Posted on Aug 19, 2003

Union College alumni, Chris Hartnett, Class of 2003, was recently signed as a free agent by the Anaheim Angels and is now pitching with the minor league team, the Mesa Angels. Though a talented and dedicated asset to the Union College baseball team throughout his remarkable four-year career, the left-handed pitcher had to overcome a number of obstacles before he was able to realize his dream of signing a professional baseball contract.

Hartnett's long-term goal of playing professional baseball got its start while he was attending high school at the Albany Academy, where he was a four-year starter for the Cadets.

“I realized that I had talent and that if I worked hard, I could make it,” said Harnett.

He continued to play throughout high school, and after a very successful career, started his search for the right college. He looked at several schools including Boston College, American University, and University of Albany before selecting Union.

“I felt that Union offered the best education, as well as giving me the chance to play baseball,” Harnett said.

Gary Reynolds, Union's head baseball coach and the Dutchmen's all-time leader in coaching victories, knew he had recruited a real gem in the 6'2 Hartnett.

“Chris was a prize recruit from day one,” says Reynolds, who has led Union to 217 victories and two ECAC Upstate New York
championships during his 18-year career. “He was an All-State pitcher in high school, and in college had become one of the best pitchers in New York State, regardless of division.”

Reynolds points to Hartnett's Union College degree in history as one of the reasons that the pitcher has the mindset and confidence to pursue his dream.

“Chris knows he has the education to go through life without baseball,” Reynolds explained. “Chris knows that if he falls short of his dream of playing pro baseball that he has the educational tools necessary to make it in the world outside of athletics.”

Hartnett's freshman year at Union saw him finish with a fantastic earned run average (ERA) of 2.80. By the end of his senior season, Harnett lowered his career ERA to an outstanding 2.61, which
included an earned run averages of 1.91 and 1.94 during his junior and senior seasons, respectively. His fastball, which had topped out at 81mph during his senior year in high school, was clocked at 92 mph during his senior year in a garnet uniform. This improvement was the result of a lot of hard work and dedication on Hartnett's part.

“I ran, ran, ran,” said Hartnett of his intense workout routine. “I tried to run at least three miles a day and to get in a good bike workout. I also lifted more, especially the legs, and built up more strength. I did tons of arm strengthening exercises that were aimed at increasing my strength and flexibility in the elbow and shoulder.”

In addition to his dedication to his daily workouts Hartnett continued to be a strong contributor during practices and in games. Besides his athletic talent, Hartnett played a major leadership role throughout his Dutchman career.

“After his freshman year, Chris became the leader of our pitching staff, both physically and spiritually,” explained Reynolds. “He was captain his senior year and took to the responsibility easily.” Along with talent, Chris Hartnett had drive, and it didn't take long for people to notice.”

Hartnett had a workout with the Pittsburgh Pirates during his junior year. The spring of his senior year, he tried out with Georgia's independent minor league team, the Macon Bulldogs. Hartnett said that he had also made contact with Tampa Bay and San Diego.

“He set his sights on giving a lot of scouts a product to look at,” said Reynolds. “He made himself into a prospect. He was unflappable on the mound. Whether he was supported by 10 runs or one run, no errors or five errors, whether he had great stuff or battled through a game when he had average pitches and location, you could only see a determined, focused player.”

Despite an impressive college career, Hartnett was not able to secure a contract offer by the time he graduated in June. Instead of
becoming discouraged, he continued to work extremely hard while pursuing his dream.

“Playing professional baseball has always been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” recalled Hartnett. “I was determined to work hard and not stop until I reached that goal. It was tough at times because I knew I could play. I just kept on believing in myself and believing that something was going to happen.”

Hartnett went to Reynolds and let him know that he was willing to do anything in order to get a scout to look at him, even if it meant going to the scouts instead of asking them to come to him. With that, Hartnett asked Reynolds to see what he could do.

“Chris understood that an offer to a Division III player is rare,” said Reynolds. “His intelligence and maturity enabled him to realize he may need to go the extra mile to potentially live the 'dream.' I have always been proud of his mindset.”

Click HERE for Chris Harnett's stats
with the Mesa Angels, farm team of
the World Champion
Anaheim Angels.

The history major, with aspirations of attending business school, toyed with the idea of starting a business with his brother in which they would conduct background checks. Though his main goal was baseball, Hartnett engaged in a number of activities during his years at Union. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity, the Student Affairs Council board, and worked in Chet's, one of the student eateries on campus. He was also the Interfraternity Council president during his junior and senior years. Hartnett felt that having a degree under his belt helped his confidence in his pursuit of a professional baseball career. “It makes me feel more comfortable knowing that I can focus all my time and energy into baseball and not have to worry about finishing school later,” he states.

Hartnett's big break finally came during the first week in August when he traveled to Camden Yards in Baltimore, to try out for the World Champion Anaheim Angels. There he had the opportunity to meet manager Mike Scioscia, who led the Angels to their first-ever World Series championship last year, bench coach Joe Maddon, and pitching coach Bud Black, and speak to right fielders Jeff DaVanon and Tim Salmon. More importantly, Hartnett had the chance to show them what he could do on the mound. “Strangely, given the circumstance, I wasn't very nervous,” says Hartnett. “I figured this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm going to enjoy it with no regrets. I was so pumped with adrenaline that I knew I was going to succeed.”

After his tryout, Hartnett returned home and went back to work. A few days later, he spoke to Coach Reynolds who told him that Tom Burns, a scout from Anaheim had called. “I called him back and chatted briefly,” Hartnett recalls. “During the conversation, I never discussed signing or anything like that. It was more along the lines of getting him the information about when I was going to pitch next so he could come out and watch me play.” Later that night after returning home, Hartnett received a call from that same scout. This time, the scout offered him a contract. “I can't describe the overwhelming feeling of pride and accomplishment I had at that moment,” he states, “knowing that all the hard work paid off.”

Now, thanks to a lot of hard work and unstoppable determination, Hartnett is in Arizona living his dream. Reynolds feels that Hartnett, who pitched and played on the East Coast his whole life, may turn out to benefit him. “Chris has pitched less innings, which means that there has been less where and tear on his arm and legs, which will give him more staying power,” Reynolds explained. “His maturity, his willingness to work hard, his determination, his college experience, and the fact that he is a left-handed pitcher with control, gives him a good shot at realizing his dream.”

Chris Hartnett's Union College Dutchman Career: