Nationals rookie outfielder Bryce Harper and his father, Ron, at the ballpark at Las Vegas High School, where Harper set records. The Nats drafted him with the first overall pick last year.
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"People say Bryce is an old-school player," Ron says. "You're damn right, he is. He'd better be. ... Because there's nothing wrong with a little hard work. Blue-collar attitude. Strap it on, and let's go. That's the way I am, and that's the way I raised my kids to be."
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Harper works on fundamental drills as an outfielder in the instructional league last fall in Viera, Fla. Harper left Las Vegas High School after his sophomore year, got his GED and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada to move up his eligibility for the Major League Baseball draft.
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Harper loosens up before batting practice in Viera, Fla. He has hit 500-foot home runs and was hailed as "Baseball's Chosen One" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 16.
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Harper, meeting fans last fall in Scottsdale, Ariz., relishes the public component of stardom. "I think it's fun being in the newspaper. I love talking to the media. It's a blast," Harper says. "I love people knowing where I came from and what I'm about."
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Ron Harper with the piece of rebar Bryce would use to practice swings at home in Las Vegas.
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Bryce Harper in a Las Vegas gym.
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Harper wipes away sweat during an early morning workout. "I want to be the best," Harper says. "I want to be perfect in every aspect of the game."
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Harper picks up an empty bowl of cereal from the floorboard of his work truck after a morning workout in Las Vegas. At 18, Harper straddles childhood and adulthood.
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Harper helps with the dishes in his family's Las Vegas home.
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Harper with his mother, Sheri. "I'm going to miss him like heck," she says of her son leaving home. But she's not worried: "It starts with love in the home," she says. Give them that, "and they will respect you and be honorable. They will not purposely disgrace the name on their back."
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Harper's Little League batting helmet. He "played up" for most of his childhood: When he was 3, he was good enough to play on his brother's T-ball team, for 5- and 6-year-olds. By age 9, Harper was being recruited for "travel ball" teams.
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Harper has a Bible verse imprinted on his bats instead of his name.
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Las Vegas High School coach Sam Thomas lets Harper work out with his old team. "Bryce knows one way to play, and that's, 'I'm going to go as hard as I can all the time,' " Thomas says.
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Harper works out with his friends from Las Vegas High. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound prodigy, who would be a senior now if he had stayed in high school, signed a $9.9 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
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![Harper works out with his old team from Las Vegas High. "[Leaving] was the best thing he could've done," high school coach Sam Thomas says. "He was like a guy ready for his master's degree in a fifth-grade classroom."](http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/110310/GAL-11Mar10-7528/media/PHO-11Mar10-296097.jpg)
Harper works out with his old team from Las Vegas High. "[Leaving] was the best thing he could've done," high school coach Sam Thomas says. "He was like a guy ready for his master's degree in a fifth-grade classroom."
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Harper, left, with best friend and former high school teammate Tanner Chauncey. "He's real humble -- a lot of people don't get that about him," Chauncey says. But he also says Harper has often told him, "I want to be the best player ever to play the game."
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Harper with Las Vegas High outfielders coach Clint Huggins. Harper grew up playing catcher but can play most any position; the Nationals will make him a right fielder.
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Battered baseballs fall to the ground as Harper practices at Las Vegas High.
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Harper has a laugh during a workout with his old high school team.
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Members of the Las Vegas High team watch Harper at batting practice.
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Harper's baseball heroes include Pete Rose and Ty Cobb. "I'm a real mean person on the field," Harper says. "I play the game hard, real hard. I respect everyone on the field. But if you're on the other team, even if we're buddies, I hate you. I'm trying to beat you. I'm going to knock your teeth out. I'm trying to win."
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Harper douses his face with water after his first workout of spring training in Viera, Fla. Instead of his new Mercedes, Harper brought his work truck to spring training. "That's my work truck," Harper says. "I want everyone to know I'm there for work."
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
Fans mob Harper during spring training.
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"I love the game of baseball," Harper says. "I'm getting chills right now about it. I absolutely love the game of baseball. If you took it away from me, I'd die tomorrow. Seriously. I'd want to kill myself. I absolutely love the game of baseball."
Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post
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