Miami Marlins Forgotten Stars: Remembering Bryan Harvey
Bryan Harvey was one of the best closers in baseball at the beginning of the 1990's. On his 54th birthday, let's look back at one of the first stars in Miami Marlins franchise history.
An undrafted free agent, it did not take long for Bryan Harvey to prove himself in the Angels organization. Signed in 1984, he rocketed through the system, making his debut just over three years later. By the time the 1988 season ended, Harvey had established himself as the Angels closer, notching 17 saves with a 2.13 ERA and a 1.039 WHiP, striking out 67 batters in 76 innings. That effort led to a second place finish in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting, as he finished behind Walt Weiss.
Harvey continued to perform well, saving 25 games in both 1989 and 1990 before his breakout campaign in 1991. That season, he led the American League with 46 saves and made his first All Star Game. In his 78.2 innings, he posted a 1.60 ERA and a 0.864 WHiP, striking out 101 batters with just 17 walks. He signed a long term extension that offseason, and appeared to be the next top closer in the game.
However, he injured his elbow during the 1992 campaign. While he still pitched well prior to the injury, the Angels thought that Harvey's career was over. As such, they left him unprotected in the Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the Miami Marlins with the 20th pick.
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That decision worked out well for the Marlins. Harvey proved to be healthy once again, and was a force at the back end of the bullpen. In making his second All Star Game, Harvey notched 45 saves, while posting a 1.70 ERA and a 0.841 WHiP. Although he was not the same strikeout pitcher he had been before the injury, Harvey still struck out 73 batters in 69 innings.
Unfortunately, his elbow gave out once again. He pitched well in the beginning of the 1994 campaign before his elbow gave out during an outing against the Braves. Harvey attempted to come back later that year, making four appearances in June, but was hammered before going back on the shelf. One final disastrous appearance in 1995, where all three of the batters he faced came around to score, ended his time in the majors.
For that one season in Miami, Harvey was a star. In fact, he was one of the first true stars on the team, the rare closer to lead his team in WAR. He and Gary Sheffield were the Marlins first All Stars, as he found success once again. Unfortunately, his elbow just could not handle the strain.
A steal in the Expansion Draft, Bryan Harvey had a great season for the Miami Marlins. However, his elbow did not have much more left after that initial campaign.
