Bryce Harper Wants To Make Baseball Fun Again; Nationals' Slugger Hits Homer In Opener Vs. Braves

If Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was running for president of the United States - or at least president of the MLB Players Association - he'd be running under the slogan, "make baseball fun again."

After blasting a home run in his first at-bat of the season against the Atlanta Braves to help the team to a 4-3 victory in extra innings, Harper echoed how he felt about baseball's unwritten rules with a phrase on his newly customized trucker hat.

Earlier in the offseason Harper voiced his displeasure with how baseball restricts players from expressing themselves due to the unwritten rules that, at times, engulf the sport. Players have been criticized for showboating, trash talking and even celebrating their success on the field, which Harper doesn't believe should be the case. He doesn't have a problem with hitters or pitchers flaunting their confidence if they made a play that suggests such behavior.

Harper, 23, is known as a cocky player. Earlier in the offseason he said to "not sell him short" on a potential $400 million contract once he becomes a free agent. When he hits a home run, he'll let a pitcher know in some manner that he just obliterated the ball. He's a competitive guy and simply believes emotions and attitudes are part of sports, so there's no reason that baseball should restrict such behavior when every other major sport allows it.

The reigning NL MVP homered in his first at-bat today against the Braves, which you can check out below. He didn't show off, probably because it was the first inning, but you can bet if that was a high-stakes situation he would have done something the old school players wouldn't have liked.

It's good for baseball that Harper was open about his criticism of MLB's unwritten rules culture. He has every right to say what he wants after logging one of the most prolific offensive campaigns in baseball history last season. He hit .330/.460/.649 with 118 runs scored, 42 home runs and 99 RBI in 153 games and became the youngest unanimous NL MVP.

He'll be the face of the sport for a while and Commissioner Rob Manfred will likely take his words and actions into consideration as the league tries to attract a younger audience.

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Bryce harper, Washington nationals, Atlanta braves