Ever since Bryce Harper signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019, fans had been anticipating the season — the one that wasn’t just elite, but top-of-the-league elite and, perhaps most importantly, recognized as such.
That recognition officially came on Thursday: Bryce Harper is your 2021 National League Most Valuable Player.
Harper edged out division rival and former Washington Nationals teammate Juan Soto for the coveted award:
Harper’s MVP credentials rested in his leading the National League — and all of Major League Baseball, at that — with a .615 slugging percentage, 1.