Stephen A. Smith Demands Severe Punishment For Bryce Harper originally appeared on The Spun.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is officially calling for the MLB to discipline Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.
Advertisement
According to ESPN, Harper had an intense showdown with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred last week. The All-Star first baseman told Manfred to “get the [expletive] out” when he stopped by Philadelphia’s clubhouse. There’s been some chatter about the league potentially implementing a salary cap. That idea clearly doesn’t have Harper’s approval.
“It was pretty intense, definitely passionate,” Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos told ESPN. “Both of ’em. The commissioner giving it back to Bryce and Bryce giving it back to the commissioner. That’s Harp. He’s been doing this since he was 15 years old. It’s just another day. I wasn’t surprised.”
On this Wednesday’s edition of “First Take,” Chris Russo went on a rant about Harper’s confrontation with Manfred. It didn’t take long for Smith to chime in with his thoughts.
Advertisement
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during Game Three of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Smith believes Harper’s behavior warrants a suspension from the MLB.
“I love Bryce Harper, I really, really do. I’m not gonna lie to you, you can’t confront the commissioner like that and talk to him like that,” Smith said, via Awful Announcing. “We all got to remember there’s so much more that goes into the world of business, negotiations, and things of that nature, it’s not just one individual. And to have an authoritative figure like that be talked to like that and disrespected like that, I’m sorry.”
Advertisement
Smith wasn’t the only media member who ripped Harper’s alleged antics earlier this week.
“For Bryce Harper to act that way. Like, who are you? You got your money. You’re good,” Dan Patrick said, via the New York Post. “Maybe you’re fighting for everyone else. I understand that. But this is the commissioner of the game. He’s at least talking to you. Would you have more respect if he didn’t say something to you? If he hid? I was disappointed in Bryce Harper. I was embarrassed for him.”
As of now, the MLB hasn’t hinted at a potential suspension for Harper. Maybe that’ll change though.
Advertisement
Related: Two MLB Teams Pursuing Blockbuster Steven Kwan Trade
Stephen A. Smith Demands Severe Punishment For Bryce Harper first appeared on The Spun on Jul 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.