Matt Harrington is known for a notable and somewhat unusual story in baseball history. He was a highly touted pitcher in the late 1990s and early 2000s, drafted in the first round of the MLB draft not once, but five times, between 2000 and 2002. Each time he was drafted, he opted not to sign a contract, which was unprecedented and drew considerable attention.
Harrington’s saga began when he was first drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2000 as the 7th overall pick. Despite negotiations, he didn’t sign a contract due to disputes over the terms. Over the next few years, he was drafted by different teams but never signed a professional contract. His draft positions ranged from 7th overall (2000, Rockies) to 58th overall (2001, Padres), and finally, in 2002, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 13th round. He then got drafted by the Red’s in the 24th round in 2003 and the Yankees took a shot in the 36th round in 2004. He never came to any contract agreement on any of his 5 draft selections.
Reasons for not signing varied but included disagreements over signing bonuses and contract terms, as well as advice from his agent and family. His decisions made him a cautionary tale about the risks and uncertainties of the MLB draft process and the pressures young athletes face in negotiating their first professional contracts.
Despite never playing in Major League Baseball, Harrington’s story remains a unique chapter in the sport’s history, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by young prospects navigating the professional sports world.
I am always intrigued by strange sports stories about players and teams. Even if it is sports I’m not into. I thought I’d share a fascinating one with you.
-Ryan