Meet The Fans - Dhana Harris

By Diane Stanley
February 7 2003

Today I would like to introduce to you Dhana Harris. Dhana has become a good friend over the last 4 years or so even though I have never met her in person. That's something I really would love to put right one day soon.

I was born in Edmonton, but raised in Fort McMurray AB all my life. I moved to Calgary last year to do Journalism Arts at SAIT. I have an older brother who is 26. I love travelling, writing, playing sports, reading and drawing. When I am at home, I love going fishing with my dad, and playing baseball with my friends. I'm also hearing impaired, but many years of speech therapy has allowed me to function as if I don't have a hearing loss.

When did you first get interested in baseball?
I was 5 years old when I was first introduced to the game. My mom had taken my brother and I to Toronto to visit our aunt, and our uncle took us to Exhibition Stadium for a ball game.

Have you ever played Little League or Softball? If so how long did you play for?
Unfortunately I've never played either of the two. I played a lot with my friends and in high school, but never for an organized team.

Have you ever been to a Major League Game? If so where was it and who was playing?
The one and only time I've been to a MLB game was when I was 5. I don't remember who the Jays were playing....all I remember is that it was a pretty chilly day out. LOL

If you could visit any Major League ball park which one would it be and why?
My answer would have to be Polo Grounds even though it's torn down.The New York Giants were a great team. Modern stadium wise, I would have to say Camden Yards or Kauffman Stadium...to me they embody the spirit of Baseball.

Who is your all time favorite player and why?
My all time favorite player is pitcher Christy Mathewson. He had anexcellent set of work ethic he played the game for the love of the game,and he was one heck of a great pitcher.

You mentioned that you are hearing impaired. Do you think slight disabilities like yours sometimes gets in the way of people going further in sports than their ability dictates that they could because of other people misconceptions?
This is a very interesting question...had this been asked to me fiveyears ago, I would have said yes. However, now that I've grown up somewhat,and have stopped caring about what people think of me in regards to my hearing loss, the answer is no. If you have a disability, especially when you're born with it, there's nothing you can do but accept that and move around it. The challenge is accepting it. It took me a very long timeto accept the fact that I was hearing impaired, and so far it hasn't stopped me from doing what I want. In regards to baseball, there was a ball player who was completely deaf....and he still played. His name was William "Dummy" Hoy and he was the first deaf baseball player in baseball history. He played from 1888 to 1902. He's the reason why umpires do the hand signals today to call the game. If a person's disability gets in the way of what they want out of life, it's because they're letting it get in the way.

Have you ever written a fan letter to a player? If so did he reply?
Yes, I wrote Alex Gonzalez a letter in 1995 and he replied with anautographed picture. I also wrote Paul Beeston that same year and heresponded with a letter and a yearbook.

What is your favorite baseball memory?
My favorite baseball memory was when the Blue Jays won the WorldSeries in 1991.

What is your least favorite baseball memory?
When Shawn Green was traded in 1999.

Do you collect baseball memorabilia if so what do you collect ?
I collect mostly baseball cards...I have quite the large collection.Everything from modern ball to the AAGPBL and the early 1900's. I also collect baseball movies, but this is a hard one to expand upon. I have a Lou Gehrig Poster and numerous books on the sport.

What do you think of interleague play?
At first I hated Interleague play because it went against traditional baseball. I love historical baseball and I was already ticked off that I couldn't live in the times of Mathewson, Gehrig, Ruth, the Black Sox etc. So when Interleague happened....well I wasn't a happy camper. Now it's okay, but sometimes it still annoys me with the pitching changes, and the pitcher being in the lineup ect. What's ironic is that when baseball first started,it was played the National League way and not the AL.

We all know the chance of a player strike could happen after the playoffs are over. Do you think this will happen?
I think there's always a chance of a player strike happening. There's just so much animosity nowadays between players and managements....and it's all over money. For once I wish all players would play for the love of the game. A lot of them just don't appreciate where they are enough.

If it did what effect do you think it would have not only on the game, but the fans as well?
I think it depends on the outcome and if it happens close to when season starts up again. For me, if it happened in the off season, it wouldjust be another off season....watching and anticipating what's going to happen to the players, who's going to go where and why. If it happened close to the start of the season, there would be more of an effect on the fans.The strike back in 1994/1995 is an example of this.

Most people agree that Jackie Robinson has done more to change the face of baseball than any other player. Who else do you think has made a difference in the game and for what reasons?
There have been a lot of players who have made a difference. I'm not just talking batting numbers here either. Christy Mathewson and Connie Mack changed the relationships between players and managers. (Until Comiskey came along and messed that up LOL) Lou Gehrig played until ALS wouldn't let him play anymore. Hoy played in the face of being permanently deaf. Shawn Green is changing the relationship between the fans and the players to the way itwas back during the 30s and 40s, when the players interacted with the fans. There have been lots of differences made in the game, even if they aren't highly noticeable.

Who do you think will win?
Of the above? The Mariners.

Who do you think will be the MVP for the AL and the NL?
Sadly, I may follow the game but I'm not up to par on individual players.

Dhana, thanks for a great interview!