Bucky Harris
Only Connie Mack managed more games than Bucky Harris, who debuted as a 27-year old "Boy Manager," and led the Washington Senators to their only World Championship. Harris enjoyed a solid 12-year playing career as a second baseman, highlighted by his fielding play and his clutch performance in the 1924 World Series. He had a laid-back style and was very popular with his players. When the Phillies fired him in mid-season in 1943, his players threatended to strike unless he was re-instated. The humble Harris interceded and convinced the players to back down. He ranks fourth all-time in managerial victories.
| Career Batting Stats |
| G |
AB |
H |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
SLG |
OBP |
OPS |
OPS+ |
| 1263 |
4736 |
1297 |
722 |
9 |
506 |
167 |
.274 |
.354 |
.352 |
.706 |
94.8 |
|
Teams Bucky Harris Managed
Washington Senators (1924-1928)
Detroit Tigers (1929-1933)
Boston Red Sox (1934)
Washington Senators (1935-1942)
Philadelphia Phillies (1943)
New York Yankees (1947-1948)
Washington Senators (1950-1954)
Detroit Tigers (1955-1956)
Best Season: 1924
Everything went right for Harris in 1924. He led AL second basemen in nearly every defensive category, managed the Senators to their first Ameican League pennant, and starred in the World Series. Harris hit .333 (11-for-33) with two homers (as many as he'd hit in any one season), and seven RBI. The Senators defeated the New York Giants in seven games.
Factoids
Bucky Harris, Gabby Hartnett and Joe Tinker, are the only Hall of Famers who died on their birthdays.
His Best Team: The 1947 Yankees
Filling the void after Joe McCarthy was fired in New York, Harris took the Yankees to the World Series, where they beat the Dodgers in seven games. The Yankees led the AL in both offense and pitching, winning 97 games behind Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, Allie Reynolds, and Joe Page.
Best Strength as a Manager
Harris was famously calm as a manager. His players loved him, and were extremely loyal.
Largest Weakness as a Manager
Hall of Fame second baseman Charlie Gehringer, who played for him in Detroit from 1929-1933, said "The fact that he was so easy to play for probably didn't help his managing." Of course, Gehringer had began his career under Ty Cobb and then George Moriarty — two high-strung managers, to say the least.
Where He Played
Harris was a second baseman, playing 1,253 games at that position, primarily in the 1920s.
Born
Stanley Raymond Harris was born on November 8, 1896, in Port Jervis, NY.
Died
November 8, 1977, Bethesda, MD
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Major League Debut
8 28,
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1919
Frankie Frisch
Bucky Harris
Lefty O'Doul
George Uhle
Curt Walker
Dickie Kerr
Bernie Friberg
Chick Galloway
Virgil Barnes
Born Stanley Raymond Harris, "Bucky" was a childhood nickname the origins of which are sketchy.
Uniform Numbers
#34 (1931), #32 (1932, 1955-1956), #27 (1934), #35 (1935), #30 (1936-1940), #28 (1941-1942), #24 (1943), #37 (1947-1948), #50 (1951-1954)
Similar Players
Buck Weaver, Bill Wambsganss, Jimmie Dykes (as a manager)
Related Players
Roger Peckinpaugh
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1938 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1939 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1948 |
BBWAA |
3 |
2.5% |
1949 |
BBWAA |
11 |
7.2% |
1950 |
BBWAA |
4 |
2.4% |
1951 |
BBWAA |
9 |
4.0% |
1952 |
BBWAA |
12 |
5.1% |
1953 |
BBWAA |
21 |
8.0% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
45 |
16.9% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
31 |
11.5% |
1975 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1924 World Series
1925 World Series
Feats
Harris led American League second basemen in putouts four times and in double plays a record five straight times.
Notes
Harris managed the AL All-Star team in 1948; he was named Manager of the Year by The Sporting News in 1947.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
As Tiger manager in 1955, Harris suffered an infected finger, which kept him from filling out his lineup cards early in the season. A Detroit sportswriter helped him fill out the cards on at least one occassion.
Transactions
Traded by Washington Senators to Detroit Tigers in exchange for Jack Warner (December 19, 1928).
Best Strength as a Player
Range at second base. Harris was also very adept at getting hit by pitches.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Power, though he was hampered by playing in Griffith Stadium, which was by far the toughest park of that era to homer in.
Learn More about Bucky Harris
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