Armed Forces News

When right-handed pitcher Mitch Harris took the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park in Milwaukee on April 25, he became the first U.S. Naval Academy graduate to pitch in the Major Leagues since Nemo Gaines of the Washington Senators in 1921. Harris threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out the first Milwaukee Brewer he faced. Drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round seven years ago, Harris had to complete his service commitment before he could report to the Cardinals. His five-year Navy career included a deployment on the amphibious transport dock Ponce, and cruises to the Persian Gulf and South America. Two Ponce shipmates and his fiancée were in the stands to watch the former lieutenant make his big-league debut. “When the phone call came in, obviously it hit me that this is finally happening. But once I hit the field, it’s just like every other day. It’s the same game, the same things happening,” Harris said. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was pleased with his 29-year-old rookie reliever. “He came in and did exactly what we hoped he would do,” Matheny said.