Marcus Stroman calls Bryce Harper “a legend” after fan reveals interesting stat on Twitter
Bryce Harper is coming off an MVP season with the Philadelphia Phillies, but every great hitter has at least one pitcher they simply can’t figure out, and vice versa.
According to Twitter this week, Marcus Stroman and Josh Tomlin are those pitchers for Harper.
Stroman, who is one of the most active players on Twitter, came across the stat and took it as an opportunity to praise Harper.
Harper is a legend legend. I’m sure he’ll get me at some point. Respect his work ethic more than anyone else’s in the league. I love battling against one of the best players to ever play this game! https://t.co/f8M8DSHr0s
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) February 21, 2022
This isn’t the first time Stroman has shown love for Phillies players. Last fall, he called Harper “unreal.”
I agree. Harper is unreal. Never takes a night off. Superb defender as well who plays the game with an incredible edge. I can’t wait to see who the MVP is. I’m thankful I get to compete against them! https://t.co/M3YDdTiCaY
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) September 25, 2021
And remember this?
Steel cage baseball dad match.
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 17, 2018
Papa Harper vs. Papa Stroman. Who ya got?! pic.twitter.com/CNwKtipyFP
Stroman also campaigned for Zack Wheeler to win the NL Cy Young, despite them being on rival NL East teams at the time. The two overlapped on the Mets a few years back, before Wheeler signed with the Phillies.
Just my personal opinion. Wheeler for CY! https://t.co/0XKEqEgmbg
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) September 30, 2021
This is why I personally picked Wheeler for the CY! Burnes and Scherzer more than deserving as well! https://t.co/DRZde75fQC
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) September 30, 2021
With all this love for Phillies players, it’s a shame Stroman isn’t one himself. After a stellar 2021 campaign, he signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. While this benefits Phillies batters, who will face him less now that he’s out of the division, it’s a shame that he didn’t join the rotation.
Over his last two seasons (he opted out of the 2020 season), Stroman posted a 3.12 ERA over 65 starts. He’s been excellent over the majority of his seven-year career, winning a Gold Glove in 2017, and going to the All-Star Game in 2019. He’s quietly one of the most dominant pitchers in the entire game and seems to only get better each year.
The Phillies’ top priorities this offseason (lockout excluded) have been the bullpen and outfield, but the starting rotation remains seriously unbalanced. Signing Stroman would have been a serious upgrade.
And, Harper would remain hitless against him.