Truly elite players always find a way to make history.
Sometimes, this happens off the field.
This is exactly what happened with Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper.
The slugger, winner of the NL MVP award in 2015 and 2021, underwent Tommy John surgery right after the Phillies’ World Series run.
Now, for pitchers, Tommy John surgery often erases between 14 and 16 months of their careers.
For position players like Harper, the timeline is considerably shorter.
However, he still wasn’t expected to return until after the All-Star break.
Here we are, on May 2, and he will be in the lineup after completing an amazing, miraculous comeback.
In case you were wondering, that’s a new record.
“Bryce Harper had Tommy John surgery in November 2022, and doctors said a July return was optimistic. But Harper will be in the Phillies lineup tonight, just 160 days after surgery. That’s the fastest recovery from Tommy John surgery for any player in MLB history. Incredible,” Joe Pompliano tweeted.
Bryce Harper had Tommy John surgery in November 2022, and doctors said a July return was optimistic.
But Harper will be in the Phillies lineup tonight, just 160 days after surgery.
That's the fastest recovery from Tommy John surgery for any player in MLB history.
Incredible 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wfT2nWXwqK
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 1, 2023
160 days is not even six months.
But great players perform at a top level off the field, too, in the things that count to make a swift, fast recovery: discipline, not missing a workout, performing the right therapy sessions, focusing on the mental part, healthy eating habits, and always keeping a positive mindset.
Harper did all that with determination, and the results are here: he is now ready to help his team much earlier than anticipated.
The 15-15 Phillies are about to receive a major boost to their postseason chances with the return of their best player, the one we know (we have witnessed it) can make a real difference when it counts.
NEXT: Video Hypes Up The Return Of Bryce Harper
