| Mike Harkey | |
|---|---|
 Harkey throwing batting practice in 2012 | |
| Pitcher /Coach | |
| Born: (1966-10-25)October 25, 1966 (age 59) 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 record | 36–36 |
| Earned run average | 4.49 |
| Strikeouts | 316 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Michael Anthony Harkey (born October 25, 1966) is an American former professionalbaseball player andcoach. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handedpitcher from 1988 to 1997 for theChicago Cubs,Colorado Rockies,Oakland Athletics,California Angels, andLos Angeles Dodgers.
After his playing career, Harkey became a coach for theFlorida Marlins in 2006 and the New York Yankees from 2008 through 2013, before joining theArizona Diamondbacks, who he coached in 2014 and 2015. He returned to the Yankees in 2016 and served as their bullpen coach through 2025.
Harkey was born in San Diego, California, where he attendedGanesha High School inPomona[1][2] andCalifornia State University (CSU)Fullerton, where he playedcollege baseball for theCSU Fullerton Titans.[3] He was the first-round draft pick (4th overall) of theChicago Cubs in the1987 Major League Baseball draft.[4][3]Seattle Mariners ownerGeorge Argyros 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 draftKen Griffey Jr. instead.[5]
That year, Harkey went 2–3 with a 3.55 ERA in 12 starts for thePeoria Chiefs in A-ball. He finished the season in Double-A with thePittsfield Cubs. Harkey started the 1988 season in Pittsfield, where he pitched to a 9–2 record with a 1.37 ERA. He was promoted to Triple-A Iowa, where he was 7–2 with a 3.55 ERA. Harkey was called up to the Cubs in September. He pitched to a 2.60 ERA in five starts.[3]
The 1989 season was a disaster for Harkey. Expected to be in Chicago's starting rotation, he tried to pitch through shoulder tendinitis and worsened the problem. The Cubs placed him on the disabled list to start the year and sent him back to Triple-A. After 12 games with theIowa Cubs, he tore cartilage in his knee and missed the rest of the season.[3]
Harkey regained the velocity on his fastball and was placed in the Cubs 1990 rotation.[3] He finished the season with a record of 12–6 and 3.26earned run average in 173.2 innings, and finished fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.[6] In 1991, Harkey pitched in four games before going down with a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery to repair a cartilage tear and missed the rest of the season.[7][8]
Harkey didn't return to the majors until July 20, 1992. On September 6, he attempted a cartwheel in the Wrigley Field outfield during pregame warmups and suffered a ruptured patella tendon, ending his season.[9][10] On June 20, 1993, the Cubs placed Harkey on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis.[11] He finished the season with a 5.26 ERA in 28 starts.[12]
Harkey signed with theColorado Rockies for the strike-shortened 1994 season.[13] He lost his spot in the rotation, ultimately pitching to a 5.79 ERA in 91.2 innings (13 starts).[14][15]
He signed with theOakland Athletics for the 1995 season, pitching to a 6.27 ERA in 66 innings before he was designated for assignment in July.[16]
On July 19, 1995, theCalifornia Angels claimed Harkey off waivers and plugged him into their rotation.[17] On September 30, he pitched 6.2 innings of shutout baseball in a must-win game against Oakland to help the Angels force a one-game playoff with theSeattle Mariners.[18]
Harkey signed with theLos Angeles Dodgers for the 1996 season, but spent the entire year with theAlbuquerque Isotopes in Triple-A.[19] He re-upped with the Dodgers for the 1997 season and was called up on June 23 to pitch out of the bullpen.[20] He appeared in 10 games over multiple stints with the major league club that year.[21]
Harkey served as a minor league pitching coach forSan Diego Padres affiliates theRancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2000,Fort Wayne Wizards in 2001 and 2003,Lake Elsinore Storm in 2002 and 2004, andMobile BayBears in 2005, as well as the Chicago Cubs affiliateIowa Cubs in 2007. He served as the bullpen coach for theFlorida Marlins in 2006.[22]
Harkey joined the Yankees for the 2008 season.[23] Under Harkey, the Yankees bullpen played a major role in their success during the 2009 season, culminating in a victory in the2009 World Series. He served as the bullpen coach for six seasons.
After the 2013 season, he was hired as the Diamondbacks' pitching coach.[24][25] The Diamondbacks fired Harkey after the 2015 season.[26] He returned to the Yankees as their bullpen coach for the 2016 season.[22] Harkey was fired from the staff after the 2025 season.[27]
Harkey's son, Tony, is a former infielder for theCal State-Fullerton Titans and Concordia University Irvine baseball team.[28] Tony won a NAIA World Series title in 2011 with the Concordia University Irvine Eagles. His sonCory Harkey was atight end for theLos Angeles Rams,[29] and is now serving as a Special teams quality control coach for theGreen Bay Packers.
· Baseball Almanac| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Florida Marlinsbullpen coach 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York Yankeesbullpen coach 2008–2013 2016–2025 | Succeeded by Gary Tuck Vacant |
| Preceded by | Arizona Diamondbackspitching coach 2014–2015 | Succeeded by |