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Willie Harris brings a joyful energy to the Chicago Cubs as their third-base coach — along with unconventional visual cues to baserunners

meghan montemurro, chicago tribune
·6 min read
Willie Harris brings a joyful energy to the Chicago Cubs as their third-base coach — along with unconventional visual cues to baserunners

Chicago Cubs third-base coach Willie Harris dropped to the ground in foul territory, his body outstretched and his hands tapping the grass as Anthony Rizzo barreled toward him.

Rizzo heeded Harris’ direction, sliding into third safely for a triple May 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Harris’ visual cue has become a staple of how he directs approaching baserunners. The concept is simple: If Harris is laid out on the ground, it indicates an impending close play so the runner knows he must slide.

The move encompasses the vibe Harris, 42, brings to the Cubs in his first year with the organization — a joyful personality and energy that mixes well with 12 years of big-league experience. Harris, though, doesn’t know what inspired his unique tactic when manning the coach’s box at third. All he recalls is that it started years ago when he filled the role as part of his minor-league managing duties.

“When I got up, I’m like, ‘What in the hell am I doing down here?’ But the (minor-league) players loved it,” Harris recently told the Tribune. “It’s not about me, it’s about giving these guys some energy and something that they probably haven’t seen before. And they see it and they’re like, ‘Oh, man, Willie is down here on the ground with me? Let’s go!’

“That’s how it is right now in this generation, so I just want to have the energy for these guys, for these fans.”

Harris’ coaching career can be traced to a 2015 dinner at Ditka’s Restaurant for the 10-year reunion of the Chicago White Sox World Series champions. Harris appeared in 56 games for the Sox during the 2005 season but is most remembered for his pinch-hit single in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the World Series; he scored the game’s lone run on Jermaine Dye’s single to clinch the championship sweep.

“The thing that really stood out for me was after we won a World Series, the parade, when we turn that corner, man, it was just crazy,” Harris said. “Being a young kid from Cairo, Georgia, population of maybe 10,000, there were more than 10,000 people at our parade and I was just in awe.”

At one point during the reunion dinner, Harris chatted with Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who inquired about what he had been up to since his playing career ended. Harris explained that after his final professional season in 2012, he went home to Florida to run a baseball facility and coach travel teams.

“He was like: ‘You have too much energy just to be sitting at home doing not a whole lot. You’ve got a lot of knowledge. You can help some kids,’ ” Harris recalled. “(Reinsdorf) asked if I would be interested in coaching, and I said sure.”

Within a few weeks, Nick Capra, the Sox director of player development at the time, reached out to set up an interview, and Harris’ coaching career took off. His journey with the Sox started in 2016 as the hitting coach for their Advanced Rookie League affiliate in Great Falls, Mont., and he earned a promotion to manage high Class A Winston-Salem the following year.

Harris continued to rise through the ranks, managing Double-A Richmond in the San Francisco Giants organization in 2018-19. He joined the Cincinnati Reds in 2020 as their minor-league baserunning and outfield coordinator.

The Cubs gave Harris his first opportunity on a major-league coaching staff, tabbing him as manager David Ross’ new third-base coach.

“Talking about personality and fun, I value that in my coaching staff, and it’s part of the reason why he was a standout candidate this offseason,” Ross said. “He brings a lot of energy and knowledge, but he delivers it in such a fun, impactful way.

“He’s got energy, he’s rooting the guys on. He still feels like he’s kind of a player out there. He feels like he’s interacting with those guys in that type of way.”

Harris’ 2015 conversation with Reinsdorf wasn’t the first time coaching in the pros crossed his mind. But he wanted some time to pass between his playing career and transitioning into coaching. Harris wanted to avoid judging players by what he would have done in the situation, never forgetting how hard the game is.

“I always knew I was going to be a lifer in the game and just needed an opportunity,” he said.

Working with players through struggles and seeing them succeed by trusting the process is the part of coaching that appeals to Harris. He strives to be a positive presence.

“I feel like I’m where I belong,” he said. “I feel like I can help and that’s all I want to do.”

Harris also serves as the Cubs baserunning and outfield coach. Kris Bryant has enjoyed getting to know Harris over the last few months, particularly as he has logged more time in the outfield the last few weeks. Bryant touted Harris’ love of the game and the support he has given.

Harris’ demonstrative approach in the third-base coach’s box is nothing like Bryant has witnessed either.

“But it makes it so easy for us because you know when you’re going to be going and you know when you’re not going to be,” Bryant said. “That’s all you can ask for as a baserunner when you can’t see the ball. You need a guy that’s animated. He’s been one of the best so far that I’ve seen.”

Third-base coaches are in an unenviable position. Certain situations dictate baserunning decisions, like if the pitcher’s spot is on deck. But they tend to get noticed only when a send doesn’t pay off and not as frequently when a baserunner scores on a close play. It inherently comes with the role.

Harris’ pregame preparation helps him live with any in-game outcome. He studies the outfielders’ strengths and weaknesses, whether it’s throwing accuracy, arm power or how they move directionally.

The prep work sets up Harris to react and not overthink in the moment.

“Coaching third base, it’s a job that comes with a ton of criticism, I understand that,” Harris said. “But if I’m prepared and I’m locked in, like I normally am, I won’t make that that screw-up decision. If I do make that decision and I’m wrong, I have to live with that. I just have to make sure that when I send them, I’m 100% sure that they’re going to be there.

“I understand that I’m going to make mistakes. I mean, we’re all going to make mistakes. You just don’t want to make those mistakes when the game is on the line.”

Harris hopes one day to manage a major-league team. He interviewed in the offseason for the White Sox opening and is grateful he got to make his case for the job that went to Tony La Russa. Being part of the Cubs staff has allowed Harris to watch and learn about the demands of the job from Ross.

“I feel like I have the pedigree of knowing my players really well and understanding the game really well,” Harris said. “I mean, it’d be a dream come true for me. Hopefully that opportunity presents itself one day down the line.”