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Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and National League competes during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on July 16 in Washington, DC. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
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Bryce Harper keeps the good times rolling for D.C. fans

Nationals outfielder wins Home Run Derby in home stadium a month after Capitals win Stanley Cup

Rhiannon Walker @InstantRHIplay
Topics:
Home Run Derby MLB All-Star Game Washington Nationals Bryce Harper Chicago Cubs MLB

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    8:24 AMNew championship, who dis? This is the energy Washington, D.C., after 26 years without a championship from one of its big four teams, has brought the past month and into Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby on Monday night.

    The nation’s capital has suddenly gone from cursed to winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in the city’s history to Bryce Harper becoming the first player in franchise history (Washington Nationals or Montreal Expos) to take home the crown.

    Say what you want, but just a short while ago, D.C. sports fans wouldn’t allow themselves to get their hopes up that Harper, down nine home runs with a minute to go, would be able to make a comeback on the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber. But that is exactly what the Nationals outfielder did after hitting nine home runs in 26 swings during his first three minutes in the final round.

    In the final minute, nine of Harper’s 10 hits went yard, and he barely needed the extra 30 seconds he earned to end the affair, hitting the Derby winner on only his second swing. Harper held his bat over his head with both hands and flipped it forward before being mobbed by his National League teammates.

    Don’t worry, the pitcher — Harper’s father, Ron — didn’t take offense at his bat flip and gave his son a huge bear hug. When Harper was presented with the trophy, he immediately handed it over to his dad. Social media lit up seeing Ron Harper’s jacked arms, because clearly the man doesn’t miss arm day at the gym.

    Frankly, this moment should come as no surprise, considering Harper was winning competitions called “King of Swat” 14 years ago in Cooperstown, New York.

    And Harper winning the Home Run Derby may actually turn out to be amazing foreshadowing for the Nationals.

    Rhiannon Walker is an associate editor at The Undefeated. She is a drinker of Sassy Cow Creamery chocolate milk, an owner of an extensive Disney VHS collection, and she might have a heart attack if Frank Ocean doesn't drop his second album.