In a long-awaited resolution, Brian Harkins, the former Los Angeles Angels clubhouse attendant, has settled his defamation lawsuit against his former employer. This agreement brings an end to a three-year saga that saw the case initially dismissed but later revived by the Court of Appeals. Harkins had been fired in March 2020 during Major League Baseball’s (MLB) crackdown on the use of foreign substances by players to manipulate ball spin rates.
The Controversial Role of Harkins
Since 1990, Harkins had served as the visiting clubhouse attendant at Angel Stadium. Throughout his tenure, he had been creating a blend of rosin, pine tar, and “Mota stick” for pitchers to improve their grip on the ball. However, this popular mixture violated a memo from former MLB executive Chris Young, which strictly prohibited the use of illegal substances and any facilitation of their usage by team personnel.
Harkins’ attorneys argued that their client was unfairly portrayed as a “scapegoat” in MLB’s campaign against illegal substances. They pointed out that the entire baseball industry, including players, umpires, coaches, and executives, had turned a blind eye to this issue for years due to its perceived advantages. It was a known fact that baseballs were often too slick for pitchers to handle effectively, hence making the use of illegal substances appealing.
While Harkins denied selling the concoction as a side business, he admitted to accepting up to $100 from players for it. Additionally, he claimed that he was never provided with a copy of the memo prohibiting such substances, which had been circulated just days before his termination.
Text Messages and the Revival of the Lawsuit
In January 2021, Harkins’ original defamation lawsuit was dismissed. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Orange County 4th District Court of Appeals overturned the decision in February 2022. During this process, text messages were revealed, showing that prominent pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer had requested Harkins’ mixture. This discovery further fueled the controversy surrounding the use of foreign substances in baseball.
The Battle in Court
The impending trial in Orange County Superior Court, set to begin this week, led to tense negotiations between Harkins and the Los Angeles Angels. The parties were reportedly at odds regarding a potential settlement. Nevertheless, they managed to bridge the divide over the weekend and confidentially agreed on a resolution. The exact amount of the settlement remains undisclosed.
The Conclusion
With the settlement reached, both parties have chosen not to comment further on the matter. The case of Brian Harkins’ defamation lawsuit serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding the use of foreign substances in baseball and the repercussions it can have on individuals involved. While this chapter has come to a close, the impact of this saga is likely to reverberate throughout the baseball community for years to come.
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