NL MVP: Harper ‘very ecstatic’ to be chosen

WASHINGTON— Nothing about Bryce Harper’s baseball career has been routine. After years of surpassing older opponents, he left Las Vegas High School after his sophomore year, earned his GED and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada so that he could be eligible for the 2010 draft, where he was the first overall pick at age 17. In 2012, Harper powered the Washington Nationals to their first playoff berth and earned National League rookie of the year honours. He was 19.

That rapid trajectory was slowed by injury-shortened seasons in 2013 and 2014. Finally fully healthy for a complete season in 2015, Harper matured into a complete player, blazing yet another new path to a record-setting season — becoming the unanimous winner of the National League most valuable player award.

In balloting done before the start of the playoffs and announced Thursday night, the Washington Nationals outfielder beat out fellow finalists Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds, both first basemen.

“I’m very ecstatic and very happy,” Harper said after the announcement. “I can’t thank my teammates and family and everyone that has been a part of it. . . . Staying healthy this year was something I wanted to do all year long.” The Washington Post