What a season it was! With the 2018 season in the books it is time to take a final look back at the year that was by remembering the top moments of the season. These moments are in the order they happened. This is part two of the series of posts
July 17th: Bryce Harper wins Home Run Derby in front of home crowd
The 2018 season was a disappointing one for the Washington Nationals, but they had one great moment during the All-Star break. Washington was the host of the all-star festivities including the Home Run Derby, where the Nationals’ own Bryce Harper was competing. Harper hit 45 total home runs on the night, including nine in the last 50 seconds to tie Kyle Schwarber in the finals, before defeating him in bonus time (mlb.com). This derby was record setting with a record 221 home runs being hit into the Washington night, including an event-leading 55 from the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber (mlb.com). Harper hugged his father who pitched to him as the sell out crowd roared. Harper’s future was a subject of intense speculation all season long as his free agency loomed like a storm cloud over the Nationals all season long, but for a night at least, Bryce Harper was D.C.’s favorite son one more time.
September 29: David Wright says goodbye
Mets captain David Wright was one of the best players of the 2000s until injuries derailed his career. Having not played a game since May of 2016, the Mets announced Wright would play a final game on September 29 to give the fans a chance to say goodbye and thank you. There was no fairytale home run in his final at-bat, Wright went 0-1 with a walk and handled his one play at third base with ease. He jogged out to his position in the top of the fifth and was removed from the game to a standing ovation that lasted over 3 minutes. A tearful Wright hugged each of his teammates as the crowd chanted “Thank you David.” Wright blew a kiss to the sellout crowd at Citi Field, took a bow and one last curtain call before departing for the clubhouse with a video montage of the many highlights of his illustrious career playing on the jumbotron (espn.com). The 7-time all-star’s daughter threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with her father catching it behind the plate.
Full Count 