Mayor Carolyn Goodman presented Keys to the City to Major League Baseball all-stars Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant in recognition to their outstanding 2015 seasons and their accomplishments as homegrown athletes who have had amazing starts to their young careers.
Harper, an outfielder with the Washington Nationals, was named the National League MVP, after posting a season with 42 home runs, a .330 batting average, 99 runs batted in, 118 runs scored and six stolen bases. Harper played high school baseball at Las Vegas High School, and in 2010 while attending the College of Southern Nevada Harper led the baseball team to the junior College World Series. He was also the National League Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Bryant, a third-baseman with the Chicago Cubs, was named the National League Rookie of the Year, tallying 26 home runs, a .275 average, 99 runs batted in, 87 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Bryant attended Bonanza High School, and while playing at the University of San Diego he was a first-team All-American and won the Golden Spikes Award for being the top collegiate player in the nation.
The two players grew up playing against and with each other in Las Vegas, and now continue to face off as friendly rivals representing Las Vegas in the Major Leagues.
The ceremony took place on Thursday night on the Third Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience.
