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Tweet-free Harper still draws crowd

Baseball phenom Bryce Harper is adding followers the old-fashioned way – without Twitter.

Either Harper or the Washington Nationals’ front office decided his fast track to the big leagues would be a smoother ride without the potential pitfalls of Twitter.

“He had Twitter accounts, but he killed them right at spring training,” said Rob Miech, who spent a year with the teen prodigy from Henderson to write the book “The Last Natural.”

“He had 20,000 followers in no time. But spring training came around, and he shut ’em down,” said Miech, a former sportswriter with the Las Vegas Sun.

“I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I would imagine (manager) Davey Johnson and brass would say, ‘Just focus on baseball, son.’ ”

Based on the results, who can argue with the tweet-free approach? After five games in the majors, and a .385 batting average (5-for-13), Johnson promoted the 19-year-old outfielder to third in the batting order Thursday. He responded with an RBI double in the sixth to give Washington a 2-1 win over Arizona.

Harper’s first hit was a double over the head of Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp on Saturday. The No. 1 overall draft pick of 2010 went 3-for-4 with two doubles in Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

‘PAWN STARS’ LAWSUIT

A 62-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran is suing the “Pawn Stars” for negligence, alleging he was injured while being thrown out of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in October.

In a lawsuit filed in District Court here last week, Daniel Callahan alleges he was put in a chokehold and tossed onto the sidewalk after an argument.

Callahan alleges that he required medical treatment and that his cane and a Model 96B rifle were damaged when thrown on the sidewalk.

The lawsuit, first reported by RightThisMinute.com, contends the owners, reality show stars Richard Harrison and son Rick, failed to provide “reasonable and necessary” security.

A “Pawn Stars” rep said there would be no comment “due to pending litigation.”

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Former NFL All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau made many Las Vegas friends over the years. He was a regular participant in Warren Moon’s charity bowling tournament in recent years. Tony Cordasco, the local nightlife marketing manager for Red Bull, tweeted on Wednesday, “Seems like yesterday when we were hanging out. Junior and friends passing the ukulele around after a long night at Caesars. #RIPJrSeau.” …

“An Evening with Dave Rice,” an inaugural benefit for a foundation established by UNLV’s head basketball coach, is being held tonight at the Palms. The Dave Rice Foundation is dedicated to educating and supporting health initiatives concerning autism and other developmental disorders. UNLV basketball standout Stacey Augmon will be honorary chairman. A VIP reception starts at 6:30 p.m. For ticket information, call Burt Trembly at (702) 586-4180 or email him at
Burt@DaveRiceFoundation.org.

SIGHTINGS

Oscar De La Hoya, at Carlos Santana’s opening night show Wednesday at House of Blues Las Vegas. … “America’s Got Talent” host Jerry Springer, having breakfast Wednesday at Nathan’s Famous (Bally’s). … Twelve contestants from NBC’s “Escape Routes,” flying between New York-New York and Monte Carlo on Tuesday on a nearly 1,000-foot zip line that started at a height of more than 400 feet. It was shot for the series finale, at 8 p.m. Saturday.

THE PUNCH LINE

“A lady got arrested for bringing her 5-year-old to a tanning salon. Guess what state she is from – New Jersey. Is that a crime in New Jersey? In New Jersey, I think they call that day care.” – Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.

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