Cardinals Draft Pick Mitch Harris Headed for War, Not the Minor Leagues

If it were 40 years ago and you mentioned getting drafted, military service would be assumed. Now, even though we're at war, being drafted is a happy moment. For Mitch Harris, though, getting drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals has been followed by his assignment to active duty in the Navy.

Harris, a pitcher, went to the Naval Academy and was selected in the 13th round of last week's draft. The Navy denied his bid to go play ball and assigned him to report to active duty on Monday. Harris says he understands but still knows he's missing his only shot at a shot at the big leagues. He wanted to find a way to juggle his service as well as his baseball career.

"If I don't get that chance (to play baseball) right now, I'll never get it again. And to fulfill a goal of getting to the pros, it's sad that they would take it away from me. No one's willing to stick their neck out. It stinks ... it's upsetting."

Harris was given a free education in exchange for five years of active duty. I feel bad that he won't have a chance at pursuing the big leagues but his comments sound a lot like someone who's trying to have their cake and eat it too. War or not, Harris made this deal and the Navy lived up to their side of it, it's his turn to live up to his end.

You might recall a bit of a firestorm when another service academy athlete, Caleb Campbell, was drafted by the Detroit Lions in April. The Army will let him out of his active service, he'll do recruiting and reserve work instead, and were met with many complaints from people who thought he should serve out his commitment. They made the same call about two baseball players drafted last week. The Army has an alternative service option in place and it is implemented on a case-by-case basis.

The Navy used to have a similar program of early release. David Robinson, for example, served two years then became a reserve. They suspended the policy in 2007, however, and even under the old policy Harris wouldn't be free to start playing baseball immediately.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

6-14-2008 @ 9:51AM

larry godden said...

STOP=America=HeTook=5Yrs=FREE=COLLEGE&Clothing&Food EvenA$Salary=HeWouldn't=BeInCollegeFor$Sports$Draft ExceptForOurTaxes&NowHeWantsToWALkAway?NoWay=MakeHim
PayWithIntrest=HeTookA FortuneToEducate&Feed&House&5 YrSalary$160,000+NowHeWantsOUT?=HeMadeACommittmentOK
HeMustServeOrPay$1=Maybe$2Million=AnyKid Would BegFor
SuchA Deal=SoPay$1/$2MillonsOrSERVE&ShutUP&Be A MAN
TimeToMAN UP BABY BOY YouWantRichesOKPayUsBackFirst
We areThePeople Who Paid Your Way&You Owe US NOW=

6-18-2008 @ 9:14PM

ufg8rjim said...

I've got an idea Josh. If you're going to write for a living, how about doing so in complete sentences? Does this sentence make any sense to you:

"The Army will let him out of his active service, he'll do recruiting and reserve work instead, and were met with many complaints from people who thought he should serve out his commitment."

That attempt at a sentence is also not accurate. The Army didn't let him out of his active service, they agreed to let him serve it stateside as a recruiter instead of deploying him to Iraq.

And how about this:

"David Robinson, for example, served two years then became a reserve."

David Robinson became a reserve? Really? How about a reservist?

Or this:

"Harris says he understands but still knows his missing his only shot at a shot at the big leagues. "

It obviously should state he's missing his only shot.

That's a lot of mistakes in a short post. Pay closer attention to detail.

6-18-2008 @ 9:06PM

Glenn Gibbons said...

If President "W" didn't have to fulfill his commitments why should this guy ?????

6-18-2008 @ 9:09PM

I guess maybe because his Daddy didn't have the same pull !!!!!!

6-18-2008 @ 9:31PM

boredwell said...

Duh! Knowing this clause, why was he put into the Draft in the 1st place. It's a mindset of "If wishes were food than beggars would dine."

6-18-2008 @ 9:43PM

LEB532 said...

It's amazing that Ensign Harris isn't perceptive enough to notice that he's actually surrounded by people willing to stick their necks out. His Naval Academy classmates, teammates, Alumni, and fellow servicemen have all been willing to do so through their commitments to serve their nation and fellow countrymen. Many of the men and women who have preceeded him at Annapolis have made the ultimate sacrifice a result of living up to that committment. He's made the same committment and sworn the same oath to serve - appears he's the only one not willing to stick their neck out.
Luckily for Mitch, the St. Louis Cardinals appear willing to draft a man who's not willing to live up to his committments. I expect they will be forgiving of his flawed character. It's evident he's comfortable with it.
I doubt the Sailors he's charged to lead, his peers, and the Naval Officers he's tasked to follow will be as forgiving. Perhaps the Navy and this Nation are better off without Mitch Harris having to stick his neck out on their behalf.

6-18-2008 @ 9:46PM

James whiting said...

