Brian Harper
From BR Bullpen
Brian David Harper
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
- High School San Pedro High School
- Debut September 29, 1979
- Final Game April 29, 1995
- Born October 16, 1959 in Los Angeles, CA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Brian Harper was a catcher in the 1980s and early 1990s and a member of the Minnesota Twins World Series-winning team in 1991. He started out with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 then bounced around between the majors and AAA and from organization to organization for almost a decade before finding a home as the Twins' starting catcher. He was a line drive hitter with limited power and questionable defense, but his ability to hit for average kept him in the line-up for a number of years in spite of his late start.
Harper was the head coach of Scottsdale Christian High School from 1996-1998 and the Arizona Diamondbacks' chapel leader in 1998-1999. In 2000, he was an assistant at Desert Mountain High School. Also that year, he played one final professional game, with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers. As the starting catcher that day, he went 0-4 while striking out and grounding into a double play.
After managing the AZL Angels from 2001 to 2005, Harper moved up to manager of the Salt Lake Bees of the Pacific Coast League. Harper was the roving Minor League catching instructor for the San Francisco Giants in 2008 and 2009. Returning to the dugout, he became the manager of the San Jose Giants in 2010, leading them to the California League championship in his first season.
Harper's brother Glenn Harper was an OF/P in the New York Mets chain, and his son Brett Harper is a 1B/3B in the Blue Jays system.
[edit] Notable Achievement
- Won a World Series with the Minnesota Twins in 1991
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | AZL Angels | Arizona League | 22-34 | 7th | Anaheim Angels | |
| 2002 | AZL Angels | Arizona League | 28-28 | 4th | Anaheim Angels | |
| 2003 | AZL Angels | Arizona League | 20-29 | 7th | Anaheim Angels | |
| 2004 | AZL Angels | Arizona League | 12-43 | 9th | Anaheim Angels | |
| 2005 | AZL Angels | Arizona League | 25-31 | 7th | Los Angeles Angels | |
| 2006 | Salt Lake Bees | Pacific Coast League | 81-63 | 3rd | Los Angeles Angels | Lost in 1st round |
| 2007 | Salt Lake Bees | Pacific Coast League | 74-69 | 7th | Los Angeles Angels | Lost in 1st round |
| 2010 | San Jose Giants | California League | 76-64 | 3rd | San Francisco Giants | League Champs |
| 2011 | Tennessee Smokies | Southern League | 83-57 | 2nd | Chicago Cubs | Lost League Finals |
| 2012 | Daytona Cubs | Florida State League | Chicago Cubs |
