Happy Birthday, Brian Harper

[Matt Johnson]

The toughest player to strike out in Minnesota Twins history turns 57 today. 

Harper led the American League in AB/SO in 1990 and '92.

He struck out once every 22.8 at-bats in 1992. For comparison, Kurt Suzuki led the 2016 club with 1 K per 7.2 at-bats. Joe Mauer K'ed every 5.3 times up.

Harper is tied with Jackie Robinson and Jackie Hayes for 212th best AB/SO ratio in major league history.

 

What are your favorite memories of Harper's playing career?

First image that pops into my head is of him getting bowled over by Lonnie Smith.

 

Any chance the Cubs' Triple-A hitting coach finds a job in the major leagues. Literally just occurred to me, but any chance of seeing him back a Twins uniform?

 

Keep in touch with @twinsalmanac on Twitter.

[Parker Hageman]

This is probably the greatest Brian Harper play ever. 

 

[Craig Arko]

Happy Birthday, Mr. Harper.

[ashbury]

You can't discuss Harper's contribution to the team without mentioning Lonnie Smith. It was a routine play in many respects, but reflected the essence of the job, and for a guy maligned for his defense, you have to give him props for laying it all on the line.

[Parker Hageman]

 

You can't discuss Harper's contribution to the team without mentioning Lonnie Smith. It was a routine play in many respects, but reflected the essence of the job, and for a guy maligned for his defense, you have to give him props for laying it all on the line.

 

I honestly don't think Harper had much of a choice on that play. 

 

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/757972691987099648

[Matt Johnson]

 

This is probably the greatest Brian Harper play ever. 

 

 

I'd totally forgotten about that play. Nice job by Hrbek being in position for that play, too.

[Rosterman]

Yes, I would bring him back as a bench coach or hitting coach. He ahs paid his dues in the minor leagues.

 

[ashbury]

I honestly don't think Harper had much of a choice on that play.

That's what I meant when I used the word 'routine'. Still, I don't see a hint of a flinch away from the contact, just a preparation for the contact. And he held on to the damn ball. Neither of those is a given, on a play like that. And then he pops up and holds the ball aloft. Heroic.

[Matt Johnson]

 

That's what I meant when I used the word 'routine'. Still, I don't see a hint of a flinch away from the contact, just a preparation for the contact. And he held on to the damn ball. Neither of those is a given, on a play like that. And then he pops up and holds the ball aloft. Heroic.

 

Well he couldn't let Greg Olson show him up.

[notoriousgod71]

 

I honestly don't think Harper had much of a choice on that play. 

 

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/757972691987099648

 

This would have been much better if they called him safe for blocking the plate and then reviewed it for five minutes.

 

Where have you gone, baseball?

[Matt Johnson]

 

This would have been much better if they called him safe for blocking the plate and then reviewed it for five minutes.

 

Where have you gone, baseball?

 

Well, as someone who played catcher and invited a good collision (and boy do I have stories!),

that play really doesn't need to exist in baseball. Think about it... how did that become a thing? And why only on tag plays at home?

[biggentleben]

Exactly 20 years my senior. Always enjoyed finding those guys who I shared a birthday with when I was younger collecting sports cards, and Harper was kind enough to send me one card signed back in a birthday card when I was probably 10-11 years old and sent him a baseball card in the mail to sign.

[theBOMisthebomb]

He had a cool batting stance and swing. Also, cool hair.

[Thrylos]

Current hitting coach for the Iowa Cubs, he managed in lower levels in their organization as well.  This is a guy I would not mind if the Twins bring back...

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

There have been stories told of his mullet once healing a leper. It was an astonishing mullet.

[ashbury]

There have been stories told of his mullet once healing a leper. It was an astonishing mullet.

The problem with the mullet was that it also had the potential to cause leprosy in previously healthy people.