Pete Rose breaks down the biggest difference between him and Bryce Harper

Many analysts have compared Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper to MLB legend Pete Rose, but Rose notes a distinction between his and Harper's playing styles.

"He plays hard, man. He plays different now than he used to," Rose said, per the Washington Post. "The first couple years he played, he played like I did. The only difference between him and me, he not only played hard, he played recklessly. You can't play reckless."

Harper has since harnessed his hazardous play, and has quickly grown into a more mature player in the four years he's been in MLB.

"Bryce understands you can't help the team being on the disabled list," Rose added. "Those walls aren't going to give. I understand that. Growing up in Vegas, he was a catcher. You don't get many fly balls being a catcher. He had to learn how to play the outfield, and he really worked hard at it, from what I understand. He's really becoming a good outfielder. He's got a good arm."

Rose hopes to get a chance to deliver those compliments directly to Harper this week, as MLB's hit king has never formally met the player everyone has compared to him.

(h/t Washington Post)