This story absolutely BLEW OUR MINDS when it came to learning that Carson Wentz and Phillies pitcher for the the Phillies, Matt Strahm, battled it out! Jeff Kurkjian is down in Clearwater, Florida learning all about how the Phillies are going to do this season and meeting some of the new additions to the team.
New Player, Who Dis?
Matt Strahm joined the Phillies this offseason when he signed a two-year deal in December. Strahm’s deal, first reported by The Athletic, is worth $15 million over two years. A huge addition to have the left-handed arm either out of the bullpen or within the starting rotation, huge get for the team.
![Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees](https://957benfm.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2023/03/GettyImages-1426757120.jpg)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Strahm #55 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch in the eighth against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Strahm previously played for the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres but also started his career with the team who drafted him, the Kansas City Royals. He was drafted in the 21st round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
He grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota and if you’re a Philly fan, well then maybe you’re familiar with another player from North Dakota but no, not a baseball player, a football player.
![NFL Draft](https://957benfm.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2023/03/GettyImages-525682128.jpg)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Carson Wentz of the North Dakota State Bison holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Oh Boy, Why Are We Bringing This Guy Up?
Well funny enough, I had to ask Matt Strahm about being a North Dakota guy. I unfortunately assumed that they actually grew up together (which is very false, North Dakota is VERY BIG). But despite being a big state, they actually did have a run in with each other at the state championship baseball game.
Matt tells the story perfect, Carson Wentz and Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm head to head!!