Matt Harrington
Encyclopedia
Matt Harrington is a retired professional baseball
pitcher
and a former first round pick in Major League Baseball
's First-Year Player Draft.
in Palmdale, California
, where he enjoyed a distinguished amateur career, most notably winning the Baseball America High School Player of the Year Award
in 2000. USA Today
also named him their high school Player of the Year that season, and he participated in the 1999 Goodwill Games
. In Harrington's senior season, he posted a 0.54 ERA
and an 11-0 record, including one no-hitter, with 126 strikeout
s in only 65 innings pitched
. Harrington was regarded as one of the top talents available in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
, and he chose agent Tommy Tanzer
as his representative. Several of the teams at the top of the draft were scared off by Tanzer's bonus demands for Harrington, and ultimately the Colorado Rockies
selected Harrington with the seventh overall pick in the draft.
, first round with the 7th overall pick by the Rockies
A right-hander with a 95+ mph fastball, Harrington was considered one of the top pitching
prospects in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. He was selected by the Colorado Rockies
with the 7th overall pick. However, Harrington and his agent Tommy Tanzer
were never able to come to terms on a contract. Tanzer asked for a $4.95 million signing bonus, which was 25 percent more than what the previous year's No. 1 pick Josh Hamilton
had received. The negotiations proved acrimonious, with Tanzer accusing the Rockies of backing out of an alleged pre-draft agreement to sign for his stated asking price, and the Rockies denying that such an agreement ever took place.
The Rockies' final offer was $4 million and a guaranteed major league callup by the end of 2002. Harrington turned down the deal, sat out the season and re-entered the draft in 2001. While Harrington and his parents publicly supported their agent at the time, they ultimately fired Tanzer and filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against him for giving bad advice. Tanzer was replaced with super-agent Scott Boras
, who also proved unsuccessful getting Harrington signed.
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
, second round with the 58th overall pick by the Padres
In the 2001 Draft, Harrington slipped into the second round, being drafted by the San Diego Padres
with the 58th overall pick. The Padres offered him a $1.2 million signing bonus. Boras, who wanted twice that amount, rejected the offer and Harrington again declined to sign. He played in the independent leagues during the following season, putting up unimpressive numbers for St. Paul
of the Northern League and the Long Beach Breakers
of the now-defunct Western Baseball League
, going a combined 2-6 with a 6.75 ERA
. He was released by Long Beach's manager Steve Yeager
. Although the Padres were still free to make additional contract offers until the day of the 2002 draft, they chose not to after scouting Harrington in independent ball that May. They felt Harrington's skills had diminished, and notified him that they were not interested in signing him to a contract, and would not be drafting him again.
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
, 13th round with the 374th overall pick by the Devil Rays
Despite his struggles in the independent leagues, Harrington was drafted again in 2002. This time, he was taken by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 13th round. Again, he failed to agree to a contract. Tampa Bay's offers ranged in the $5,000-$200,000 range, standard 13th round money.
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
, 24th round with the 711th overall pick by the Reds
In 2003, he fell to the 24th round of the draft (711th overall), before he was selected by the Cincinnati Reds
, who were just offering little more than a chance to play.
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
, 36th round with the 1,089th overall pick by the Yankees
In 2004, he was drafted by the New York Yankees
in the 36th round (1,089 overall). The Yankees did not offer him a contract.
of the independent American Association. He has pitched well with the Cats, mostly as a middle reliever. He posted a 5-0 record during the 2005 season, and followed that up with a 6-1 mark and a 2.90 ERA in 2006. During the latter season, he increased his strikeout rate dramatically, and allowed just 6.7 hits per nine innings pitched. The improvement was credited to Harrington being in better shape and regaining considerable velocity on his fastball.
Because none of the 30 major league teams selected him after 50 rounds in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, Harrington became a free agent
. This allowed him to sign a professional contract with any club in organized baseball, on whatever terms he can obtain. Harrington's improvement caused some major league clubs to again have interest in signing him. On October 10, 2006, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He received no signing bonus, but attended the Cubs' 2007 spring training camp with the hope of landing a position on a Cubs minor league team. However, the Cubs released him on March 27, 2007. After his release from the Cubs, he re-signed with the St. Paul Saints
, his original minor league independent team. He is now retired.
store, in the tire department, making $11.50 per hour.
He was able to salvage a portion of the baseball money he turned down, due to a settlement of an insurance policy he took out in 2000 and a lawsuit against his former agent.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and a former first round pick in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's First-Year Player Draft.
Amateur career
Harrington played his amateur ball at Palmdale High SchoolPalmdale High School
Palmdale High School is located in Palmdale, California and is part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District. About 4,000 students attend Palmdale High School in grades 9 through 12. Palmdale High School was founded in 1956.-Automotive:...
in Palmdale, California
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, where he enjoyed a distinguished amateur career, most notably winning the Baseball America High School Player of the Year Award
Baseball America High School Player of the Year Award
Baseball America has given out an annual, national High School Player of the Year Award every year since 1992. The award has been won by many players who have gone on to have successful major-league baseball careers.-List of winners:-Statistics:...
in 2000. USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
also named him their high school Player of the Year that season, and he participated in the 1999 Goodwill Games
Goodwill Games
The Goodwill Games was an international sports competition, created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s...
