Harris (not the ambidextrous pitcher of the same name) boasted one of the best curves in the league, and used it repeatedly. In 1989 he established himself as the number-two man out of the Padres' bullpen, but he moved into the rotation in 1991, posting a 2.23 ERA and a 9-5 record in his twenty starts that season.

Harris continued to pitch solidly for San Diego until a contract dispute arose after the 1992 season. Harris wanted a four-year deal; the Padres offered two. Finally, he was shipped out in a five-man deal that sent him and Bruce Hurst to the pitching-starved Rockies for Brad Ausmus, Doug Bochtler, and Andy Ashby in July 1993.

It was a death sentence for a man who relied on his breaking ball for success. Unable to adjust to Colorado's notoriously thin air, Harris finished the season with a 1-8 record and a 6.50 ERA in a Rockies uniform, and was booed mercilessly by fans at Mile-High Stadium down the stretch. It was no better the following year as Harris suffered through a 3-12 campaign, including an uncharacteristically high 6.65 ERA.

Disheartened, Harris signed with the Twins for the 1995 season. He went 0-5 in just seven appearances for Minnesota and was released in August. (SFS/JGR)