Commenter Stu (aka RandBall's Stu, building the brand) tracks down a former Minnesota sports figure every week in The Hunt Down. Stu? --------

The Hunt Down

Name: Brendan Harris

Claim to Fame, Minnesota: acquired from Tampa Bay as part of the Matt Garza/Delmon Young deal in 2007. He was supposed to replace Jason Bartlett at shortstop, where I recall the argument was that he had a better bat than Bartlett, which would make up for a perceived downgrade in defense. Of course, he ended up struggling so badly at the plate that in June of 2010, he was outrighted to Rochester for Jason Repko. He was eventually moved, along with JJ Hardy, to the Orioles for Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey, making way for Tsuyoshi Nishioka. This has not turned out to be a fruitful move for the Twins so far. That said, Harris played well in Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS. He also did the high socks thing, if you're into that.

Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: had his best season with the Rays in 2007. Was also a part of the four-team Nomar Garciaparra/Doug Mientkiewicz trade in 2004 and the Austin Kearns trade in 2006, so it's fair to assume that Harris rents instead of buys. Where He Is Now: signed a minor-league deal with Colorado in December, which included a spring training invite. Is He on Twitter: yes. Also has an infrequently-updated blog where he opines on things like the Pledge of Allegiance, Joe Arpaio and the Jersey Shore. Has He Been in a Twitter Fight with Patrick Reusse: also yes. This column was likely the reason. Glorious Randomness: Harris is a graduate of William & Mary University, the second-oldest university in the United States. (We have been unable to confirm the oldest, but we're pretty sure it's either South Dakota State or DeVry.) Here is a picture of fellow grad Jon Stewart in a William & Mary soccer t-shirt.