. In Harrington's senior season, he posted a 0.54 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and an 11-0 record, including one no-hitter, with 126 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in only 65 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. Harrington was regarded as one of the top talents available in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
, and he chose agent Tommy Tanzer
Tommy Tanzer
Tommy Tanzer is an American baseball agent, known for representing pitching prospect Matt Harrington. He has also represented Major League Baseball players such as Steve Finley, John Burkett, Sterling Hitchcock, Paul Abbott, Jason Johnson, Chone Figgins, José Molina, Charlie Hayes, Dante Bichette...
as his representative. Several of the teams at the top of the draft were scared off by Tanzer's bonus demands for Harrington, and ultimately the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
selected Harrington with the seventh overall pick in the draft.
Drafts
2000 Major League Baseball Draft2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
, first round with the 7th overall pick by the Rockies
A right-hander with a 95+ mph fastball, Harrington was considered one of the top pitching
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
prospects in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. He was selected by the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
with the 7th overall pick. However, Harrington and his agent Tommy Tanzer
Tommy Tanzer
Tommy Tanzer is an American baseball agent, known for representing pitching prospect Matt Harrington. He has also represented Major League Baseball players such as Steve Finley, John Burkett, Sterling Hitchcock, Paul Abbott, Jason Johnson, Chone Figgins, José Molina, Charlie Hayes, Dante Bichette...
were never able to come to terms on a contract. Tanzer asked for a $4.95 million signing bonus, which was 25 percent more than what the previous year's No. 1 pick Josh Hamilton
Josh Hamilton (baseball player)
Joshua Holt Hamilton is a Major League Baseball All Star outfielder for the Texas Rangers.He was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was considered a blue chip prospect until injuries and a drug addiction derailed his career in 2001...
had received. The negotiations proved acrimonious, with Tanzer accusing the Rockies of backing out of an alleged pre-draft agreement to sign for his stated asking price, and the Rockies denying that such an agreement ever took place.
The Rockies' final offer was $4 million and a guaranteed major league callup by the end of 2002. Harrington turned down the deal, sat out the season and re-entered the draft in 2001. While Harrington and his parents publicly supported their agent at the time, they ultimately fired Tanzer and filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against him for giving bad advice. Tanzer was replaced with super-agent Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
, who also proved unsuccessful getting Harrington signed.
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
, second round with the 58th overall pick by the Padres
In the 2001 Draft, Harrington slipped into the second round, being drafted by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
with the 58th overall pick. The Padres offered him a $1.2 million signing bonus. Boras, who wanted twice that amount, rejected the offer and Harrington again declined to sign. He played in the independent leagues during the following season, putting up unimpressive numbers for St. Paul
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Northern League and the Long Beach Breakers
Long Beach Breakers
This article is about the former Western Baseball League team, for the American Basketball Association team, go to Long Beach Breakers .The Long Beach Breakers were a minor league baseball team that played at Blair Field in Long Beach, California...
of the now-defunct Western Baseball League
Western Baseball League
The Western Baseball League was an independent baseball league based in the Western United States and Western Canada. It's member teams were not associated with any Major League Baseball teams. It operated from 1995 to 2002....
, going a combined 2-6 with a 6.75 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He was released by Long Beach's manager Steve Yeager
Steve Yeager
Stephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
. Although the Padres were still free to make additional contract offers until the day of the 2002 draft, they chose not to after scouting Harrington in independent ball that May. They felt Harrington's skills had diminished, and notified him that they were not interested in signing him to a contract, and would not be drafting him again.
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
, 13th round with the 374th overall pick by the Devil Rays
Despite his struggles in the independent leagues, Harrington was drafted again in 2002. This time, he was taken by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 13th round. Again, he failed to agree to a contract. Tampa Bay's offers ranged in the $5,000-$200,000 range, standard 13th round money.
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, 24th round with the 711th overall pick by the Reds
In 2003, he fell to the 24th round of the draft (711th overall), before he was selected by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, who were just offering little more than a chance to play.
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
, 36th round with the 1,089th overall pick by the Yankees
In 2004, he was drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 36th round (1,089 overall). The Yankees did not offer him a contract.
Professional career
From 2003 to 2006, Harrington pitched for the Fort Worth CatsFort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
of the independent American Association. He has pitched well with the Cats, mostly as a middle reliever. He posted a 5-0 record during the 2005 season, and followed that up with a 6-1 mark and a 2.90 ERA in 2006. During the latter season, he increased his strikeout rate dramatically, and allowed just 6.7 hits per nine innings pitched. The improvement was credited to Harrington being in better shape and regaining considerable velocity on his fastball.
Because none of the 30 major league teams selected him after 50 rounds in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, Harrington became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. This allowed him to sign a professional contract with any club in organized baseball, on whatever terms he can obtain. Harrington's improvement caused some major league clubs to again have interest in signing him. On October 10, 2006, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He received no signing bonus, but attended the Cubs' 2007 spring training camp with the hope of landing a position on a Cubs minor league team. However, the Cubs released him on March 27, 2007. After his release from the Cubs, he re-signed with the St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, his original minor league independent team. He is now retired.
Post-playing career
Harrington is currently working for the local CostcoCostco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
store, in the tire department, making $11.50 per hour.
He was able to salvage a portion of the baseball money he turned down, due to a settlement of an insurance policy he took out in 2000 and a lawsuit against his former agent.
External links
- Article in Kansas City Star (8/6/2006)