Yankees still have one link in uniform to 2009 World Series team: One of one

Fifteen years later, the Yankees are back in the World Series, and the only link left in uniform from the last team to get here does most of his work in the shadows. Mike Harkey has remained the bullpen coach through two managers, three pitching coaches, hundreds of relievers and his own two-year hiatus to be the Diamondbacks’ pitching coach.He is a storyteller, a jokester, a part-time psychologist and one of the biggest wells of experience and wisdom in the organization.

He has a personality as big as his 6-foot-5 frame and is described by Aaron Boone as “happily grumpy,” right after talking about how he has become one of the manager’s best friends. And Harkey has the Yankees’ bullpen pitching its best at the most important time of the year. “He’s one of one,” Luke Weaver said in the leadup to Friday’s Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. “He, to me, has been one of the most impactful people for this year in my own personal journey, having transitioned to the bullpen.” There is a reason why Harkey, 57, has had the staying power he has since 2008, when Joe Girardi hired his former minor league roommate and Cubs batterymate onto his staff.The Yankees have consistently produced one of the game’s best bullpens over the years, and while this year’s group has had its fair share of ups and downs, Harkey has been there to make sure it got to October in one piece. “I take a lot of pride in what I do,” Harkey said.

“I take a lot of pride in the relationships I’m able to build with some of these guys.Hopefully I’m able to make the kind of impact that needs to be made in order to win games.

It’s just really a lot of my experience.I’m lucky to get the experience.” That experience included being on the franchise’s last World Series championship team in 2009.

Last week, with the Yankees on the verge of wrapping up the ALCS against the Guardians, Harkey said it was all feeling “familiar” again. “Fighting for yo...