Mike Harkey

Michael Anthony Harkey (born October 25, 1966) is an American former professional baseball player and current coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1988 to 1997 for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, California Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mike Harkey
Harkey throwing batting practice, 2012
New York Yankees – No. 60
Pitcher / Bullpen coach
Born: (1966-10-25) October 25, 1966
San Diego, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 5, 1988, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 1997, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record36–36
Earned run average4.49
Strikeouts316
Teams
As player

As coach

Career highlights and awards

After his playing career, Harkey became a coach for the Florida Marlins in 2006 and the New York Yankees from 2008 through 2013, before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, who he coached in 2014 and 2015. He returned to the Yankees in 2016 and is currently serving as their bullpen coach.

Playing career

Harkey was born in San Diego, California, and attended California State University (CSU) Fullerton, where he played college baseball for the CSU Fullerton Titans. He was the first-round draft pick (4th overall) of the Chicago Cubs in the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] Owner George Argyros of the Seattle Mariners had plans to draft him with the first overall pick (as he liked the fact that he was from California and also thought he could make it to the majors faster) but was eventually convinced to draft Ken Griffey Jr instead.[2]

In 1990, Harkey finished the season with a record of 12–6 with a 3.26 earned run average.[1] He played in the majors in 1988, 1990 through 1995, and then 1997 before retiring.[1] He was plagued by shoulder and arm injuries throughout his early career with the Cubs. On September 6, 1992, during pregame warmups, he attempted a cartwheel in the Wrigley Field outfield, severely damaging his knee.[3]

Coaching career

Harkey served as pitching coach in Minor League Baseball for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2000, the Fort Wayne Wizards in 2001 and 2003, the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2002 and 2004, the Mobile BayBears in 2005, and the Iowa Cubs in 2007. He served as the bullpen coach for the Florida Marlins in 2006.[4]

Harkey joined the Yankees for the 2008 season.[5] Under Harkey, the Yankees bullpen played a major role in their success during the 2009 season, culminating in a victory in the 2009 World Series. He served as the bullpen coach for six seasons.

After the 2013 season, he was hired as the Diamondbacks' pitching coach.[6][7] The Diamondbacks fired Harkey after the 2015 season.[8] He returned to the Yankees as their bullpen coach for the 2016 season.[4]

Personal life

Harkey's son, Tony, is a former infielder for the Cal State-Fullerton Titans and Concordia University Irvine baseball team.[9] Tony won a NAIA World Series title in 2011 with the Concordia University Irvine Eagles. His son Cory Harkey was a tight end for the Los Angeles Rams[10] and is now serving as a Special Teams Assistant Coach for the Buffalo Bills.

Notes
  1. "Mike Harkey Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  2. The mariners almost didn't draft Ken Griffey Jr 1987 Baseball Draft lookoutlanding.com June 10, 2019
  3. "Cubs' Harkey out after pregame stunt". Google News. Reading Eagle. September 8, 1992. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  4. "Yankees announce coaching staff for the 2016 season". New York Yankees (Press release). MLB.com. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. Markusen, Bruce (November 11, 2007). "» Card Corner–Who Is Mike Harkey? Bronx Banter". Bronx Banter Blog. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  6. McCullough, Andy (November 28, 2013). "MLB hot stove: Mike Harkey to become Diamondbacks pitching coach, report says". NJ.com. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  7. "Arizona Diamondbacks make Mike Harkey pitching coach". ESPN. Associated Press. December 2, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  8. Buchanan, Zach (October 5, 2015). "Arizona Diamondbacks fire pitching coach Mike Harkey". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  9. "Player Bio: Tony Harkey - Cal State Fullerton Official Athletic Site". Cal State Fullerton Titans. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  10. Rozner, Barry (August 27, 2010). "Good thing Sox are used to this madness". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Florida Marlins bullpen coach
2006		 Succeeded by
Preceded by New York Yankees bullpen coach
2008–2013
2016–		 Succeeded by
Gary Tuck
Incumbent
Preceded by Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach
2014–2015		 Succeeded by
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