Harnisch studied accounting, and was a star pitcher at Fordham University, compiling a 21–3 college record, 2.29 earned run average and 213 strikeouts in 204 innings pitched. He was a supplemental first round pick (27 overall) for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1987 Major League Baseball draft. Just over a year after signing with Baltimore, Harnisch made his major league debut as a September call-up in 1988. He was 0–2 in two starts with a 5.54 ERA. He struck out Dwight Evans for his first Major League strikeout.\n', '

Harnisch spent two more seasons with the Orioles, splitting both seasons between Baltimore and their triple A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. Following the 1990 season, he, Curt Schilling and Steve Finley were traded to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis.\n', '

Harnisch suffered from a lack of run support upon his arrival in Houston. Despite leading the National League with a 2.22 ERA, his record stood at 5–7 at the 1991 All-Star break. NL manager Lou Piniella added Harnisch to his squad regardless of his losing record, and Harnisch pitched a scoreless sixth in the NL\'s 4–2 loss. On September 6, 1991, Harnisch struck out three batters on nine pitches in the ninth inning of a 3–1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Harnisch became the 17th National League pitcher and the 26th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish this feat. Harnisch went 7–2 after the break to end the season at 12–9. He led the league with a .212 batting average against and 7.020 Hits per nine innings pitched.\n', '

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