Week 3: Bryce Harper

There are many reasons Bryce Harper won the title of my MLBoyfriend in the third week of play. Three of them are home runs. On Wednesday, April 19, he hit two against Atlanta's ace pitcher Julio Teheran. The second of those was a grand slam. Then, on Friday, April 21, Harper hit a dinger off a pitch by Matt Harvey of the Mets--a pitcher Harper had had 30 at bats against with only hit and zero home runs to show for it.

It wasn't just home runs. Harper was hitting everything last week. His batting average was an insane .550 and an OPS of 1.867. He scored ten runs, the most of any player last week, and had seven RBIs. Of course the center piece of this week was the aforementioned two-home-run game against Atlanta. Harper went four for four in that game making it possibly the best game of his career. (He also played some very good defense in that game.) Being Bryce Harper, he also managed to look pretty good doing all that base running.

Of course, no Bryce Harper post would be complete without a picture of one of his famous celebratory hair flips. Fortunately, there's an excellent one from last week.

Bryce Harper

I hadn't really watched a Phillies game during the regular season. I managed to catch some of their postseason play, and it reminded me of a couple things about Bryce Harper: 1. he's very good at baseball, and 2. he's super fun to watch.

Harper is having a great run in the two series the Phillies have played and won this postseason. He has a .435 batting average and 1.437 OPS with 3 doubles, 3 home runs and 6 RBI in just six games. MLB was kind enough to put together a reel of Harper's highlights in the NLDS

Seeing him play last week also reminded me that, somehow, Harper manages to be extremely cocky....

...and a total goofball--often at the same time.

It just so happens that cocky and goofy are two traits I really appreciate in a baseball player. Harper also has other attributes that I like to see--as evidenced by his many appearances on this blog.

Speaking of Harper's assets, I would like to thank the person at Topps who is responsible for this card celebrating his performance in the NLDS.

Congratulations, Bryce Harper! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Also, HAPPY (one-day-belated) BIRTHDAY! It's nice to celebrate a fellow October baby during Libra Season.

Bryce Harper

Sometimes, you just have to go with an old favorite. Bryce Harper has already won the MLBoyfriend title five times. That seems like a lot of wins, but really, he's been one of the best players in baseball for the nine years this blog has been going.

Last week, Harper went 8 for 25 at the plate with 2 doubles and 3 home runs giving him a .320 average and 1.229 OPS. He scored 8 runs and batted in 9. He also had one stolen base.

Of course, all posts about Bryce Harper must contain one photo of his magnificent hair. Apparently, he is mentoring teammate Alex Bohm on the art of the flow.

Congratulations, Bryce Harper! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Bryce Harper

This year, I've been trying to feature new faces here. Sometimes, however, I can't help but give a shout out to an old favorite. Bryce Harper made it very easy to pick him this week.

Harper had 12 hits in 23 at-bats giving him an impressive .522 average. He scored 6 runs and had 10 RBI. He had 3 home runs including one inside-the-park which is always fun to watch.

No Bryce Harper post would be complete without some admiration of his flowing locks. Fortunately, his helmet came off as he was rounding the bases for his inside-the-park home run. So, there are lots of pictures of his glorious mane.

Congratulations, Bryce Harper! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Week 18: Bryce Harper

I can't believe it's been over four years since one of the inspirations for this blog, Bryce Harper, was named MLBoyfriend of the week. 

Harper had an excellent week last week going 9 for 17 at the plate for an astonishing .529 average and 1.704 OPS with 3 RBIs and scoring 6 runs. He only hit one home run, but it was a doozy--the first inside the park home run of his career.

Of course, Harper's batting helmet flew off in the process setting his glorious mane free. 

Congratulations, Bryce Harper! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Somewhat surprisingly, you are also the first player for the Philadelphia Phillies to win the honor. Nicely done.

Week 3: Bryce Harper

This week's pick was one of the reasons I started this blog. Bryce Harper has been one of my favorite players since his rookie year.

Then, last year, he really caught my attention with his appearance in ESPN Magazine's Body Issue.

After seeing the behind-the-scenes video of his photo shoot, the concept of MLBoyfriend was born.

2017 All-Stars

Lest you think this blog is a beauty contest, I'll have you know that eight of my fourteen 2017 MLBoyfriends were selected for this year's All-Star Game. That gives me a .571 win record which would be good enough to have the lead in four of the six divisions in the MLB right now.

And the 2017 All-Star MLBoyfriends are...

Week 1: Miguel Sano

Sano took 2nd place in the 2017 Home Run Derby.

Bonus picture: Sano with teammate, fellow All-Star and former MLBoyfriend, Santana.

Week 3: Bryce Harper

Harper and his wonderful hair are making their 5th All-Star Game appearance.

