MLB: Ten Most Bizarre Injuries in Baseball History
By David Hill
9. Mike Harkey blows out knee performing catwheel
For some players, gymnastics are a part of their daily routine. Ozzie Smith is remembered not just for his glove, but for his backflip when heading out on the field. However, there is a reason why those moves come with the ‘Do not try this at home’ disclaimer.
Even professional athletes need to take care when performing such stunts, as Chicago Cubs starter Mike Harkey found out. He was in the midst of a solid year after being called up to the minors, having posted a 4-0 record with a 1.89 ERA and a 1.289 WHiP in seven starts when he decided to impress his teammates by doing a cartwheel.
Now, Harkey was a relatively large fellow, standing in at 6’5″ and weighing 225 pounds. People that size typically do not fare well when attempting such a move, and Harkey was no different. Not only did his attempt at the cartwheel go awry, but he also blew out his knee, ending his season and cutting into the following year, as he did not return until the middle of April.
It is difficult to say how much this injury hampered Harkey during the rest of his career. He was a talented pitcher with great stuff, but he had a bad shoulder. Harkey pitched well in 1990, but the Cubs switch to a four man rotation led to surgery that caused him to miss most of 1991, and he was never the same again.
Leave the cartwheels to the professionals, and let the tale of Mike Harkey, who failed in his attempt to impress his teammates, serve as a cautionary tale.
Next: Watch out for the tarp!