WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez enjoyed a special, surprise reunion while at spring training – with someone who had never met him before.
Prior to a spring training game against the New York Mets last year, Nationals fan Lauren Rupp enlisted Martinez and former Washington outfielder Bryce Harper to help tell her husband Will that he was going to be a father for the first time.
Almost one year later, Martinez had the opportunity to meet Lauren and Will’s son Logan in person for the first time.
“I like to see people happy, I really do,” Martinez said. “It was a big moment for them and it actually made my day to know that I made somebody else’s day as well.”
Lauren and Will – who live in Orlando, Fla. – were attending the Nationals-Mets matchup to celebrate their two-year wedding anniversary. Lauren, unbeknownst to her husband, had recently found out she was pregnant and wanted the news to be a surprise anniversary present for Will.
Knowing she wanted to find a special way to deliver the news, Lauren asked Martinez if Harper would be willing to help with the surprise. Both Martinez and Harper agreed and after signing an autograph, Harper handed Will an ultrasound of Logan and offered his congratulations.
Will – who is a big fan of Harper – was beside himself with joy once he realized what was happening.
“It was amazing,” Will said. “I don’t think I could ask for anything better than how it happened and how it all initially turned out in the end.”
Logan was born on August 24, 2018 and paid a surprise visit to Martinez with his parents during his first spring training, nearly one year after Washington’s manager helped deliver the legendary anniversary gift.
While Martinez was present for the reunion, Harper was not. The 26-year-old had entered free agency after the 2018 season and was busy fielding offers from various teams across the league. On February 28, he signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.