Bryce Harper and Having an MVP Early
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 3:08 pm
I was just in a spirited baseball conversation.
The subject was Bryce Harper. The fellow I was talking with LOVES Bryce Harper.
In two words and one contraction, I don't.
Not one to ease his feelings, I told him that I believed that Harper was the most overrated player in baseball.
That he reminded me of Gregg Jefferies, in that he was supposed to rule the baseball world, but......no.
My friend argued about how young Harper was and that he was still learning.
"So what?", I responded, "I'm over 60 and I'm still learning!" "How much time is learning and how much time is doing?"
He argued that he is one of the best players in the game and still young enough to get better.
"How much time does it take to get better?", I asked.
Harper is young, but old in baseball years. This is his seventh year.
I offered that Harper has had one superstar year in seven. The year he won the MVP in 2015.
"WHAT A YEAR!", replied my now adversary, not friend.
"To have an MVP year under your belt in what is now his age 26 year, is something few players can brag about!", he crowed.
I let him know that Harper has only hit over 30 homers once, only scored 100 runs once, and has never, ever driven home 100 runs.
I scrunched up my face and asked him, "Aren't superstar power hitters supposed to drive home 100 runs EVERY year?"
Undeterred, he responded that under the bright lights, whether it is playoffs or a home run derby, Harper always comes through.
"Great", I said, "So when bored with the regular season, he has found his 'off button' ".
He queried, "Who would you rather have for the next five years, Harper in his 26-30 years or JD Martinez in his age 30-34 years.
As a contrarian, I answered Martinez. And the more I thought about it, Martinez IS my answer.
I think of Harper as being an inconsistent player. When interested, as in a new contract year to impress, he may be all that. The rest of the year's, who knows.
I picture JD Martinez as a slugging lug who doesn't really change in his 30's. Much like Nellie Cruz or Edwin Encarnacion, he'll continue swinging a more consistent power bat.
We left the argument as any two men would, each thinking the other was full of shit.
That back and forth made me think about something though.
Is it really unusual for a player to be under 26 and have an MVP Award on the mantel at home?
Hmm.
Upon further review, no it is not.
And it is not just a generational thing either. It has been happening since the 30's.
Jimmie Foxx was an MVP twice before his age 26 year.
Mickey Mantle turned the trick twice in the 50's.
Heck, Zoilo Versalles was an MVP before 26. Most of you just went, "Who?"
So was Vida Blue and Jeff Burroughs in the 70's.
Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds represent the 'PEDS for me' movement.
Bonds getting his MVP before learning that syringes could be used for something other than vaccinations.
Albert Pujols, Justin Morneau, and Dustin Pedroia have done it.
Not to mention the player Harper WAS compared with at an early age.
Mike Trout has won the MVP twice before 26.
The latest to do it was Kris Bryant.
It has been done 39 times in all.
By some special players and some not-so special players.
The subject was Bryce Harper. The fellow I was talking with LOVES Bryce Harper.
In two words and one contraction, I don't.
Not one to ease his feelings, I told him that I believed that Harper was the most overrated player in baseball.
That he reminded me of Gregg Jefferies, in that he was supposed to rule the baseball world, but......no.
My friend argued about how young Harper was and that he was still learning.
"So what?", I responded, "I'm over 60 and I'm still learning!" "How much time is learning and how much time is doing?"
He argued that he is one of the best players in the game and still young enough to get better.
"How much time does it take to get better?", I asked.
Harper is young, but old in baseball years. This is his seventh year.
I offered that Harper has had one superstar year in seven. The year he won the MVP in 2015.
"WHAT A YEAR!", replied my now adversary, not friend.
"To have an MVP year under your belt in what is now his age 26 year, is something few players can brag about!", he crowed.
I let him know that Harper has only hit over 30 homers once, only scored 100 runs once, and has never, ever driven home 100 runs.
I scrunched up my face and asked him, "Aren't superstar power hitters supposed to drive home 100 runs EVERY year?"
Undeterred, he responded that under the bright lights, whether it is playoffs or a home run derby, Harper always comes through.
"Great", I said, "So when bored with the regular season, he has found his 'off button' ".
He queried, "Who would you rather have for the next five years, Harper in his 26-30 years or JD Martinez in his age 30-34 years.
As a contrarian, I answered Martinez. And the more I thought about it, Martinez IS my answer.
I think of Harper as being an inconsistent player. When interested, as in a new contract year to impress, he may be all that. The rest of the year's, who knows.
I picture JD Martinez as a slugging lug who doesn't really change in his 30's. Much like Nellie Cruz or Edwin Encarnacion, he'll continue swinging a more consistent power bat.
We left the argument as any two men would, each thinking the other was full of shit.
That back and forth made me think about something though.
Is it really unusual for a player to be under 26 and have an MVP Award on the mantel at home?
Hmm.
Upon further review, no it is not.
And it is not just a generational thing either. It has been happening since the 30's.
Jimmie Foxx was an MVP twice before his age 26 year.
Mickey Mantle turned the trick twice in the 50's.
Heck, Zoilo Versalles was an MVP before 26. Most of you just went, "Who?"
So was Vida Blue and Jeff Burroughs in the 70's.
Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds represent the 'PEDS for me' movement.
Bonds getting his MVP before learning that syringes could be used for something other than vaccinations.
Albert Pujols, Justin Morneau, and Dustin Pedroia have done it.
Not to mention the player Harper WAS compared with at an early age.
Mike Trout has won the MVP twice before 26.
The latest to do it was Kris Bryant.
It has been done 39 times in all.
By some special players and some not-so special players.