Harnisch Gets Comeback Game Behind Him

Pete Harnisch bounced around the New York Mets’ clubhouse before Tuesday night’s game with St. Louis with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas Eve.

His poster-sized smile, his body language - they screamed that he could not wait to take the mound for the first time since going on the disabled list with depression four months ago.

And, naturally, a late-afternoon shower was drenching the field.

“Typhoon Gloria’s outside on the day I’m going to pitch,” he said.

Less than 2 hours later, however, after warming up, Harnisch stepped through the puddles and into the dugout as fans stood and cheered. He retired the Cardinals in order in the first inning, and fans clapped again as he walked off the field. He wound up pitching six innings and gave up five hits and two runs.

Donna Harnisch, his wife, watched from the stands behind home plate. “I want him to get over the hump,” she said earlier in the day, “and get past the illness. Tonight’s game will do that. I want to move on - so he’s looked at as a pitcher, not so much being this depressed person.”

The Harnisches received hundreds of letters, most offering their own stories of how they or someone in their family suffered from depression. Pete Harnisch sent them autographed baseball cards with one word above his signature: Thanks. “He figured they would understand that,” Donna Harnisch said.

Mets pitching coach Bob Apodaca warned Harnisch before he took the mound Tuesday to be aware his emotions. Understand you’re going to be excited. Then move past that and concentrate on pitching. “I’m sure he’s thought a lot about this day,” Apodaca said. “I’m sure this is like Groundhog Day to him, something he’s done over and over in his mind.”