by Paul Semendinger
March 27, 2021
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What follows are some interesting, fun, and random facts, etc. regarding the Yankees’ Bullpen Coach, Mike Harkey:
At 54-years-old, Mike Harkey is the oldest member of the Yankees’ Coaching staff. (The average age of the Yankees coaches is 42.5 years-old).
Mike Harkey is also the longest tenured Yankees’ coach on staff. The 2021 season will be his 12th with the Yankees (though not consecutively).
Harkey coached for the Yankees from 2008-13 and then returned to the Yankees for the 2016 season.
Mike Harkey is the only coach on staff who coached under managers Joe Girardi and Aaron Boone.
During Mike Harkey’s non-Yankees years (2014 and 2015), he was the bullpen coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 2006, Mike Harkey was the bullpen coach for the Florida Marlins. (The manager of that team was Joe Girardi.)
Harkey also coached in the Padres and Cubs minor league systems.
As a player, Mike Harkey pitched for eight big league seasons, mostly for the Cubs (1988, 1990-93). He also pitched for the Rockies (1994), A’s (1995), Angels (1995), and Dodgers (1997).
From 1990-93 (with the Cubs) and in 1994 (with the Rockies), Harkey’s catcher was often Joe Girardi.
In his career, Mike Harkey appeared in 131 games. He made 104 starts and compiled a lifetime record of 36-36.
Mike Harkey’s only career shutout came on August 17, 1990 against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed only three hits, struck out six, and walked no batters. The Cubs won that game 7-0. His catcher that day was… Joe Girardi.
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The following is the entire series (to date) and a bonus article examining the Yankees’ coaching philosophy.
PLUS, this article examines the Yankees’ coaching philosophy the last few years:
