"Bryce Harper hated media" - NFL insider Dianna Russini reflects on unique relationship with 2x MVP, calls Phillies 1B her hands-down favorite athlete

Bryce Harper is one of the most respected guys in the MLB; not just by players and the staff but even the media are fond of the 2x MVP. Sports journalist Dianna Russini claimed that even though he hated interacting with the media, he never turned her down for any work, giving ample respect to her profession.

Russini's time in Washington D.C. as the lead anchor for NBC's WRC-TV coincided with Harper's rise as one of the best position players in the league and the face of the Washington Nationals. During his seven seasons with the club, Harper was a 6x All-Star selection and won the National League MVP with the club in 2015. Quite understandably, he received widespread media attention.

On the Diggin' Deep Podcast, Russini explained how all media personnel's relationships with the players become particularly important. She remembered her time in D.C. explaining how Harper was always cordial with her.

"The only player to this day I love and admire is Bryce Harper, because he's the only player who understood what I was doing and I wasn't trying to hurt, I was just trying to tell a better story.

"He was anti-media, he hated the media ... but he had a very incredible quality to filter people ... He's hands down my favorite athlete," Russini said.

Bryce Harper needs to break out of slump for Phillies' continued success in 2024

Bryce Harper owned the opposition during May and June, earning two National League Player of the Month awards. But since then, he has had it tough to get by at the plate. The Phillies slugger managed an incredibly low .149 batting average in July from 18 games.

Even though his performance in August has been considerably better, Harper has recorded just seven RBIs for the team while his OPS is at .763. The Phillies have lost some ground in the NL East as the Braves and Mets are within 7.5 games of the lead. They would hope for Harper to start firing again so their postseason run becomes easier.