Bryce Harper to receive Musial Award for 'first-class move' after being hit in face by Cardinals pitcher

Bryce Harper, Cardinals
Photo credit (Getty Images)

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Philadelphia Phillies superstar outfielder Bryce Harper is set to receive an award for one of the greatest moments of sportsmanship seen this year. He'll be honored with a Musial Award in St. Louis next month, as part of what's known as the most inspiring night in sports.

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On April 28, Harper was at the plate facing St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Genesis Cabrera and was struck in the face by a 97 mph fastball. It forced him to exit the game and things really could have escalated from there.

But after being checked out at the hospital and sending a message to Phillies fans, he also reached out to the young pitcher. According to then-Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, Harper had sent a message to Cabrera telling him that he knew the pitch was unintentional and that he'd be welcome to talk to him about it any time so there would be no animosity between them.

"You want to talk about a first-class move,” Shildt said. "Whoever is a fan of Bryce Harper, or whoever has children that are fans of Bryce Harper, support that guy because what he sent over in a message today was completely a class act. He had empathy for the guy that hit him, so a lot of respect for Bryce Harper and a lot of respect for the kind of player he is, but even more respect now for the way he handled a tough situation.”

For his actions, Harper is one of this year's recipients of a Musial Award – named after Hall of Famer and Cardinals legend Stan Musial.

The annual show takes place in downtown St. Louis on Nov. 20. It will be recorded and then air throughout the country as a one-hour special on CBS at 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT on Christmas Day.

Other honorees this year include Wayne and Janet Gretzky who are being awarded the 2021 Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship; Zaila Avant-garde, winner of this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee, will receive the 2021 Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character; an Iowa high school football player who helped opponent with his leg cramp while on the field; Buffalo Bills fans who organized a massive donation in honor of an opposing team's QB being injured; and more.

Read more about the award show and honorees here.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: (Getty Images)