#195 Pete Harnisch

About the Front: This is one of the neater portraits in this set. I assume that Pete Harnisch is sitting on the Astrodome dugout steps. That is some lovely green carpet underneath him; some of my neighbors still have that bright green turf on their rowhouse porches.

About the Back: Harnisch was a supplemental draft pick. The O's got a compensatory pick at the end of the first round after Rick Dempsey signed with the Indians as a free agent.

Triple Play:

1. Though Pete twice led the National League in fewest hits allowed per inning while with Houston, it was his age-31 season with the Reds in 1998 that may have been his finest: a 14-7 record, a 3.14 ERA (138 ERA+), and a 1.15 WHIP in 209 innings pitched.

2. After quitting smokeless tobacco while pitching for the Mets, Harnisch was diagnosed with and treated for clinical depression.

3. Pete now works with the Angels as a roving minor league pitching instructor.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: I may have a couple dozen Pete Harnisch 1989 Donruss "Rated Rookie" cards. He looks much better without the mustache.

Bill James Said: "Always bet on a power pitcher. You'll win more than you lose."

On This Date in 1993: April 16. The final episode of the sitcom Major Dad airs on CBS, creating a Gerald McRaney-shaped void in all of our lives.