm fortunate to have been able to see them both play this year. By the way, that SI jinx is overrated. I'm sure his family, friends and teammates are very proud of him, as they should be. Our city should be proud of both of these players! Congrats to both of them, and good luck to both as their careers continue.
Easy guys! It's clear that Mike isn't taking anything away from Bryce Harper - he made that clear in his comments. I was at the BGHS vs. LVHS play-in game for a spot in the state tourney. I've never seen a high school catcher make the snap throw to second base like he does (from the squat position). He's clearly a rare talent. A true baseball fan appreciates talent, regardless of which team that player plays for. He's got incredible power at the plate, and I'm sure he'll excel at the next level, as Jeff Malm surely will. I saw his home run derby performance at Tropicana Field on You Tube, and there's no doubt about his power. Maybe after the draft next week you'll find it fitting to do a story on Jeff Malm's career. I wish Bryce nothing but the best as his career continues. It is exciting for our city to have players of this caliber, and I'm fortunate to have been able to see them both play this year. By the way, that SI jinx is overrated. I'm sure his family, friends and teammates are very proud of him, as they should be. Our city should be proud of both of these players! Congrats to both of them, and good luck to both as their careers continue.
Wow...that's amazing! Congratulations!
Easy guys! AS I said in my letter, I'm not taking anything away from Bryce Harper. I was at the LVHS BGHS play-in game which Gorman won. Bryce is obviously a super talented player. I don't recall seeing a high school catcher ever make snap throws to second base (from the squat position)the way he did. He almost picked off the Gorman runner on second base on more than one occasion. His bat speaks for itself. It's clear to anyone who follows baseball that he's a major talent. It's incredible that he's going to be on the cover of SI, and his family, team and city has much to be proud of. I just think a story on Jeff Malm's incredible high school career is overdue. Congrats to Bryce, his family and his coaches. It will be fun to follow his career in the future, and I wish him nothing but good luck, so call off the dogs ok?
I'm pretty sure Bryce(and his parents) wanted to play one year with Bryan. So, he would have had to sit out this year to play at Gorman. Plus, he doesn't need Gorman to be seen.
I was at the Bg/Lv game about 2 weeks ago or so, and WOW..these are two very special special players. The city of Las Vegas should be proud of everything that both Haper and Malm have accomplished! Great job guys! And Congratulations to the Harper family, Sports Illustrated is awesome!!
WHO CARES ABOUT MALM AND GORMAN--- THIS IS ABOUT HARPER ...GREAT JOB! GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE!!!
WHO CARES ABOUT MALM AND GORMAN--- THIS IS ABOUT HARPER ...GREAT JOB! GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE!!!
Mike -- REALLY?? Gorman always has to find a way....this isn't about Gorman...or Malm...yes he is a good player--- HOWEVER, give credit where credit is due. My son played with Bryce for a few years and even at 9 and 10 they said he would be a number 1 draft pick...that is a special player. Soooo...get over it already! Great Job Bryce and the Harper family and THANK GOD you stayed at your "home" school and didn't get suckered into Gorman......just goes to show, good players get noticed no matter where you are! Congrats on SI--that is AWESOME!!
Wow, Jeff Malm he's probably on steroids as it is. AND he's a senior and can't do what this SOPHOMORE can. Get over it, only Gaels like Gorman everywhere else intensely diklikes you.
Let the kid who the story is on get the credit. Obviously SI thought Harper was better.
Woop-Dee-Doo. NO ONE LIKES GORMAN.
Bryce has played for many teams from Vegas and all over the counrty. Scout teams, teams from California, Texas, etc. In Las Vegas he played for Desert Storm club team for 1 year coached by Dave Krasn then went to the Southern Nevad Bulldogs for 3-4 years coached by Scott Baker from Bishop Gorman. How Bishop Gorman didn't get Harper is amazing having played for Baker for 3-4 years. And everyone says they recruit??? Then played for Vipers for 1-2 years (coach unknown). Why wouldnt the best player in the country not want to play for Bishop Gorman being the best team in the STATE if not the COUNTRY?? Better change their recruiting tactics i guess!!! He also has played for Team USA 16U. If anyone knows of more teams please comment.
Just curious where did Harper play before high school?
Jeff Malm isnt the one who has the highest era in nevada..
go look it up..
hey mike coryer. it looks like the RJ won't even need to write a story on Malm, because you just gave a synopsis of his entire life. dont get mad at the RJ. get mad at SI. anytime someone from LV gets put on the cover of SI, the RJ's going to cover it. Just because SI chose Harper doesnt mean that the RJ has a bias against Gorman, and you're ridiculous for even thinking that. Gorman gets more coverage than any school in the freaking state! But heaven forbid that we should turn our focus away from BGHS for half a second to pay respects to a young talented product of the CCSD that was just presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You sound like a wining infant. You're an adult. So knock it off. IF Malm gets on the cover of SI, Im sure the RJ will do a big story on it too.... IF he gets on the cover....
Wow...Chosen One? Have any of you at the RJ heard of a player at Gorman by the name of Jeff Malm? How can you not have done a feature story on this fine young man and super athlete by now? Jeff just led his Gorman team to their fourth straight Nevada State Championship. On the way, he tied the national high school career hits record. Jeff did this as a power hitter, making this accomplishment even more remarkable. I couldn't list what he's accomplished in his four years at Gorman in the space allowed, but I'm sure your Sports writers are quite aware of his talent. There seems to be a bias against Gorman in your coverage. But let's face it - talent is talent. I'm not taking anything away from Bryce Harper- he's quite a story and obviously a gifted player with a very promising future in baseball. But come on guys, give us a story on Jeff Malm. He's earned it with his accomplishments on the field, and in the classroom. Let's see what Harper does after his four years before we use the word "prodigy" so quickly. As most of you are aware, the draft is a week away. I'm sure this will make clear what the pro scouts and teams think Of Jeff Malm's potential. The kid has won at every level he's played. he skipped a chance to play at Showcase events at Dodgere Stadium and Wrigley Field so he could play with his Legion team. By the way, they won the Legion World Series. One more comment about Jeff Malm. He carries himself on and off the field with class. There isn't a trace of "superstar aura' about this great player. It's time you give him his due!
Yayyy Bryce!!!! Congratulations to a great young man from an Awesome family!! I cant wait to watch the Harper boys on TV playing baseball. Way to represent Vegas with class.
"The Chosen One"....awesome. Way to represent Las Vegas.
Congratulations.
Congratulations Bryce and family on such an incredible achievement. Keep up the hard work!!
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