Spencer Strider: MLB’s Bernie Bro on veganism, Trash Panda, and fighting racism and homophobia

The Braves pitcher has always been different from the average baseball player. He talks to Joseph Palmer about his motivations on and off the field

Spencer Strider made an impression in 2022, his first full season in Major League Baseball: he was runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year. In 2023 he was ever better, leading the majors in wins and strikeouts and earning a spot on the All-MLB first-team.

But what set him apart from many of his peers wasn't his athletic ability but his life away from baseball. In a sport that is often socially conservative, the Atlanta Braves pitcher was a vegan Bernie Sanders supporter who was just as likely to discuss indie music as his fastball.