Willie Harris: Former Champion to First-Year Manager
Winston-Salem Dash manager Willie Harris was known as a jack-off-all-trades during his playing career. A member of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox, he played six different positions during a 12-year career in the Major Leagues.
But standing in front of cameras and reporters during the Dash’s 2017 Media Day, the former utility man couldn’t help but smile when asked what prior experience he has in his new role.
“Zero,” he said with a laugh. “But, I know baseball. “
Hard to argue, there. That’s why the White Sox are counting on this first-year manager to help bring along a new era of baseball on the South Side of Chicago.
A 78–84 finish last season prompted White Sox general manager Rick Hahn to blow things up and start over. The team traded former Dash pitcher and five-time All-Star Chris Sale to the Red Sox for star prospects like infielder Yoan Moncada (No. 2 overall on MLB.com’s top-100 list), right-hander Michael Kopech (No. 15 overall) and outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe (No. 8 on the White Sox list). Shortly thereafter, Hahn dealt away star outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals for three highly-touted pitching prospects — Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and 2016 first-round pick Dane Dunning.
While the White Sox are staring at a full-on rebuild, Harris noticed a jolt in the atmosphere during Spring Training.
“The energy was there man, and it all started with the Chris Sale trade. We got a ton of prospects with that move,” said Harris. “We have some talent coming.”
The White Sox are hoping this influx of prospects can, in time, bring what Harris and his teammates brought to Chicago in 2005 — a championship. After being drafted by Baltimore in the 24th round of the 1999 Draft and making his MLB debut in 2001, Harris moved onto the White Sox the following season. While he was mostly used as a utility player from 2002–05, his final appearance with the team etched his name into franchise lore.
In Game 4 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros, with the contest scoreless through the first seven innings, Harris started off the 8th with a pinch-hit single. After moving to third with two outs, Jermaine Dye drove him home on an RBI single to provide the lone run of the game and help the White Sox clinch their first title in 88 years.
That would hardly be the last of Harris, as he played with five more teams before retiring — Boston Red Sox (2006), Atlanta Braves (2007), Washington Nationals (2008–10), New York Mets (2011) and Cincinnati Reds (2012). He finished his MLB career with 1,046 games played, 580 hits, 107 stolen bases, 39 home runs and 212 RBIs.
Harris’ hard work allowed him to enjoy success in the big leagues, but he feels fortunate enough to have played for some great skippers along the way.
“I was able to play for [Hall of Famer] Bobby Cox [in Atlanta] and Dusty Baker [in Cincinnati]. I played for some really good managers and they instilled in me the determination to be great at the game of baseball,” said Harris.
His time with those two ultimately made him interested in managing. Although he took some time off after his retirement in 2012, he was itching for a return to baseball.
“I feel like I had too much energy to be sitting at home on the couch, when I feel like I can help a player out.” said the Dash’s new skipper.
Last year, he finally came back to the professional ranks. Harris served as the hitting coach for rookie-level Great Falls, helping to guide the Voyagers to a berth in the Pioneer League Championship Series. The former White Sox admits, while he is still feeling out his new duties in the dugout, he knows what he brings to the table.
“I’m a great communicator,” said Harris. “I know how to look at a player and see whether or not he is struggling mentally. I can pull him to the side and say, ‘Hey, get out of your own way. Just play the game.’”
Regardless of his experience, his presence with the Dash is fitting. With the moves made in the offseason, it’s a new start for almost everybody in the White Sox organization. And while the former champion will be a first-year manager, the franchise has entrusted him to help bring along the next crop of Major League talent.
“We have some people who can play,” said Harris. “It’s all up to me to put them in the right situation to succeed and go from there.”
-Joe