Questioning Authority with Harkey

This week, first-year Iowa Cubs pitching coach Mike Harkey took some time to talk with MiLB.com. The fourth player drafted in the first round in 1987, Harkey spent time playing for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, California Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers. Harkey's best year came in 1990 when he went 12-6 with a 3.26 ERA. He finished his Major League career with 36 wins, 36 losses and a 4.49 ERA.

Following his playing days, Harkey joined the Padres' Minor League coaching staff in stints at Rancho Cucamonga (2000), Fort Wayne (2000 and '03), Lake Elsinore (2002 and '04) and Mobile (2005), before working as the bullpen coach for the Marlins in 2006.

Minorleaguebaseball.com: What do you remember most about your first time around in the Minor Leagues?

Mike Harkey: It was different. From college to pro ball, everything was different, it was a little intimidating. It just felt different once you started getting paid for it; it felt different because most guys didn't work, they just played. My first job was when I was 16, then when I got my first paycheck as a pro baseball player.

MiLB.com: Have times changed that much? How different are the Minors from when you were a player?

MH: Probably the biggest difference is players are rushed more today. They don't spend as much time in the Minors because of Major League salaries. A lot of big-league teams tend to bring kids up on minimum salaries instead of paying a middle-of-the-road big leaguer more money.

MiLB.com: Life in the Minors can be surreal. What's your favorite tale of the Minors, either as a player or on the bench? It doesn't have to involve you, but it should be something you witnessed.

MH: I don't have a lot of comical things, but I enjoyed my time as a player. I felt more fulfilled, though, as a coach; getting guys to realize their potential is more fulfilling than realizing my own. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I didn't love playing, but the coaching is more fulfilling.

MiLB.com: How have teammates you played with in the bigs reacted to your current gig?

MH: It's strange because my really close friends and former teammates are now all coaching or managing in some form. We can all relate and respect each other's new position.

MiLB.com: Do the guys on your team know much about you and your history as a player?

MH: I don't know about my current team because I just got there, but the guys on my former team mostly all knew. I'm sure it won't take long for the new ones to find out; it's usually the first question they ask, "Did you play in the bigs?" or "Hey, I remember you."

MiLB.com: What have the players on your team taught you? Do they keep you up-to-date on pop culture?

MH: Well, I have an 18- and 17-year-old so being in touch with pop culture isn't really a problem for me. It's more like I could keep the guys up to date on that stuff instead.

MiLB.com: What kind of reaction do you get from fans?

MH: Positive mostly. I hope I've made a positive impression with the people who remember. The more time passes, the less people there are that know you because crowds are getting younger and younger. It'll be different in Iowa because people will have been Cubs fans since the 1950s.

MiLB.com: What city or cities do you most look forward to stopping in during the season?

MH: There aren't that many in Triple-A, but in the Majors, I loved going to Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco because I could see my family. I'm a West Coast guy, so anything out there is great.

MiLB.com: What's the toughest part of the job?

MH: Personally, it's being away from my family for five months at a time.

MiLB.com: Do you have a favorite promotion?

MH: My favorite entertainer, and this was when I was playing in Fort Wayne as a Minor Leaguer, was Myron Noodleman. I saw him a lot in Fort Wayne and always loved his act.