The Ultimate Holdout

Up in St. Joseph, Missouri Tuesday night, the Fort Worth Cats came up short against the St. Joe Blacksnakes, losing 9-6 in an independent American Association game. Reliever Matt Harrington didn't get into the game, but trust me, he's been in enough games already for the Cats.

Back in 2000, at the age of 18, Matt Harrington was the 7th player chosen in the Major League Baseball draft. Seventh. He was chosen before Chase Utley in that draft. And Joe Borchard and Adam Wainwright. The team that chose Harrington, the Colorado Rockies, was offering a $4 million dollar signing bonus (more than what the #1 pick of the previous year's draft signed for), but Harrington wanted $4.95 million, and the two just couldn't bridge the gap. Harrington didn't sign and sat out the season. No college or independent league...just waiting it out.

In 2001, after a year away from the game, the 19-year old slipped a little in the draft, going 58th overall to the San Diego Padres in the 2nd round. The Padres offered Harrington a $1.2 million dollar signing bonus, but that wasn't enough. Harrington passed on the deal and instead pitched in a couple of independent leagues. Another season went by.

By 2002, now 2 years removed from high school, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays took a gamble on Harrington in the 13th round. People began to question if Harrington wanted to play pro baseball. When he turned down their offer, Harrington became the longest holdout in MLB history.

2003 was the Cincinnati Reds turn, but their 24th round pick didn't like their offer either. Instead, he joined the Fort Worth Cats.

In 2004, the New York Yankees became the fifth team to draft Matt Harrington, this time in the 36th round. Word is they never got around to offering him a contract. Another year with the Cats.

In 2005, something happened that hadn't happened since 1999...no one drafted Matt Harrington. Finally a free agent, able to sign with any team he wanted to, Matt Harrington found himself back for a 3rd season in Fort Worth. According to Baseball America, by now Harrington was working at Target in the offseason to make ends meet.

Now in 2006, the Cats' season is barely 10 games old, and Harrington is in the bullpen, ready if they need him. Heading into his 4th season with the team, Matt Harrington's career record with them is 10-11 with a 4.00 ERA, with over $5 million in turned down signing bonuses.

If you are in the Fort Worth area some time, swing by LaGrave Field and take in a Cats game. You can tell people you've seen the only player ever drafted 5 times who never put his name on the dotted line...