Youth team surprises Harper with MVP cleats

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies fans know that Bryce Harper puts serious thought into his spikes. Take a look at his Phillie Phanatic-themed footwear the past three Opening Days, if you don’t know.

But some kids from the North Camden (N.J.) Pirates Youth Baseball Organization freed up Harper to focus on other things when they commemorated Harper’s 2021 National League MVP Award by designing a custom pair of Under Armour Harper 6 cleats. The North Camden Pirates organization was robbed in 2019, putting their season in jeopardy. Harper surprised them with an Under Armour and Dick’s Sporting Goods shopping spree, including cleats and Phillies tickets.

“We really wanted to do something extra special for Bryce to show him we appreciate what he’s done for us,” said 12-year-old Ryan Skinner of the North Camden Pirates. “He’s such an amazing ballplayer and really deserved the MVP Award.”

The kids designed the cleats. They include the Phanatic, of course. They also have “MV3” and “MVP” with a Phillies "P" on the back. They were delivered to Harper’s Las Vegas home sometime last week.

“This was a really sweet surprise and such a cool way to reconnect with the young North Camden athletes,” Harper said. “This game can present both struggles and triumphs, which they are all too familiar with. I’ll think of them every time I wear these cleats -- they’re a representation of their hard work.

"To be the kind of player these kids look up to really means the world to me. I mean it when I say that I play for them. The fact that they thought of me during this moment is truly special.”