Week 5: Ryan Zimmerman

It's been a long and sometimes difficult 8 years since Zimmerman's only other All-Star Game.

Week 6: Buster Posey

Posey--the epitome of a C.Y.D.*--with his daughter at the 2016 All-Star Game.

Week 8: Erwin Santana

Santana is a rarity--the first Minnesota Twins starting pitcher at the All-Star Game in a decade.

Bonus picture: Santana with teammate, fellow All-Star and former MLBoyfriend, Sano.

Week 10: Aaron Judge

Judge wins the Home Run Derby in his rookie year.

Week 13: Joey Votto

Votto will soon be buying a donkey for teammate and fellow All-Star Zack Cozart--for real.

Week 14: George Springer

Springer & Carlos Correa, 2 of the 6(!) Astros--a franchise record--going to the All-Star Game.

Congratulations to all my All-Star MLBoyfriends!

PS: For what it's worth, eight of my 2016 MLBoyfriends were selected for the 2017 All-Star rosters. Congrats to Bryce Harper (again), Michael Conforto, Robinson Canó, Max Scherzer, Buster Posey (again), José Altuve, Yu Darvish, & Gary Sanchez!

*Cute Young Dad

Misters October

Fifteen of my MLBoyfriends made it into the postseason. This gives us a great opportunity to take another look at them.

Week 2: Eduardo Núñez, San Francisco Giants
The first entry on this list is bittersweet. I chose Eduardo Núñez as my MLBoyfriend when he was with the Minnesota Twins. As a Twin, he was the best player on a terrible team--but it's my hometown team and they have a special place in my heart. In July, he was traded to the Giants where he has been a very good player on a very good team. Even though he's not on San Francisco's wild card play-in game roster, the move definitely gave Núñez a shot at some postseason play.

Week 3: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Here's hoping Bryce Harper will be bringing his best hair game to the postseason.

Week 4: Michael Conforto, New York Mets
Michael Conforto's season has been a bit of a roller coaster, but his towards the end earned him a spot on the Mets playoff roster.

Week 6: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
Max Scherzer is the Nats' go-to starter--as witnessed by the fact that he will be pitching in their first game of the postseason.

Week 7: Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox
The fact that I chose Jackie Bradley Jr. as my MLBoyfriend despite my longstanding hatred of the Boston Red Sox is a testament to his talent. However, my personal good feelings towards him have a limit, and I hope not to see him on the field for very long in October. Of course, I'd be more than happy to see him elsewhere.

Week 8: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Congratulations, to Buster Posey for joining the 1,000 Hits Club on September 27th--and doing it in style with a home run.

Week 9: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
It's no surprise Madison Bumgarner is pitching in the Giants Wild Card play-in game against the Mets. His pitching has outstanding in October.

Week 12: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
Since I'm a posting after the playoffs have begun, we've already gotten to see Josh Donaldson perform in the postseason--and he was a key contributor to the Blue Jays 11th inning defeat of the Orioles.

Week 13: Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals
Another player with an inconsistent season at the plate, veteran Danny Espinosa comes into the postseason having just broken a cold streak--and is hoping to keep the hitting going in October.

Week 15: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Unfortunately, Jacob deGrom underwent surgery in September and will not be able to pitch for the Mets in the playoffs. We look forward to seeing his famous locks back on the mound in 2017.

Week 19: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Yu Darvish won the last game of the regular season in an impressive showing--a quality start with twelve strikeouts and giving up only one run in six innings. Unfortunately, I simply cannot route for his team, the hateful Texas Rangers. Sorry, Boo.

Week 20: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
It's been 112 years since the Cubs win a World Series--which is a really long time--but they are the favorites to win this year. Kris Bryant--a very strong candidate for the National League MVP--is a key player in the Cubs quest to break The Curse of the Billy Goat.

Week 23: Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Trea Turner inspired my favorite sports headline of the past week: Nobody puts baby-faced Trea Turner in a corner. Not anymore. Could he be the missing piece the Nationals needed to make it into their first World Series? Quite possibly.

Week 24: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Unfortunately, Baltimore is already eliminated, so we won't be seeing any more of Adam Jones in October. After the game, he showed his heart in calling out a Toronto fan who threw a full beer at fellow Oriole, Hyun Soo Kim, saying "That's as pathetic as it gets." He's a class act.

Week 25: Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus just had the best season of his career; however, I'm hoping his postseason is a repeat of last year (see Yu Darvish, above). While my hatred of the Rangers may be somewhat irrational, I also can't help still liking Elvis.

Thanks to all my MLBoyfriends for a great inaugural season of this blog. Congratulations to the fourteen who made it into the playoffs. Keep an eye out as I will be naming more MLBoyfriends as -the postseason progresses--culminating with my very own Mr. October.