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The verified MLB page on Instagram recently posted a list of the best players in the major leagues "at every age" from 20-years old to 44-years old, based on rankings by MLB.com. As is usually the case whenever rankings and selecting the "best" players are involved, there were a lot of differing opinions from fans.
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There were a few notable high-profile absentees from the list, but none more so than Bryce Harper at 31-years old and Mike Trout at 33-years old. Reacting to the list in the comments, several fans voiced their opinions on the exclusion of two of baseball's biggest stars.
"Mookie Betts is not better than Bryce Harper 💀" one fan commented
"Where is Mike Trout?"
"Bryce "Chosen One" Harper not being on here is an absolute travesty."
"Don't remember Mookie beeing better than Harper"
"Trout is better than Cole"
Both Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and Bryce Harper with the Phillies have had successful careers in the big leagues. Together, they have accumulated 19 All-star game appearances, five MVP awards and 12 Silver Slugger awards.
Bryce Harper walks it off to seal Phillies win
The Philadelphia Phillies won the first game of the series against the Houston Astros by a score of 3-2, in a game that required extra innings to decide the outcome. Philly starter Zack Wheeler and Astros starter Ronel Blanco registered quality outings giving up only two runs each, on a night where both defenses played well and runs were at a premium.
With the game locked at 2-2 after the end of the sixth inning, Bryce Harper, seemingly trying to prove that he should be included on the Best Players list, eventually broke the deadlock. In the bottom of the tenth inning, he hit a single to score Kyle Schwarber, which won the game for the Phillies. For the 2024 season, Harper is batting at a .277 average, with 26 home runs and 76 RBIs.
After the aforementioned victory in game one, the Phillies went on to clinch the series by winning the second game as well, before the Astros won the third. Next, the Phillies continue the home stand as the Atlanta Braves travel to Citizen's Bank Park for the opener of a four-game series on Thursday.
The visitors will be looking to win a second away series in a row, after sweeping the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. The upcoming series promises to be another thriller as the first and second placed NL East teams face off.
