Greg Harris

Who is Greg Harris?

Gregory Wade Harris, is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1988 through 1995.

Greg Harris was drafted by the San Diego Padres out of Elon University in the 10th round of the 1985 amateur draft. Primarily a relief pitcher in his early days with the Padres, he transitioned into the starting rotation in 1991. His go-to pitch was a big, sweeping curveball, the best in the National League at the time. His career 2.95 ERA with the Padres is still one of the best ERAs in team history, only surpassed by Trevor Hoffman.

Harris and fellow pitcher Bruce Hurst were shipped off to the Colorado Rockies during the Padres 1993 fire sale, and later finished his career in Minnesota.

Harris' post-career San Diego superior court cases detailed scams and conspiracies that led to financial mismanagement and botched surgeries on his pitching arm and shoulder. The first case, against his surgeon, ended in 1999 with a $6 million verdict in Harris' favor. The second case ended in 2005 with a jury verdict awarding Harris $10 million in damages.

During his career, Harris was often known as Greg W. Harris to differentiate him from fellow pitcher Greg A. Harris, whose career entirely overlapped his.