Bill Harrelson
Encyclopedia
William Charles Harrelson (born November 17, 1945) is a former professional baseball
player who played one season for the California Angels
of Major League Baseball
. During his playing days, he stood at 6' 5" and weighed 215 lbs.
Indian," was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
. In 1964, he was signed by the Angels and began his professional baseball career that season. He played in the Pioneer League, California League
, and Midwest League
in 1964 and 1965 but had little success. In 1966, Harrelson went 8-11 with a 3.31 earned run average
in the New York – Penn League; in 1967, he had his best season, going 7-4 with a 2.48 ERA for the California League's San Jose Bees
. That performance got him promoted to Class AA, Class AAA, and finally the majors in 1968.
Harrelson made his major league debut with the Angels on July 31, 1968. He was involved in a pitching duel with future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter
that day, both allowing just one run through seven innings. Harrelson gave up just four hits, all singles, through seven, but he weakened in the eighth and eventually took the loss. Things didn't get much better for him, as he went 1-6 with a 5.08 ERA over the next two months. He made his final major league appearance on September 18.
In 1969, Harrelson returned to the minors and played in the Texas League
and Pacific Coast League
. On January 14, 1970, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
organization, along with Dan Loomer, for Jack Fisher
. Harrelson had losing records in the minors in both 1970 and 1971 before retiring from baseball.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who played one season for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. During his playing days, he stood at 6' 5" and weighed 215 lbs.
Career
Harrelson, a "full blooded CherokeeCherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
Indian," was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It was founded as a capital of the original Cherokee Nation in 1838 to welcome those Cherokee forced west on the Trail of Tears. The city's population was 15,753 at the 2010 census. It...
. In 1964, he was signed by the Angels and began his professional baseball career that season. He played in the Pioneer League, California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, and Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
in 1964 and 1965 but had little success. In 1966, Harrelson went 8-11 with a 3.31 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in the New York – Penn League; in 1967, he had his best season, going 7-4 with a 2.48 ERA for the California League's San Jose Bees
San Jose Bees
The San Jose Bees refers to two California League teams, one that existed from 1962 to 1976 and one that existed from 1983 to 1987. Based in San Jose, California, they were affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels from 1962 to 1964, the California Angels from 1965 to 1969, the Kansas City Royals from...
. That performance got him promoted to Class AA, Class AAA, and finally the majors in 1968.
Harrelson made his major league debut with the Angels on July 31, 1968. He was involved in a pitching duel with future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
that day, both allowing just one run through seven innings. Harrelson gave up just four hits, all singles, through seven, but he weakened in the eighth and eventually took the loss. Things didn't get much better for him, as he went 1-6 with a 5.08 ERA over the next two months. He made his final major league appearance on September 18.
In 1969, Harrelson returned to the minors and played in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
and Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. On January 14, 1970, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
organization, along with Dan Loomer, for Jack Fisher
Jack Fisher
John Howard Fisher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent on June 24, 1957. He played for the Orioles , San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , and Cincinnati Reds...
. Harrelson had losing records in the minors in both 1970 and 1971 before retiring from baseball.