Slim Harriss
Encyclopedia
William Jennings Bryan Harriss (December 11, 1897 - September 19, 1963) was a pitcher
who played in Major League Baseball
between the 1920
and 1928
seasons. Listed at 6'6", 180 lb., Harriss batted and threw right-handed. A native of Brownwood, Texas
, he studied at Howard Payne University
.
A tall, lanky hurler, Harriss entered the majors in 1920 with the Philadelphia Athletics
, playing for them six and a half years before joining the Boston Red Sox
(1926-28). Twice he led the American League
in losses, with 20 in 1922 and 21 in 1927. His most productive season came with the 1925 Athletics, when he recorded career-highs with 19 wins
, a 3.49 ERA
, and 252⅔ innings pitched
. During the 1926 midseason, he was sent by the Athletics along Fred Heimach
and Baby Doll Jacobson
to the Red Sox in the same transaction that brought Tom Jenkins
and Howard Ehmke
to Philadelphia. In 1928, he led the hapless pitching staff of Boston with 14 wins and 77 strikeout
s.
In a nine-season career, Harriss posted a 95-135 record with 644 strukeouts and a 4.26 ERA in 349 appearances, including 228 starts
, 89 complete game
s, seven shutout
s, 78 games finished
, 16 saves
, and 1750⅓ innings of work.
Harriss died in Temple, Texas
at age 66.
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...
who played 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...
between the 1920
1920 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Brooklyn Robins -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Negro National League final standings:-East final standings:...
and 1928
1928 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Yankees over St Louis Cardinals -Awards and honors:*League Award** Mickey Cochrane, Philadelphia Athletics, C** Jim Bottomley, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
seasons. Listed at 6'6", 180 lb., Harriss batted and threw right-handed. A native of Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
, he studied at Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a four-year private university located in Brownwood, Texas.Currently the university enrolls 1,400 full-time students. Howard Payne is known for the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, its Music program and its Christian Studies program...
.
A tall, lanky hurler, Harriss entered the majors in 1920 with the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, playing for them six and a half 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"...
(1926-28). Twice he led 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...
in losses, with 20 in 1922 and 21 in 1927. His most productive season came with the 1925 Athletics, when he recorded career-highs with 19 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...
, a 3.49 ERA
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...
, and 252⅔ 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...
. During the 1926 midseason, he was sent by the Athletics along Fred Heimach
Fred Heimach
Frederick Amos Heimach born in Camden, New Jersey, was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Brooklyn Robins/Brooklyn Dodgers...
and Baby Doll Jacobson
Baby Doll Jacobson
William Chester "Baby Doll" Jacobson was a Major League baseball outfielder. Jacobson was born in Cable, Illinois, USA.His best season was 1920, when he hit for a .355 batting average and amassed 122 RBIs....
to the Red Sox in the same transaction that brought Tom Jenkins
Tom Jenkins (baseball)
Thomas Griffith Jenkins [Tut] was a reserve outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns . Jenkins batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
and Howard Ehmke
Howard Ehmke
Howard Jonathan Ehmke was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is best known for being the surprise starter who won Game 1 of the 1929 World Series for the Philadelphia Athletics at the age of 35...
to Philadelphia. In 1928, he led the hapless pitching staff of Boston with 14 wins and 77 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.
In a nine-season career, Harriss posted a 95-135 record with 644 strukeouts and a 4.26 ERA in 349 appearances, including 228 starts
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....
, 89 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, seven 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, 78 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, 16 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 1750⅓ innings of work.
Harriss died in Temple, Texas
Temple, Texas
Temple is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. Located near the county seat of Belton, Temple lies in the region referred to as Central Texas. Located off Interstate 35, Temple is 65 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco. In the 2010 Census, Temple's population was 66,102, an...
at age 66.