Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder Michael Harris II sparked a ninth-inning rally against the Miami Marlins on Sunday with his leadoff 419-foot home run. But he’s still a rookie. And with that, comes some lighthearted rookie hazing.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Rookie of the Year candidate so long as Tyler Matzek is in the clubhouse.
After the Braves’ 3-1 win in Miami — their sixth straight win after the rough series in New York — Harris was speaking to reporters around his locker. And it became apparent that the rookie had an assignment for his media session. He had to say “meow” as often as he could and play it off cool — straight out of Super Troopers.
Count how many times @MoneyyyMikeee can say "meow" in a postgame interview. 😹 pic.twitter.com/6S9MB28zZ8
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) August 14, 2022
Harris tried his best to keep himself collected. But once Matzek approached the interview session (you can hear him asking how many he got) — drawing a Matzek-related question — Harris couldn’t hold it together. Harris started his answer, “He’s so good meow.” At that point, the laughter took over. He got five meows in three minutes, though.
But hey, it seems like the 21-year-old is fitting in just fine with the big club. Harris handled the assignment well.
This was how Twitter reacted
What can’t he do, folks? Even handles a little rookie challenge like a pro😂🐈⬛ https://t.co/Hm3S1JF993
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) August 14, 2022
— Dylan Lee (@DRLee45) August 14, 2022
Handled it like a pro😂😂😂 https://t.co/zJYyjsHe0B
— Lisa Harvey (@BoilerLisa) August 14, 2022
Meowneyy Mikeee https://t.co/b68BGkkSVN
— Jeff (@AlwaysOverPar) August 14, 2022
Super Troopers came out three weeks before Michael Harris was born. https://t.co/s0h4qc3ann
— Trey Mongrue (@TreyMongrue) August 14, 2022
Give this guy the rookie of the year award right meow https://t.co/TeJfhvoHAB
— Joe McCann (@JoeMcCann3) August 14, 2022
this kid lost a bet to somebody 😂 https://t.co/gORSajuwok
— emily (@atliems) August 14, 2022
This is my king https://t.co/ILsAgIVv1d
— Natalie (@nd4668) August 14, 2022
Even kings get hazed as rookies 🤣🤣🤣 🐱 https://t.co/HRJ2H7uv86
— Braves Niñja (@BravesNinja2) August 14, 2022
The Braves will head back to Atlanta to open a four-game series with the Mets on Monday. They seem pretty loose right meow.
