"He apologized, I really don't care" - When Bryce Harper made honest admission about physical fight with ex-Nationals teammate

During a late September 2015 game, things got heated between Washington Nationals teammates Bryce Harper and Jonathan Papelbon. During a tie game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Harper jogged to first base after flying out to left field.

Papelbon took exception to Harper not running hard and was waiting for him at the top of the steps. Words were exchanged before the two went at it in the dugout and had to be separated.

This was not just your typical shouting and shoving match, things got physical between the two. However, both players apologized for their actions and Harper was not going to hold a grudge, via ESPN.

"He apologized, so whatever. I really don't care. ... It's like brothers fighting. That's what happens," said Harper.

Harper did not view the incident as anything other than two brothers fighting. This is the same sentiment that Papelbon echoed in his interview, letting the world know the altercation was not a big deal.

"I grew up with brothers, he grew up with brothers, I view him as a brother, and sometimes in this game, there's a lot of testosterone and things spill over" said Papelbon.

While the altercation looked bad, the two were quickly able to squash their beef. However, the team could not rally and save their season as they went on to miss the postseason later that year.

Jonathan Papelbon loves the player Bryce Harper has become

Former Washington Nationals - Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper (Photo via IMAGN)

The Nationals did not suspend Bryce Harper for his actions, but they did Jonathan Papelbon. He received a four-game suspension which he served immediately. Washington needed to punish somebody, and Papelbon understood.

Many players would hold a grudge over an incident like this, but there was no love lost in this fight. The two became closer than ever afterward, and Papelbon could not help but root for Harper and his success after retiring after the 2016 season.

"Absolutely no question about it, Harper has become the player our league needs and he knows it and cherishes it. Some may not believe this but I pull harder for him than any other player" said Papelbon.

Papelbon went as far as to say that Harper is the player that the game needs. That is putting him on quite the pedestal in a league that employs the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and many more superstars.