Naval Academy grad Mitch Harris thrives in MLB debut with Cardinals

Before he was recalled by the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week, Mitch Harris served in South America, Russia and the Persian Gulf as a weapons officer in the United States Navy.

After serving five years in the navy, though, it's hard to believe the lieutenant was intimated when Adam Lind stepped into the batter's box Saturday night at Miller Park.

Mitchell, 29, made his long-awaited major-league debut Saturday, nearly seven years after he was selected in the 13th round of the 2008 draft, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief following an injury to starter Adam Wainwright.

Summoned from the bullpen, the right-hander fanned Lind, the first batter he faced, on four pitches, and scattered four baserunners throughout his scoreless debut.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

"When the phone call came in, obviously it hit me that this is finally happening," Harris said after the game. "But once I hit the field, it's just like every other day. It's the same game, the same things happening. I think once the warmups were finished I really felt, 'OK, now I'm ready."

Harris' efforts helped the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory - their fourth straight win - while also becoming the first graduate of the US Naval Academy to appear in an MLB game since Nemo Gaines took the mound for the Washington Senators in 1921.