Harry Harper
Encyclopedia
Harry Clayton Harper was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for four different teams between and . Listed at 6' 2", 165 lb., Harper batted and threw left-handed
. He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey
.
Throughout his career, Harper was a back luck pitcher either do to injury or playing on a bad baseball team. He entered the majors in 1913 with the Washington Senators
, playing for them seven years before joining the Boston Red Sox
(1920), New York Yankees
(1921) and Brooklyn Robins
(1923). His most productive season came in 1916 with Washington, when he posted career-numbers in wins
(14), strikeout
s (149) and innings pitched
(249⅓), while recording a earned run average
of 2.45.
In 1918 Harper went 11-10 in 244.0 innings, but his 2.18 ERA ranked him sixth between the American League
pitchers. He had a 6-21 record with a 3.72 ERA for the hapless Senators in 1919 to lead the AL in losses, and in 1920 he had a 5-14 mark with the Red Sox. He did, however, manage to get a solid 3.04 ERA to rank seventh in AL. He also started
for the Yankees in Game 6 of the 1921 World Series
, but did not have a decision.
In a 10-season career, Harper posted a 57-76 record with 623 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA in 219 appearances, including 171 starts, 66 complete games, 12 shutout
s, five saves
, and 1256.0 innings.
Following his baseball career, Harper made a fortune as a New Jersey industrialist
. He died in New York, New York, just one day short of his 68th birthday.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in 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...
who played for four different teams between and . Listed at 6' 2", 165 lb., Harper batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
. He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
.
Throughout his career, Harper was a back luck pitcher either do to injury or playing on a bad baseball team. He entered the majors in 1913 with the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, playing for them seven years before joining the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1920), New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1921) and Brooklyn Robins
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1923). His most productive season came in 1916 with Washington, when he posted career-numbers in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(14), strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (149) and innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(249⅓), while recording a 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...
of 2.45.
In 1918 Harper went 11-10 in 244.0 innings, but his 2.18 ERA ranked him sixth between the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pitchers. He had a 6-21 record with a 3.72 ERA for the hapless Senators in 1919 to lead the AL in losses, and in 1920 he had a 5-14 mark with the Red Sox. He did, however, manage to get a solid 3.04 ERA to rank seventh in AL. He also started
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Yankees in Game 6 of the 1921 World Series
1921 World Series
In the 1921 World Series, the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series....
, but did not have a decision.
In a 10-season career, Harper posted a 57-76 record with 623 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA in 219 appearances, including 171 starts, 66 complete games, 12 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s, five saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and 1256.0 innings.
Following his baseball career, Harper made a fortune as a New Jersey industrialist
Business magnate
A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a capitalist, czar, mogul, tycoon, baron, oligarch, or industrialist, is an informal term used to refer to an entrepreneur who has reached prominence and derived a notable amount of wealth from a particular industry .-Etymology:The word magnate itself...
. He died in New York, New York, just one day short of his 68th birthday.