Bryce Harper welcomes high expectations

Hearing the names associated with Bryce Harper's historic National League Most Valuable Player season was like touring through Cooperstown. Only two players 22 or younger had a better OPS than Harper's major league-leading .460 mark - Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx. The Nationals slugger became the youngest player in the history of game to smash 42 homers and draw 124 walks. The previous youngest was Babe Ruth, arguably the greatest player ever, at 25 in 1920.

Harper also became just the second player since 2000 to rack up 42 homers, 124 walks and 118 runs scored - home run king Barry Bonds accomplished the feat during MVP campaigns in 2001 and 2004. Only two other players - the legendary Ty Cobb and Williams - achieved an OPS+ over 190 at 22 or younger, according to Elias. Harper's was 195. Mind-boggling.

But you didn't need a bunch of numbers to realize Harper was the best hitter in the game in 2015, deserving of becoming the youngest unanimous winner of the Baseball Writers' Association of America's NL MVP Award and the fourth-youngest ever to receive the honor.

As remarkable of a season as it was, it will only temper the expectations of the critics. They will remain throughout his whole career and likely continue measuring him up long after his playing days are over. Those include the players in the game who began this historic year by anonymously voting Harper as the most overrated player in the majors in a poll for the second straight year.

Opinions were formed just off of Harper's Sports Illustrated cover at 16. His decision to leave high school early and achieve his GED to fast track to the majors was considered brash.

"I think a lot of people know how I was growing up," Harper said. "I think a lot of people know how I am now. The expectations, being who I am, not really into looking at what other people are doing or what fans of other teams think or anything else. I just want to do what I do on a daily basis."

Harper never minded not being liked, whether it was warranted or not. Despite turning the tide, receiving a record number of NL All-Star votes this year, Harper also continued leading the league in boos and jeers at opposing ballparks.

"I absolutely love it," he said. "I enjoy getting booed when I go to places. It makes me thrive. It makes me play well."

Immediately after winning the MVP, Harper was asked whether he can have a better season. The crazy part is, it's a legitimate question, especially after he batted 58 points higher than his career average for his previous three seasons, crushed 20 more homers than any other single year and walked a franchise-record 124 times.

Harper will tell you he was capable of accomplishing all of those marks earlier in his career if not for a couple unlucky injuries. So he's prepared for the increased expectations.

"I think it's always been what have you done for me lately," Harper said. "I've always said that ever since I was younger. Being able to do the things I needed to do to help my team on a daily basis, I knew I could do. I think being healthy and playing the game the right way, I think that was the main focus. This whole year, all I wanted to do was stay on the field and do everything I can to help my team win. I always can get better."

The natural progression is for Harper to be judged next as a leader and whether or not he can carry the Nationals to a championship. But even that won't stop the critics; it hasn't for LeBron James or Tiger Woods.

"All I want to do is win ballgames. I want to win a World Series and I always know you can get better every single day, and that's what I want to do," Harper said. "That's what I want to do. I want to be the best I can. I want to work hard every single day to get to that goal, as an organization as a team I think everybody there wants to do the same thing."