How Juan Soto reacted to Bryce Harper winning MVP says everything

Juan Soto sent a sweet message to Bryce Harper after losing the NL MVP to him

Juan Soto isn’t the National League MVP this year, but he’s a class act.

After Bryce Harper won his second career NL MVP award, his former teammate-turned-division rival sent the Philadelphia Phillies star a sweet message on Instagram:

"“Congratulations to my former teammate @bryceharper3. Enjoy your second MVP, much love! Thank you for everything…I’ll see you next year!!!! 💯”"

Harper and Soto overlapped on the Nationals in Soto’s rookie season in 2018. Like Harper, who debuted with the Nats in 2012, Soto was only 19 years old in his first big-league season.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already a full decade into Harper’s MLB career. So far, he has a pair of Silver Sluggers, the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year, six All-Star games (and a Home Run Derby championship), and now, two MVP awards. He’s only the seventh player ever to win MVP awards for multiple franchises.

Just four years into his own superstar career, Soto isn’t far behind in the accolade category. He also has two Silver Slugger awards, as well as a batting title, and an All-Star game under his belt. He also already has something Harper does not: a World Series ring.

Harper and Soto each had stellar 2021 seasons on struggling teams. Harper led MLB in doubles, slugging, OPS, and OPS+; Soto led in walks and on-base percentage. They were the only players in the NL to take 100+ walks this year, and two of three players overall.

Many fans wanted Soto to win MVP this year, but Harper was just a bit better. Rest assured, Soto’s time is coming, and in the meantime, as Christopher Earle once said:

"“Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.”"