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Bryce Harper and Juan Soto are similar in more ways than you may think. They were both fairly young when they made their major-league debuts, they each were 19 years old and they each were rookie phenoms who took the MLB world by storm. 

Now, being a professional athlete already comes with a great deal of pressure but just imagine having to navigate the big leagues as a teenager. 

On the latest episode of Barstool Sports’ Starting 9 podcast Monday, Harper made an appearance and recalled the day when he met his former teammate Juan Soto. 

“The first day he came up to me I talked to him, gave him a hug said congrats, welcome to the big leagues,” Harper said. 

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Harper also shared a genuine message to the young hitter, “Be yourself, that’s all I want you to do.”

Harper remembers how difficult it was being a teenager in MLB and wanted to share advice from his personal experience. 

“When I play with guys, I want to get to know them on a personal level like I want to get to know them as players as individuals. I want them to know I have their back day in and day out, I want them to know that they can come to me with anything like if it's off the field on the field...I want that relationship with them.” 

Harper went on to explain how he respects Soto's confidence and authenticity especially when it comes to Soto's infamous between-pitch routine, known as 'The Soto Shuffle.'

"I want them to be themselves 24/7 because if their not you're changing them."

Stay connected to the Capitals and Wizards with the MyTeams app. Click here to download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.

MORE NATIONALS NEWS:

• No Blame: Harper fine with 2018 Astros' trade rumor
• MLB proposal: Weighing potential return
• Zim's chase to 300: Can he still do it?

Mother’s day is right around the corner, so what better way to celebrate than by recognizing some of the amazing women in the sports world.

NBC Sports will present “On Her Turf: Inspiring Greatness” on Sunday, May 10, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. 

The special will highlight dope athletes that have changed the game over the last 20 years.

Serena Williams, Allyson Felix and Alex Morgan are just a few of the women who will be featured in the three-hour special. Not only are each of these women championship mothers but they also each have held their own in the sports realm.   

The broadcast will spotlight Simone Biles’ gold medal-winning performance at the Rio Olympics, Serena Williams and Venus Williams competing together for the 1999 French Open women’s doubles title and against each other in the women’s singles final at the 2002 French Open; track and field star, Tatyana McFadden with inspiring performances at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and the Boston Marathon in 2018; and golfer Michelle Wie West with a win at the 2014 LPGA Lotte Championship.

Fans will be able to hear from 12-time Olympic swimming medalist Dara Torres, alpine skiing Olympic gold medalist  Lindsey Vonn, race car driver Hailie Deegan, and many more. 

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in. 

What: On Her Turf: Inspiring Greatness

When: Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: NBCSN and on the NBC Sports app

The special will be hosted by Kathryn Tappen and Rebecca Lowe. 

Leading up to the special program, Allyson Felix, Mikaela Shiffrin and Hilary Knight will be going live on the On Her Turf Instagram account to tease what fans can expect during the show. Mikaela will be live with Rebecca Lowe at 3 p.m. ET, Hilary will be live with Kathryn Tappen at 5:30 p.m. ET, and Allyson will be live at 7 p.m. ET. 

This is something you don’t want to miss. 

In need of something to do on Saturday? No worries Week 2 of The NHL Player Gaming Challenge is here and one of D.C.'s stars will be representing the Capitals. 

Evgeny Kuznetsov will face off against Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau in a best-of-three series on Thursday, May 7th at 5 p.m. ET.

Earlier this month the Caps forward got some practice when he played against World Championship gamer John “JohnWayne” Casagranda in NHL 20 on the Caps Gaming Twitch stream. Now that’s he’s all warmed up we’re confident he’s ready to compete. 

Here’s everything you need to know to catch the action. 

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What: Evgeny Kuznetsov will compete in the NHL Player Gaming Challenge 

Where: Capitals Twitch Channel, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Premiere and NHL.com.

When: Thursday, May 7th, at 5 p.m. ET 

The NHL and EA SPORTS plan to donate a combined $100,000 in support of the CDC Foundation’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

Click here to read more about the NHL Player Gaming Challenge.

Stay connected to the Capitals and Wizards with the MyTeams app. Click here to download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.

MORE CAPITALS NEWS:

• Everyone wins: Gretzky, Ovi tie in showcase
• Kuzy represents: NHL Player Gaming Challenge 
• A push forward: NHL pitching to move draft up