Pirates' Harrison On Free Agents: "You Hate To See Anybody Leave"
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pittsburgh Pirates' third baseman Josh Harrison joined The Cook and Poni Show on Wednesday to reflect on his amazing season and his rise from a reserve player to an All-Star and fan favorite and an MVP candidate.
None of what happened for Josh Harrison in 2014 was a surprise to him.
"Not at all," Harrison said. "I know what I'm capable of and this is something I have done my whole life. When I play I make an impact in many different ways."
Harrison said that he knew he would get his chance, whether with the Pirates or another team at some point. He just needed to make sure he was ready when the time came. That time came this year when the Pirates were hit hard with injuries to Neil Walker, Starling Marte and Clint Barmes. There was also the struggles for Pedro Alvarez at third base that made Harrison an everyday player.
"I don't get into what people think or say because nine times out of 10 those people are just fans, and they think they understand the ins and outs of the game," Harrison said. "It's hard to be a guy who doesn't play everyday. You ask anybody who is in that situation all they want is an opportunity to play every day to prove that they can do it because it's what they have done all of their lives. Thank God I had the opportunity this season to play on a nightly basis."
Harrison said there were far too many great moments to remember just one as being his favorite this year and it was also because the team had contributed to so much every night that it wasn't always about him.
One of the guys that helped create so many of those great moments was Pirates catcher Russell Martin who is a free agent and is questionable to return to the Pirates for next season.
"I would love to have him back." Harrison said. "He knows how we feel about him and I know he would love to be back, and you know, we will see how this off-season process goes because you could tell he loves playing with us and we love playing with him, but we also understand the name of the game. You know there is going to be change. He is a guy we would love to have back, but you know we will let that take care of itself. If he is back, you know, we are going to be excited, and if not, we wish him the best, but it's not really for us to worry about. That is for him making sure he is making the best decision for him."
Harrison called him instrumental to the team's success last year and he hopes he returns. The Pirates could also lose free agents pitchers Francisco Liriano and Edison Volquez and shortstop Clint Barmes.
"We certainly would love to have those guys back," Harrison said. "Anytime you have a close knit group as our group was this past year, you hate to see anybody leave."
Harrison is the winner of Chuck Tanner Memorial Award for his contributions to baseball in Pittsburgh. The award will be presented at for 8th Annual "Chuck Tanner Awards Banquet" sponsored by the Pittsburgh Rotary Club on Nov. 15 at the Rivers Club, Downtown Pittsburgh. Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter will receive the Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year.
To purchase tickets to the banquet go to: www.chucktannerbanquet.com.
Listen to the full interview here:
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