Aaron Harang, a towering right-handed pitcher, spent over a decade in Major League Baseball, leaving a lasting presence on the mound. Born on May 9, 1978, in San Diego, California, Harang attended Patrick Henry High School before playing college baseball at San Diego State University. His professional journey began when the Texas Rangers selected him in the sixth round of the 1999 MLB Draft. However, it was with the Oakland Athletics that Harang made his major league debut on May 25, 2002.
Harang's early years in the majors were marked by his time with the Athletics, where he showed potential as a starting pitcher. In 2003, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, a move that would define much of his career. With the Reds, Harang developed into a reliable starter, known for his durability and ability to eat innings. His best seasons came in 2006 and 2007, when he consistently ranked among the National League leaders in strikeouts and innings pitched.
In 2006, Harang achieved a career-high 16 wins, finishing the season with a 3.76 ERA and 216 strikeouts. His performance earned him a fourth-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting. The following year, he continued to excel, posting another 16-win season with a 3.73 ERA and 218 strikeouts. Harang's ability to maintain a high strikeout rate while limiting walks made him a valuable asset to the Reds' rotation.
Despite his success, Harang's tenure with the Reds was not without challenges. Injuries and inconsistency plagued his later years in Cincinnati, leading to a decline in performance. In 2010, he parted ways with the Reds and signed with the San Diego Padres, returning to his hometown. His stint with the Padres was brief but effective, as he posted a 14-7 record with a 3.64 ERA in 2011.
Harang's career continued with several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies. While he never replicated the peak performance of his Cincinnati years, Harang remained a dependable veteran presence in the rotation. In 2014, with the Braves, he enjoyed a resurgence, finishing the season with a 12-12 record and a 3.57 ERA over 204.1 innings pitched.
Throughout his career, Harang was known for his workhorse mentality, often ranking among the league leaders in games started and innings pitched. His ability to consistently take the mound every fifth day made him a valuable asset to any team he joined. Harang retired after the 2015 season, concluding a career that spanned 14 seasons in the major leagues.
Aaron Harang's legacy in baseball is defined by his durability and consistency as a starting pitcher.
⚾