'It's chickens---': Nats GM fires back after anonymous exec rips Harper

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo jumped to the defense of Bryce Harper on Tuesday after an anonymous National League executive called the 25-year-old outfielder "overrated" and "a selfish, losing player."

"I think it's just totally unfair on so many levels," Rizzo told Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. "First of all, the premise is entirely wrong. Bryce Harper is a winner. He’s been a winner his whole life. He's been a Rookie of the Year, five-time All-Star, an MVP. He's won more games since he’s been called up to the big leagues than any player in the major leagues.

"So how is that a loser? This guy has done nothing but been a tremendous advocate for the Washington Nationals - between the lines, in the dugout, in the clubhouse, and in the community. His charitable endeavors and his philanthropic efforts have been second-to-none. Two fields in Washington D.C. with his name on it, for the kids. So he's as far from a loser as you can possibly get. He's a champion. He's a winner. Always has been. Always will be. And these anonymous quotes from these unnamed sources like a National League executive, it's cowardly, it's chickenshit, and it’s gutless."

Earlier on Tuesday, in a series of text messages to Robert Murray of FanRag Sports, the anonymous executive also said that Harper, an impending free agent, "cares about himself more than the team," adding that "if I was in charge and had money, my team would not pursue him."

Rizzo, who plucked Harper with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, said that the individual who made those remarks about his longtime franchise cornerstone should be held accountable.

"For another team’s executive - if it happened, if it was said - if another team’s executive to lambaste a player and denigrate this player’s ability level, his character, and his integrity, and not have the balls to put his name on it is cowardly and chickenshit," Rizzo said. "And he should be exposed for it."