Pep Harris

Infobox MLB retired
name = Pep Harris

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width =
caption =
position = Pitcher
birthdate = September 23, 1972
deathdate =
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = August 14
debutyear = 1996
debutteam = California Angels
finaldate = September 27
finalyear = 1998
finalteam = Anaheim Angels
stat1label = Innings pitched
stat1value = 172
stat2label = Wins
stat2value = 10
stat3label = Earned Run Average
stat3value = 3.92
teams = California Angels (1996)Anaheim Angels (1997-1998)
highlights = 2001 Texas-Louisiana League All-Star

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.

Baseball career

In the seventh round of the 1991 draft, the Cleveland Indians chose Harris, then a recent graduate of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, South Carolina.Lahnert, Lance. " [http://www.amarillo.com/stories/060301/dil_pep.shtml From the Villa: 'Pep' Harris knows he can get back to 'The House that Ruth Built'] ", The Amarillo Globe-News, published June 3, 2001, accessed October 21, 2007.] He was a replacement player during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, pitching in one inning of one game during spring training in 1995.Neubert, Cheryl Rosenberg. " [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8801295_ITM Donnelly rues replacement days] ", The Orange County Register, published July 26, 2002, accessed October 21, 2007.] 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.Daily News Wires, " [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BRIEFLY%5cAngels+trade+Anderson+for+right-handers.-a083918716 BRIEFLYAngels trade Anderson for right-handers] ", The Los Angeles Daily News, published February 16, 1996, accessed October 21, 2007.]

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." [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ANGELS+NOTEBOOK+%3a+ABBOTT'S+REPLACEMENT%2c+%60PEP%2c'+MAKES+IT+TO+ANAHEIM+IN...-a083959669 ANGELS NOTEBOOK : ABBOTT'S REPLACEMENT, `PEP,' MAKES IT TO ANAHEIM IN TIME] ", The Los Angeles Daily News, published August 15, 1996, accessed October 21, 2007.] 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.Barnathan, Lee. " [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ANGELS+RALLY%2c+BEAT+INDIANS+%3a+MCDOWELL+LOSES+6-RUN+CUSHION+ANGELS+8%2c...-a083959648 ANGELS RALLY, BEAT INDIANS : MCDOWELL LOSES 6-RUN CUSHION] ", The Los Angeles Daily News, published August 15, 1996, accessed October 21, 2007.] 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.Brannan, Steve. " [http://www.amarillo.com/stories/070301/dil_allstars.shtml Four Dillas named T-L League all-stars] ", The Amarillo Globe-News, published July 3, 2001, accessed October 21, 2007.]

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.Lahnert, Lance. " [http://www.amarillo.com/stories/060301/dil_circling.shtml Circling the Bases With...Pep Harris] ", The Amarillo Globe-News, published June 3, 2001, accessed October 21, 2007.] His cousin [http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=6275 G. G. Harris] was also a professional baseball player, spending three years in the minor league system of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

External links

* [http://thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Pep-Harris.shtml Baseballcube.com profile]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/harripe01.shtml Baseball-reference.com profile]

References