Bryce Harper was chatting with his wife Kayla the other day when she showed him a story about 14-year-old soccer phenom Cavan Sullivan.
“I saw that if he plays (for the Union) for X years he can go to Manchester. That’s incredible,” the Phillies star said Wednesday. “Are you kidding me? Being 18 years old and playing for City? That’s incredible.”
And, for Harper, totally relatable.
For the uninitiated, Sullivan, born in Philadelphia and raised in Norristown, signed a local professional contract last week with the Union, the precursor to a run with English superpower Manchester City in the Premier League. It was a big deal, rumored to be the richest in Major League Soccer history.
![Phillies star Bryce Harper can relate to Union’s teen phenom Cavan Sullivan Phillies star Bryce Harper can relate to Union’s teen phenom Cavan Sullivan](https://i0.wp.com/keynoteusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Phillies-star-Bryce-Harper-can-relate-to-Unions-teen-phenom.jpg?resize=760%2C507&ssl=1)
There is a parallel with Harper, who left high school in Las Vegas after his sophomore year to play in college. He was a travel-ball star, in demand among teams in California, Oklahoma, Alabama, and other far-flung places. Sports Illustrated put him on the cover at age 16. He was drafted first overall by the Washington Nationals at 17 and made his major league debut at 19.
At no point did Harper slow down to become, well, normal.
So surely Harper must appreciate Sullivan’s experience as a teenage sports prodigy.
“Everyone always said, ‘Oh, you’re missing this, you’re missing that,’ and yeah, I did. But I enjoyed every minute,” Harper said before taking batting practice and returning to the Phillies lineup after missing Tuesday’s game in New York with a migraine. “I had some good times in college and minor league baseball. It was difficult because I was a lot younger than the others. He is much younger than everyone else.
“I think that’s the hard part. You’re sitting there and you’re thinking, ‘I’m only 14 and I’m playing with a 36-year-old with kids.’ But obviously, you find your way. He’s in good hands (with the Union) and I’m sure he’ll be a great player and he’ll have a lot of fun. He said it’s something he’s always dreamed of.”
Harper, 31, grew up in the spotlight of the Major Leagues. He faced jealous opponents and resentment even from his teammates. But he also delivered on the field. He was Rookie of the Year in 2012 and won MVP awards in 2015 with the Nationals and 2021 with the Phillies.
Last week, after penning another in a series of Mr. October-worthy moments to push the Phillies to the National League Championship Series, Harper admitted he grew up with a level of pressure unmatched even in the glare of the postseason. of the MLB.
Maybe it will help Sullivan that he will be playing in his hometown. He joined Union’s academy when he was 10 years old and will continue to develop on the MLS field while he lives at home with his family.
It’s unclear when Sullivan will make his Union debut. But if it’s July 29 or sooner, he will be the youngest player to make his MLS debut: five years younger than Harper when he played his first game for the Nationals at Dodger Stadium 12 years ago.
![Phillies star Bryce Harper can relate to Union’s teen phenom Cavan Sullivan Phillies star Bryce Harper was drafted at 17 years old by the Washington Nationals. He knows the challenges that Union teen phenom Cavan Sullivan faces.](https://i0.wp.com/keynoteusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Phillies-star-Bryce-Harper-can-relate-to-Unions-teen-phenom.jpg?resize=760%2C507&ssl=1)
The more Harper learned about Sullivan’s story, the more amazed he seemed. He now has three children and said his oldest child, Krew, 4, has become a Flyers fan. He may attend a game at Subaru Park when Sullivan takes the field for the Union.
“Fourteen, I mean, being able to do what he does, it’s amazing, right?” Harper said. “For him to get to where he wanted to be, playing with the A team, I hope he has an incredible career. Because, I mean, what a great story not only for him and his family but for Philadelphia as a whole.
“I wish him all the best because it can be a difficult situation. But as long as he is good and likes it, then I will do everything.”
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