Dear SuburbTalk readers: This is the first in a new series written by Jon Gardner, Assistant Curator of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. Each month, he will preview a new, featured display at the museum. In July, he will share background on Arlington Heights’ native, Brett Harris, now playing in the major leagues. The display will feature his Hersey High School jersey and glove, as well as his remarkable story. Here’s a peek:
Brett Harris, who played for Hersey through 2016. (Photos courtesy of Kerry Harris)
On May 4, 2024, Oakland A’s third baseman and John Hersey High alum Brett Harris tore the ‘cover off Miami Marlin’s reliever Darren McCaughan’s third pitch, depositing it 415 feet away, over the left field fence. Two innings later, Harris crushed another home run, also off McCaughan, who had a very bad day. Brett Harris’ first two hits in “The Show” went nearly 800 feet combined. Yet, Harris’ debut power display stands at odds with his journey to the majors, one defined by grit, grind and hustle.
The Hustle of a Huskie
Long before he was a Major Leaguer, Harris was known in Arlington Heights for his “team-first” brand of toughness. During his senior year at Hersey, he broke the school record by taking 15 pitches to the body — a physical testament to his refusal to yield an inch of the plate. That grit paid off. He hit a stellar .406 with runners in scoring position and was named Hersey’s 2016 Male Athlete of the Year, as well as being named to the
Northwest Suburban All-Area Team.
Brett Harris, a third baseman for the Oakland A’s
Proving the Doubters Wrong
The road to the big leagues wasn’t a straight line. Coming out of high school, some dismissed Harris as “undersized,” doubting his power. Rather than accepting the scouts’ conclusions, Harris kept his goal fixed and hit the gym with the grind that defined his collegiate career. From redshirting at the University of Houston to maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA at Central Arizona College, Harris eventually became an All-American and the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Gonzaga and, in 2021, the Oakland A’s drafted him in the seventh round.
Making History
On May 3, 2024, the history books at Hersey were rewritten when Harris became the first graduate in school history to reach the major leagues. One day later, he blasted two home runs against the Miami Marlins, becoming only the 11th player in the Athletics’ franchise history to hit his first two career homers in the same game.
A Legacy of Excellence
Despite his major league status, Harris remains deeply connected to his roots. He still returns to Hersey to thank the teachers and coaches who supported him when he was just a kid with a dream and a backyard batting cage.
In the spirit of honoring the remarkable paths forged by local legends like Harris, we encourage our suburbtalk.com audience to visit the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, where a dedicated display featuring his high school jersey and glove will be showcased throughout July. This exhibition offers a premier chance to immerse oneself in the enduring and vibrant heritage of our hometown.
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