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Bryce Harper has Rob Manfred's blessing to lead baseball's fun revolution

NEW YORK — While it remains to be seen whether Donald Trump can turn “Make America Great Again” into a winning slogan for the presidency, Bryce Harper’s campaign to “Make Baseball Fun Again” picked up a major endorsement on Thursday.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, in a meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors at MLB headquarters, voiced his support for Harper, the reigning National League MVP, whose flamboyant style came under attack this spring from Hall of Famer Goose Gossage. Harper long has been a magnet for scrutiny, and has fired back not only with his Trumpian hat, but also by blasting a straight-laced culture that he said led to a “tired sport.