Bryce Harper gets emotional thanking his parents during MVP speech
Bryce Harper looks tough as nails on the diamond but he revealed a different side of himself during his MVP acceptance speech Saturday night.
The Washington Nationals star fought back tears when he thanked his parents for all their help getting him to the pinnacle of baseball.
First up was his father.
"First, he sacrificed everything to help me. Countless hours of BP, ground balls, bruises on my shins from my brother, not me -- I was perfect. Just kidding," Harper said. "The thing I love most, though, on the hot summer days we'd always get Slurpees and Funyuns after, no matter what. That or strawberry shakes. He always made it fun no matter what.
"What has always stayed with me, if he could get up at 3 a.m., blazing heat, freezing cold, to provide for my family, then I would do anything in this world to thank him every single day. I would do anything in this world to tell him how much I love him every single day. I appreciate you, pops."
And what son wouldn't get emotional thanking his mom?
"Mama, you showed me how to have heart, how to care. How to be the best person off the field. She keeps this family going, and strong and always reiterates 'remember who you are' every time I walk out the door. She sacrificed so much and I can't thank her enough."