WASHINGTON — Most people can agree, Monday night’s Home Run Derby was one of the most exciting and memorable events in recent All-Star Game history. Unless, of course, you’re a Chicago Cubs fan.
While most people who watched were fawning over the last-second drama (a phrase not normally associated with baseball), Cubs fans saw a conspiracy.
So r we just ignoring the fact the Bryce Harper & his dad cheated & did not follow the rules of the #HomeRunDerby ? The previous hit ball must hit the ground before the next ball can be thrown to the batter. Harper needs 4 Home Runs taken away, video evidence. #Justice4Schwarber pic.twitter.com/u0B5FPAlfV
— Franchise 🤘KLiQ🤘 (@FranchiseKicks) July 17, 2018
The “cheating” here is referring to the rule that calls for pitchers to wait until the ball lands before they throw their next pitch.
The definition of “heating up.” pic.twitter.com/WnENFT7wel
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 17, 2018
If you take a look at the video, it does seem like some of those last pitches to Harper were coming in a little fast and maybe the last ball hadn’t totally landed quite yet.
Anybody else think Harper cheated during the last minute of the derby? Clearly didn’t wait for the ball to come down @MLB
— Corben White (@CWhite_03) July 17, 2018
On Twitter, a social media platform that is usually reserved for high-minded, philosophical debate, the video is getting the same level of scrutiny that conspiracy theorists give to the Zapruder film.
@MLB Harper cheated. If you are going to change the rules every year at least enforce them. They didn’t wait for the last ball to land.
— Joseph Cordova (@IndigoJoe47) July 17, 2018
Cubs fans, it appears, are one of few groups of people who think that baseball just moves too darn fast.
Schwarbs got cheated so bad haha none of those balls Harper hit landed before the others were thrown
— gavin halsey (@halsey_gavin) July 17, 2018
But you know who didn’t see a conspiracy? Kyle friggin’ Schwarber!
What a show by @Bharper3407! @Nationals Park was rockin! Ran out of gas at the end but hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! Thank you for the opportunity and see you in Chicago!
— Kyle Schwarber (@kschwarb12) July 17, 2018
You would think that Schwarber admitting he ran out of gas and praising Harper would put some degree of cold water on this “conspiracy,” but nope.
🗣 HARPER CHEATED HIS WAY TO WINNING THE HOME RUN DERBY. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BALL TO LAND TO THROW THE PITCH. THIS ISNT A DEBATE, THIS IS A FACT. pic.twitter.com/hxmlR5Xwpg
— Anna B. (@abrunetweets) July 17, 2018
This would be a good time point out that the Home Run Derby doesn’t really matter and is designed to be fun and entertaining.
My absolute favorite thing in the world right now is Cubs fan home run derby truthers who believe the Harpers were cheating pic.twitter.com/F7QEvPt5pj
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) July 17, 2018
Stop. Just stop it. “Home run derby truthers” should NOT be allowed to enter the lexicon. In fact, at the end of the season, how many people will even remember who won the Home Run Derby?
