Harper, Williams have similar goals, but a rivaled past

As a kid growing up in Las Vegas, Bryce Harper knew about Matt Williams' All-Star baseball career. But Harper had reasons not to follow it too closely.

Apparently, in-state rivalries never die in Nevada. Harper grew up in southern Nevada and Williams was from the north.

"Being from Las Vegas, you hated the schools up north,'' Harper said. "It's a rivalry. You don't really like those teams up north. Las Vegas didn't like Reno.''

Williams can relate because he said northern schools played southern schools for state championships. "There's a rivalry,'' Williams said.

These days, Harper, one of 37 Nevada-born players in baseball history, and Williams, who moved to Nevada, the 35th most-populous state, at age 11, are on the same side with the same goal: They're trying to ignite a World Series championship celebration in Washington for the first time since 1924.

And, if that happens, it would put a smile on the face of another famous Washingtonian from Nevada, Senator Harry Reid, the Democrat's minority leader.

Reid grew up in Search Light, population 539, and a fan of the 1948 Cleveland Indians. To this day, he can still recite their lineup.

When Harper came to Washington for the first time, Reid reached out to offer help. Reid has an autographed Harper bat in his office and joked that the only thing he and his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, can agree on is cheering for the Nationals to win the World Series..

And, Williams appreciates the Nevada bond with Reid: "I've known him for a long time. He's a big support of Bryce. He takes great pride in us being from Nevada.''

Williams and Harper are in their second season together. Last season, the public perception was that there was tension in their relationship. In April, Williams benched Harper for not hustling. He also moved him down in the order. Then, when Harper returned from 57 days on the DL with a thumb injury, he questioned Williams' lineup.

But all that stuff was blown out of proportion and is history, they say. The Nevada boys meet daily to talk hitting strategies. Harper gives Williams credit for helping him develop better rhythm and a calmer approach. Williams says he has Harper's back.

This year, Harper says it is "unbelievable'' to talk to Williams daily about hitting and make plans and keep the game simple. "He's helped me tremendously,'' Harper said.

Williams says Harper is making the steps he needs to make and that he is more patient at the plate: "We're seeing the benefits. If he swings at strikes, there is no ceiling.''

Harper is one of a handful of players who were born in Las Vegas, including former Oakland Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito and Marty Cordova, former AL Rookie of the Year with Minnesota. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux went to high school in Las Vegas. Harper played in youth leagues with Texas prospect Joey Gallo and in high school with Kris Bryant, the Cubs' on-the-rise third baseman.

They never talked much among themselves as far as achieving a dream and playing in the majors. "We just enjoyed playing,'' Harper says.

Harper, at age 22, is the Nationals' most recognizable name and plays with the same buzzing non-stop energy that makes his hometown famous. He's healthy and could be on his way to becoming the NL MVP. He led all vote-getters for the All-Star Game.

He was born to have baseball success. At age 4, he was swinging plastic bats, ala Bam Bam of the Flintstones. At 13, he was swinging 20-pound rods of steal given to him by his dad, Ron, who played against Maddux in high school. Harper took an unprecedented route to the big leagues, leaving high school after his sophomore season to earn his GED so he could be drafted.

Harper's work ethic came from his dad, Ron, who was an ironworker and played against Maddux when the two were in high school. Harper remembers the long hours his dad put in to support his family.

"He'd wake up 2:30, 3 o'clock in the morning to get out there and work to support his family,'' Harper said. "He worked his tail off every single day. It'd be a 120 degrees, he'd come home, throw me batting practice and catch my bullpens.''

While Harper was from Las Vegas, Williams was from Carson City, 430 miles to the north. Carson City, with a population of 55,000, is the state capital and has been the backdrop of western movies made by John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. The inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris, was from Carson City and Mark Twain spent time there as a reporter covering the state legislature.

When Williams played for the Carson City Senators in high school, he was a football quarterback and a hitter who slammed home runs into an auto shop 100 feet beyond the center field fence.

He was known as the Carson City Crusher. The nearest team was the Oakland Athletics, but Williams enjoyed playing baseball more than watching. After high school, Williams thought about going to Stanford, USC and Oklahoma, but he played at UNLV in Vegas, getting to know the coaching staff when they came to umpire his high school games.

Williams' dad was a carpenter and his mom was a cop, the first female deputy in the county. Their work ethic, which helped him hit 378 home runs and play in three World Series, including in 2001 when he helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the title, inspires in the Nationals' clubhouse.

His parents taught him to work hard every day and understand that things don't always go well. "They showed up for work and gave it their best,'' Williams says. "The greatest lesson I learned from my parents is there is no substitute for hard work.''

And, of course, even though he's 17 years older, Williams knew of the kid named Bryce Harper. He heard about his exploits and then read about him when he made the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 16.

Williams can't imagine the expectations of being on the cover SI and "You are the next coming.''

Those expectations for Harper started in the Nevada and now they have moved to D.C.