Every child who is a sports fan dreams of one day representing their hometown and playing for their favorite team. That dream became a reality for Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II when he was selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Harris' tutelage under Braves legend Marquis Grissom and subsequent rise from the minor leagues to the show have been well-documented over the past few years. His uniquely Atlanta story and exciting play style make it easy to understand why Harris quickly became a fan favorite.
Harris teamed up with New Balance after his 2022 NL Rookie of the Year campaign and began regularly rocking cleats with custom paint jobs that emphasized his love of the city.
Last week, Harris starred in a New Balance advertisement that highlights his hometown history. Check out Harris' social media post for a full look at the heartfelt video.
The video shows Harris walking on the baseball field where he played so many innings as a kid, honing his craft for one day, stepping onto the field at Truist Park. Coaches and family members recount tales of Harris' younger days before the 22-year-old delivered his mission statement.
Harris said, "This is the city I grew up in, and I'm just trying to do the same thing it did for me. Just spread the culture it gave me and put some excitement into the game."
Harris has accomplished both objectives. Last season, he batted .293, hit 18 home runs, and drove in 57 runners. Following his sophomore season, Harris was picked to star in a photo shoot for the newly-released New Balance 574 cleat.
Meanwhile, New Balance's roster keeps growing and attracting top young talent, making significant inroads in the sport. A recent study found that New Balance sponsored 20% of MLB starters in the 2023 regular season.
Atlanta is a baseball city with a fanbase that spreads like Kudzu vines all over the Deep South. There is no doubt that Harris and the City of Atlanta can help take the Boston-based brand to new levels of popularity in the region. After all, Atlanta athletes are a different breed.
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