Remembering Tim Harkness: A Canadian Baseball Pioneer Who Brought Heart, Humor, and Hustle to the Game
Tim Harkness, a beloved figure in Canadian baseball and a former major leaguer with the Dodgers and Mets, has passed away at the age of 87. His impact on the game stretched far beyond his four seasons in the big leagues, as he became a cherished coach, scout, and mentor in Canadian baseball circles for decades.
Harkness’s son, Tim Jr., shared the news on social media, writing, “It is with a heavy, heavy heart that my favourite major leaguer, my hero, my dad has passed away - one month from his 88th birthday. He will be sorely missed by his beautiful family and his many friends.”
And make no mistake-Tim Harkness left a legacy that went well beyond the box scores.
A Quebec Kid with Big League Dreams
Born December 23, 1937, in Lachine, Quebec, Harkness was a dual-sport standout in his youth, excelling on both the baseball diamond and the hockey rink. But it was his bat that caught the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies, who signed the power-hitting first baseman out of the Montreal sandlots before the 1956 season.
At the time, MLB had strict rules about signing bonuses. Harkness recalled in a 1985 interview that the Phillies offered him $16,000, but only $4,000 could be paid up front without placing him on the major league roster.
“They promised to pay me the rest later,” he said. It was a fitting start for a player whose career would be filled with twists, turns, and a whole lot of heart.
Climbing the Minor League Ladder
Harkness began his professional career with the Olean Oilers in the Class-D Pony League, hitting .251 with five homers in 56 games. But it was the following season, after being traded to the Dodgers, that he really started to find his swing. With Class-D Kokomo, he batted .349, launched 14 home runs, and drove in 74 runs across 87 games-good enough to earn a brief promotion to the triple-A Montreal Royals.
From there, Harkness kept grinding through the Dodgers’ farm system. His breakout came in 1960 with the double-A Atlanta Crackers, where he hit .293 with 28 home runs and 111 RBIs in 151 games-a monster season that put him on the radar for a big-league call-up.
Breaking Through with the Dodgers
That call finally came in September 1961 after a strong showing in triple-A Spokane. Harkness made the most of his brief audition, going 4-for-8 with two doubles and four runs scored in five games. That performance earned him a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster in 1962.
Used mostly as a pinch-hitter and late-game defensive replacement at first base, Harkness still managed to hit .258 and posted a solid .370 on-base percentage over 92 games-an impressive showing for a player in a limited role.
Making Mets History
On November 30, 1962, Harkness was traded to the New York Mets-who had just wrapped up a historically rough 120-loss inaugural season. Mets manager Casey Stengel handed Harkness the keys to first base, and the Canadian slugger responded with a solid campaign: 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 123 games played.
But it was one swing in particular that etched his name into Mets lore. On June 26, 1963, with the Mets trailing the Cubs 6-4 in the 14th inning at the Polo Grounds, Harkness stepped up with the bases loaded and two outs-and crushed a walk-off grand slam. It was the first walk-off grand slam in Mets history, and it came on a sweltering summer day in front of a raucous New York crowd.
Later that season, on September 9, Harkness made more Mets history by becoming the first player in franchise history to steal three bases in a single game-no small feat for a guy not known for his wheels.
A Final Big League Moment at Shea
In 1964, Harkness returned as the Mets’ starting first baseman and added another milestone to his resume. In the third inning of the team’s home opener at the brand-new Shea Stadium, he singled to right field-recording the first hit by a Met at their new ballpark.
Though his time with the Mets would end that July with a trade to the Cincinnati Reds, Harkness continued to grind. The Reds assigned him to triple-A San Diego, where he finished out the season.
“They had no place for me,” he later said in a 2007 interview. “They asked me to go down to triple-A and I expressed my frustrations.”
He’d spend two more seasons in the minors before stepping away from playing professionally.
Giving Back to the Game
Harkness didn’t just walk away from baseball-he brought it home. He returned to Quebec to manage the Lachine Mets of the Provincial League and later settled in Oshawa, Ontario, where he worked as a sales manager and stayed deeply involved in the sport.
In the 1980s and early ’90s, he played a key role with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s management team in Toronto. But his most lasting impact may have come as a coach and mentor. He managed the Intercounty Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs for several seasons between 2002 and 2011, known for throwing batting practice with a cigar clenched between his teeth and a story always at the ready.
Players loved him. Coaches respected him. And scouts listened when he talked.
A Scout with an Eye for Talent
Harkness’s baseball IQ and people skills made him a natural scout. Working for the San Diego Padres, he earned the Canadian Baseball Network’s Scout of the Year award in 1996.
Three years later, he pushed hard for the Padres to draft a young right-hander named Shawn Hill out of Georgetown, Ontario. Though Hill didn’t sign with San Diego, he was later selected by the Expos and went on to pitch in the majors for seven seasons.
Harkness had an eye for talent-but more than that, he had a passion for helping young players chase their dreams.
A Baseball Family
That love for the game didn’t stop with him. Harkness passed it down to his children and grandchildren.
His son, Tim Jr., has coached both the 16U Elite Oshawa Legionaires and the Durham College Lords. His grandsons, Dylan and Brodie, both played collegiate baseball-proof that the Harkness name is still very much part of the Canadian baseball fabric.
In his later years, Harkness lived in Courtice, Ontario, where he remained a beloved figure in the local baseball community.
The Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League released a statement following his passing: “We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Major League Baseball player, Toronto Maple Leafs Manager, and IBL Champion Tim Harkness.”
A Celebration of Life is being planned.
Final Thoughts
Tim Harkness wasn’t just a ballplayer-he was a storyteller, a mentor, a scout, a coach, and a friend to anyone who loved the game. Whether it was in a big-league clubhouse, a minor league dugout, or a Canadian ballfield on a summer night, he brought energy, humor, and passion wherever he went.
He may have played just four seasons in the majors, but his impact on baseball-especially in Canada-spanned generations. And that’s the kind of legacy that never fades.