A lot of people don't remember 1 person who never thought of asking out of his obligations after he graduated from the Navy acadamy. He served during the Vietnam era in 1968. I met this outstanding person whem I was stationed at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida after my return from Vietnam. This person was a great football player. Have you guessed who he is. Tell Mitch Harris to call LT Roger Stauback, USN and ask his opinion about serving his country.

6-18-2008 @ 9:56PM

Angela said...

Sorry to hear you have to give up the things you consider important........playing ball..... a comfy place to live.....and huge salary.....(maybe)..... and shame on any team who would consider you if you want to back out of your military obligations! Think of all the men and women who have served and sacrificed for you......and for all of us....... suck it up........quit whining........and do what you signed up for before "something better" came along.......

6-18-2008 @ 10:09PM

jp said...

The more quiet this kid is about going the better the man he will be. As a Naval Academy graduate I'm certain he knows the right thing to do.

6-18-2008 @ 10:29PM

FACEMONKEY429 said...

WELL I'M SURE SORRY FOR THIS YOUNG MAN BEING DRAFTED AND ALL BUT IF HE SURVIVES HIS TOUR OF DUTY WITH ALL OF HIS FINGERS AND TOES HE'LL BE ABLE TO PITCH ALL THE BASEBALLS HE WANTS.

6-18-2008 @ 10:30PM

gerald saunders said...

Welcome to the Fleet, pal.
USNA '69

6-18-2008 @ 10:34PM

Duke 64 said...

Poor baby.
"No one is willing to stick his neck out for him."
"It is upsetting."
Heck. I think that Annapolis should be investigated
for allowing him to graduate.
I mean, how dumb is he?

6-18-2008 @ 10:42PM

pd39 said...

Can you imagine Ted Williams whining like this?

Hey, Navy, release him.

The attitude he's showing here will be more dangerous for those under him. He only wants to care for #1, and is a danger to others. Let him get his shot and fame then sue him for the cost of his education at the Academy.

6-18-2008 @ 10:54PM

mengel said...

roger staubach fullfilled his commitment to the navy
and went on to play for the DALLAS COWBOYS
he knew he would have to serve five years when
he signed the papers. It isn't like he got drafted
like ELVIS was. If he wanted to play ball he should
have gone to college somewhere else.

6-18-2008 @ 10:53PM

I can't wait to forward this story to my husband, currently serving his fourth combat tour.

6-18-2008 @ 11:34PM

Dennis Robart said...

If some HS grad kid could "voluntarily" serve as a 18 year old teen in SAC back in the 70's, then someone with a Uncle Sam funded 4 year college degree can do so TODAY as well :)

509 OMS- 1977 8 AF MSET Winners, Best Maintenance Sq.- 8 AF (SAC)

6-18-2008 @ 11:06PM

Dougger said...

As far as the USNavy is concerned, I'm told that recruits are allowed to refuse PT, no longer do close order drill, and are permitted to rescend their contracts and go home if it becomes "too difficult" for them. How depressing that Annapolis seems to be operating under the same guidelines. Depressing...actually its frightening! These are the men and women we are trusting to defend us? OK, maybe that's a little harsh, but Roger Stauback was mentioned. He performed his obligatory active service without public complaint, and went on to become one of the NFL's best QBs ever. Shows it can be done. This young man made a commitment, and he needs to live up to it. Period.

6-19-2008 @ 3:00AM

ATFantasia said...

After 15 years in the Army as a medic I have seen good athletes come and go. Many were happy to serve their country and compete for their service, but others wanted to live the Super Star life. For the most part I would root for them, but as soon as they put their hopes and dreams ahead of their soldiers, sailors, airmen, and team mates then I lose any compassion for them. It is fine to have goals that motivate you to be your best and achieve greatness in any form, it is another thing altogether to scoff at your obligations and commitments because you don't get what you want. As a service member you have to rely on your team and they have to be able to rely on you. Hopefully, as this young man goes through his career he will see what team work really is. I have been to Afgahnistan and Iraq, and I wish that on no person, but it is a requirement of the job, and one that will open his eyes to reality whether he likes it or not. Hopefully he will see this light before it is too late for him or anyone under his command.

6-19-2008 @ 10:22PM

Marine163 said...

1. Stop Whining and honor your commitment!!!

2. If you can't act like an man write a check to the tax payers for your high priced education and training.

3. Give back the pay that the taxpayers gave you while you were "getting educated"!!!

4. GET BENT and MOVE to CUBA!!!

6-18-2008 @ 11:59PM

tmiller said...

As a retired Chief Petty Officer I think he needs to serve his time. I he wanted to play bal he should have went to a college, not a Military Academy!