In the 8 seasons since the Canadians short-season inception back in 2000, hundreds of baseball players have come through the gates of the Nat.  Some have made it to the majors, and others to AAA, AA and so on.  But, only a handful of C’s alumni are Canadian-blooded.  One of those cases was Rich Harden, who dominated the NWL before making his Major League debut two years after appearing for the C’s.  Another player was Danny Gibbons, a Toronto boy who donned the red and blue for two seasons.  Remember John Suomi?  Probably not considering he only played here for half of a season in 2002, but the kid from Toronto is now one of the top prospects with the Phillies.  

A guy who was forgotten on the field, more so than off the field was David Harriman.  A catcher who split three seasons in Vancouver, also played with Kane County and as high as Modesto before calling it quits after three seasons in minor league ball.  The best part, was that Harriman was a Surrey native.  He played in a combined 60 games for Vancouver over those three seasons, becoming an immediate fan favourite.  Always the first one on the field, and the last one off signing autographs for fans, David could be considered for one of the best Canadians players of all-time (hello 10th anniversary team).

Now conducting baseball clinics at UBC’s Mizuno School of Baseball, I sat down with him to discuss teammates, the C’s and homeruns.

Jeremy Knight: You played in Vancouver for two and a bit years, and while you were a Canadian in 2003, you were a teammate of David Castillo, who has been suspended three times for steroid use. Is it tough knowing that guys you went up against, or played with, in a way cheated to get better?

David Harriman: It’s a tough question, and I guess that’s what they’re doing in Major League Baseball right now. But the way I look at it is that people will do what they want with their own bodies, and I know from a personal standpoint it was somewhere I didn’t want to go. But, if other people did that it’s not necessarily a quality I respect, but at the same time it’s their body and it’s their life. If that’s what they thought they needed to do that’s life.

I don’t feel bitter about the whole thing, because in the end baseball’s just a game. And, I felt like I had a good run at it. It’s a shame some people feel they need to do that because there is a lot of pressure to succeed in the sport. It’s more of a shame than a bitterness from my standpoint.

JK: Most people would be happy playing professional baseball, but for you getting to play at your home stadium (Nat Bailey Stadium), was that just an extra thing to add to your list of accomplishments during your career?

DH: It was a really nice time to play at home. I got to see my family and my friends; they got to come out and support me. It’s real special whenever you can play professional baseball and show off in front of your friends and family. It makes you think that you’ve done really well to get here. So yeah, it was extra special and was the icing on the cake.

JK: In 2004 you were with Kane County and came back to Vancouver only to battle with four or five different catchers, most of which were drafted pretty high like Landon Powell and Kurt Suzuki. Seeing those guys on TV now, seeing their success in baseball, is it tough knowing that if one of them hadn’t been in Vancouver that could’ve been you?

DH: Well, you know my philosophy has always been to work hard and get better every day, and when certain guys come in there are certain guys with tons of talent. All the hard work in the world can’t always beat talent and all of those guys are talented, and deserve where they’re at. I got to play and I was really happy with the experience I had. I wish I could’ve gone farther, but I enjoyed playing with those guys and I’m glad to see them succeeding.

JK: You’re the last true Canadian position player to play for the Canadians, and coming from the 2002 with Jeff Francis and Adam Loewen, do you think if you were drafted in 2007 you’d be drafted higher (than the 17th round where he was drafted) because of the awareness to Canadian baseball players?

DH: I don’t think I’d be higher because of being so old now [laughs], but if I were younger it’s hard to say. I definitely feel like I know the game a lot better, and I learnt a lot in my time in professional ball. I got a lot better in the years I played pro ball. My catching improved tremendously and I feel like I became a smarter hitter. My average didn’t show that, but I did become smarter as a player. If I was in the right baseball program, maybe, but to be drafted high you have to impress the right people. But, yeah I’ve become a smarter baseball player.

JK: If I remember correctly, your first professional home-run was over the left-field fence at Nat Bailey. Was that a relief to hit it so quickly, in I believe your third game?

DH: It felt really good. I remember it, because it was a really good feeling. I remember the umpire had called it foul, because it hit off the foul pole. It was pretty clearly fair, it hit the pole and fell down. So I was stopped at second base for a while, and then they eventually waved me around. It was a great feeling to run around in my third game, especially since my friends and family could see me do it. Definitely one of the highlights of my career.

JK: Do you still go back to the Nat to watch the current Canadians or the UBC Baseball team?

DH: I haven’t been out to see the UBC baseball team yet, but I caught my second Canadians game since I retired this last year. It was good baseball. It was nice to see it because I went with a friend of mine and we just sat in the bleachers and saw what the up-and-coming kids were doing. It was really good.

JK: In 2004, you were with the Canadians, and after you left, the team went to the NWL Championship Series, before being swept by Boise in three games. Do you think that had you been with the club in the playoffs, you could’ve been a veteran voice in the locker room, and maybe changed the outcome?

DH: It’s so hard to say. The NWL in particular, is a talent-driven league. The team with talent is going to stand out because most of the people there don’t have much experience and aren’t as knowledgeable with the game yet. There are some really smart guys that come out of college, but more guys need to season themselves out of college. A leader can come in, work with the pitching staff and help the club. I don’t know if one player makes a difference in the championship, but I’ve always believed that I can help any team I’m with. I think we would’ve had as good of a shot to get there, if not better. I think we would’ve done pretty well.