By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Remember when free agent superstar outfielder Bryce Harper, then of the Washington Nationals, engaged in a physical altercation in the dugout with then-teammate, former Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon?
Read: Phillies' Interest in Harper 'Lining Up' Like Thome Acquisition
Less than 24 hours removed from being eliminated in the 2015 postseason, Papelbon clearly was frustrated with Harper, who failed to hustle down the first-base line in the eighth inning of what would eventually be a 12-5 loss to the Phillies.
NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury said Saturday on SportsRadio 94 WIP that while there have been issues with Harper and his "showman's personality" — with the Papelbon dugout incident as an example — the six-time All-Star's talent is hard to ignore.
"From watching him all his career since he arrived at the big leagues at age 19, I think he's a guy that plays hard. He's a guy that hustles," Salisbury said. "He's had like one injury in his career, it was from hustling out a ball down the first-base line and hitting a wet bag awkwardly."
Salisbury said he believes winning "means a lot" to Harper, and when his career comes to an end, he thinks Harper would be "disappointed" if he does not have a couple of World Series rings.
"I like that. I think that's a really good quality," Salisbury said.
Read: Hoskins on Machado, Harper: Always 'Right Time' to Add 'Generational Player'
With positive qualities, come negative qualities. Ironically, Harper was involved in controversy for the very same reason as fellow Phillies free agent superstar target Manny Machado this past postseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Salisbury said he can draw comparisons between Harper and Alex Rodriguez, not so much the "mega contract" Rodriguez inked with the New York Yankees, but rather both of their "showman's personalities."
"There's been issues with [Harper]. When A-Rod was playing, I always got the feel it was always about A-Rod. I think [Harper] has a little bit of that in him, but he's just so talented," Salisbury said.
The annual Winter Meetings will take place Dec. 9-13 at Harper's hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. While Harper's personality may get the best of him sometimes, like the Papelbon incident, he more times than not plays the game the right way. That is all Philadelphia fans can ask for.
