CBL mourns the loss of Tim Harkness
Former big leaguer and IBL manager Tim Harkness has died at the age of 87.
Bob Elliott, of the Canadian Baseball Network, was the first to report Harkness’s passing.
“It is with a heavy, heavy heart that my favourite major leaguer, my hero, my dad has passed away – one month from this 88th birthday,” wrote Tim Harkness Jr., on Facebook on November 30. “He will be sorely missed by his beautiful family and his many friends.”
Harkness (Lachine, Que.) played parts of four major league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets from 1961 to 1964 before returning to Canada to become a legendary coach, scout and storyteller..
He also continued to coach. For at least five seasons (2002-03, 2009 to 2011), he was the field manager of the Intercounty Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs. His former Leafs players can recall Harkness throwing batting practice with a cigar in his mouth.
Along the way, Harkness developed into a highly respected scout for the San Diego Padres. In 1996, he was honoured with the Canadian Baseball Network's Scout of the Year award.
Three years after that, he convinced the Padres to draft a young right-hander named Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.) in the 33rd round, but they couldn’t convince Hill to sign.
The next year Hill was chosen by the Expos in the sixth round. He signed with them and went on to pitch parts of seven major league seasons.
Not surprisingly, Harkness shared his love of baseball with his children and grandchildren. According to Bob Elliott, Harkness’s son, also named Tim, has coached the 16U Elite Oshawa Legionaires and the Durham College Lords. His grandsons, Dylan and Brodie, both played collegiate ball.
Later in his life, Harkness settled in Courtice, Ont.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Major League Baseball player, Toronto Maple Leafs Manager, and IBL Champion Tim Harkness,” said the Canadian Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs in a statement.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for Harkness.