Pep Harris
Encyclopedia
Hernando Petrocelli "Pep" Harris (born September 23, 1972 in Lancaster, South Carolina
) is an American
former Major League Baseball
player. A pitcher
, Harris played for the California/Anaheim Angels
from 1996 to 1998.
, the Cleveland Indians
chose Harris, then a recent graduate of Lancaster High School
in Lancaster, South Carolina
. He was a replacement player
during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, pitching in one inning of one game during spring training
in 1995. He spent that season in class AA, and on February 15, 1996, the Indians traded Harris and pitcher Jason Grimsley
to the California Angels for pitcher Brian Anderson
.
On August 5, Harris started in the Hall of Fame game, giving up three runs in seven innings against the Expos, and on August 14 he was called up to the Angels, taking the roster spot of Jim Abbott
. He made his major league debut that night against the Indians, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out
three batters in an 8-7 win for the Angels. Harris would go on to spend three seasons with the Angels, chiefly as a relief pitcher. From 1996 through 1998, he earned 10 wins and five losses in 121 games pitched, posting a 3.92 ERA
in 172 innings pitched
. Due to his work as a replacement player, however, he was not allowed to join the Major League Baseball Players Association
. Angels player representative Troy Percival
argued in favor of Harris's reinstatement for 30 minutes in front of the union's executive board, but was unsuccessful.
After the end of the 1998 season, the Angels asked Harris to play for the Lara Cardinals of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
during the offseason. While playing there, he damaged a tendon in his right elbow, which required surgery and knocked him out for the entire 1999 season. He went to spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 2000, but was hampered by a bone spur
which required more surgery.
In 2002, Harris attempted a comeback with the Amarillo Dillas
of the independent Texas-Louisiana League, in the dual roles of pitcher and pitching coach. He was one of four Dillas selected to the Texas-Louisiana league All-Star
team that season, along with teammates Jorge Alvarez
, Tyrone Horne, and Lonnie Maclin
.
As of 2002, Harris was married, with two children. His cousin G. G. Harris was also a professional baseball player, spending three years in the minor league system of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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...
player. A 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...
, Harris played for the California/Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
from 1996 to 1998.
Baseball career
In the seventh round of the 1991 draft1991 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
chose Harris, then a recent graduate of Lancaster High School
Lancaster High School (Lancaster, South Carolina)
Lancaster High School is located in Lancaster, South Carolina, a small town approximately 35 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The school serves students in grades 9-12 with a program that provides AP and honors classes, college preparatory classes, a vocational/technical program, and range of...
in Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
. He was a replacement player
Replacement player
In professional sports, a replacement player is an athlete who is not a member of the league's players association and plays during a labor dispute such as a strike or lockout.- National Football League – 1987 :...
during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, pitching in one inning of one game during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1995. He spent that season in class AA, and on February 15, 1996, the Indians traded Harris and pitcher Jason Grimsley
Jason Grimsley
Jason Alan Grimsley is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He made his debut on September 8, , and pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angels, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and most recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Major league...
to the California Angels for pitcher Brian Anderson
Brian Anderson (pitcher)
Brian James Anderson is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played 13 season for five teams, as well as a sports broadcaster and coach. Currently, Anderson is the color commentator on the Rays TV crew on Sun Sports....
.
On August 5, Harris started in the Hall of Fame game, giving up three runs in seven innings against the Expos, and on August 14 he was called up to the Angels, taking the roster spot of Jim Abbott
Jim Abbott
James Anthony Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.He graduated from Flint Central High School and...
. He made his major league debut that night against the Indians, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out
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....
three batters in an 8-7 win for the Angels. Harris would go on to spend three seasons with the Angels, chiefly as a relief pitcher. From 1996 through 1998, he earned 10 wins and five losses in 121 games pitched, posting a 3.92 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...
in 172 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...
. Due to his work as a replacement player, however, he was not allowed to join the Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
. Angels player representative Troy Percival
Troy Percival
Troy Eugene Percival is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He gained fame as a closer. During a 14-year baseball career, he pitched from 1995-2009 for four different teams, pitching primarily with the California/Anaheim Angels...
argued in favor of Harris's reinstatement for 30 minutes in front of the union's executive board, but was unsuccessful.
After the end of the 1998 season, the Angels asked Harris to play for the Lara Cardinals of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
during the offseason. While playing there, he damaged a tendon in his right elbow, which required surgery and knocked him out for the entire 1999 season. He went to spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 2000, but was hampered by a bone spur
Bone spur
Osteophytes, commonly referred to as bone spurs, are bony projections that form along joint margins. They should not be confused with enthesophytes, which are bony projections which form at the attachment of a tendon or ligament.-Pathophysiology:...
which required more surgery.
In 2002, Harris attempted a comeback with the Amarillo Dillas
Amarillo Dillas
The Amarillo Dillas were a professional baseball team based in Amarillo, Texas, in the United States. The Dillas were a member of United League Baseball, an independent professional league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
of the independent Texas-Louisiana League, in the dual roles of pitcher and pitching coach. He was one of four Dillas selected to the Texas-Louisiana league All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team that season, along with teammates Jorge Alvarez
Jorge Alvarez
Jorge Alvarez may refer to:*Jorge Montt Álvarez , vice-admiral of the Chilean navy and president of Chile from 1891 to 1896*Jorge Álvares , Portuguese explorer*Jorge Álvarez , Argentine music producer...
, Tyrone Horne, and Lonnie Maclin
Lonnie Maclin
Lonnie Lee Maclin was a Major League Baseball left-fielder. Maclin played for the St. Louis Cardinals in the season. In 12 career games, Maclin had 1 hit, in 13 at-bats. He batted and threw left-handed....
.
Personal life
Harris's nickname "Pep" was a derivative of his middle name, Petrocelli. His family had wanted a shorter name to use when referring to him, but they felt that "Pet" would be inappropriate, and thus they changed it to "Pep".As of 2002, Harris was married, with two children. His cousin G. G. Harris was also a professional baseball player, spending three years in the minor league system of the Pittsburgh Pirates.