"I don’t care if you don’t like me, I don’t like you either" - When Bryce Harper hit back at backlash after controversial 'Where's my ring?' comment

Ahead of the 2015 season, Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper was eager to get the season started. Washington had just signed ace pitcher Max Scherzer to a deal that would give the club a top starting rotation.

While discussing the trade, Harper jokingly stated, "Where's my ring?" That comment did not sit well with the rest of the league. He received a ton of backlash for his remarks, from fans to opposing players.

However, Harper did not let those comments get to him. He did not become a professional baseball player to make friends. He did not care if you liked or hated him, he was on a mission, via Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci.

"I don't care. If you don't like me because I'm in the other dugout, so be it. I don't like you, either. We'll be friends off the field, but I want to kick your teeth in on the field no matter what," said Harper.

Harper believes people took his "Where's my ring" and blew it out of proportion. He only made it because he fully believed his team was the best after the Max Scherzer signing.

"If I say something it's because of the confidence I have in my team, not because I want to be in the media attention," said Harper.

Two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper had his hustle questioned later that year

Philadelphia Phillies - Bryce Harper (Photo via IMAGN)

Bryce Harper typically plays the game hard. He tends to leave it all on the field. He had this mindset in amateur baseball, and that did not change after he got his opportunity in the majors.

"I'd rather piss people off playing hard than piss people off playing soft" said Harper.

However, Harper would go on to frustrate a teammate with his lack of hustle later that season. In a September 2015 game against the Philadelphia Phillies, he and Jonathan Papelbon got into a heated scuffle in the dugout.

Papelbon was not pleased as Harper jogged to first after flying out. Papelbon then grabbed Harper by the throat and pushed him back up against the bench where teammates separated the two.

It was not something that loomed over the team, as the two said afterward that it was squashed. The two were certain nothing more would come of it, as it was just two people who viewed each other as brothers fighting.