This Date In Mets History: April 12 - Mets Trade For Pete Harnisch

Seventeen years ago today, on April 12, 1995, the Mets sent some players to be named later (who turned out to be Todd Beckerman and Juan Castillo) to the Houston Astros for right-hander Pete Harnisch. The 1995 season was delayed a couple of weeks by the tail end of the players' strike, and Harnisch earned a no-decision in his first start with the Mets, a 6-5 win over the Cardinals on April 29.

Harnisch missed four months of the 1997 season while in treatment for clinical depression. Upon his return, Harnisch's ineffectiveness prompted manager Bobby Valentine to reassign his pitcher to the bullpen, which led to a confrontation between the two, the culmination of which was the Mets' trading of Harnisch to the Brewers for minor leaguer Donny Moore. In all, Harnisch pitched two-plus seasons with the Mets, going 10-21 with a 4.33 ERA for some mediocre teams.

Birthdays

• Paul Lo Duca (2006-2007) turns 40. He hit .297/.334/.404 with the Mets plus went 5-for-11 with three RBI in the 2006 NLDS against the Dodgers. Also: Captain Red Ass.
• D.J. Carrasco (2011-) turns 35. He had a 6.02 ERA last season and can currently be found on the disabled list with a right ankle injury.
• Danny Garcia (2003-2004) turns 32. He had 237 plate appearances with the Mets over a couple seasons in the early aughts, hitting .227/.345/.361. He was released in January 2005 and signed by the Indians a couple months later, eventually landing with the Yankees later that year, but he never played in the big leagues again.

Last Days

• Nelson Burbrink died on this day in 2001. He was the Mets' director of scouting from 1968-1972 and their director of player development from 1973-1977 (Ultimate Mets Database).

Game Of Note

On April 12, 2009, Johan Santana took on Josh Johnson as the Mets played the Marlins in Florida. Johnson pitched a complete game five-hitter as the Marlins won, 2-1. Santana struck out thirteen and walked just one in seven innings.