Spotlight on the Hall Of Fame: “Boy Wonder” Bucky Harris

“Boy Wonder” Bucky Harris Photo Gallery
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Spotlight on the Hall Of Fame: “Boy Wonder” Bucky Harris

“There are only two things a manager needs to know: When to change pitchers and how to get along with your players.” Hall-of-Fame manager Bucky Harris

Eighty-two years ago today, November 13, 1934, future Hall-of-Fame manager Bucky Harris was hired by the Washington Senators for the second time, replacing Joe Cronin. The 27-year old “Boy Wonder” Harris had previously been the player-manager for the Senators, leading them to American League pennants in 1924 and 1925, and a World Series championship in 1924. At the time, he was the youngest manager in the major leagues.

Bucky Harris spent over 50 years in professional baseball as a player, manager, scout, and executive. He played 12 seasons (1919-31) with the Senators (1919-28) and the Tigers (1929, 1931). Over his career, he hit .274 with 1297 hits, 508 RBIs, nine home runs, 224 doubles, 64 triples , 167 stolen bases and  .352 on-base percentage. His best season was 1920 when he hit .300 with 68 RBIs and .377 OBP. He starred in the 1924 World Series, hitting .333 with two home runs and seven RBIs. As a scrappy 5’ 9” 156 pound second baseman, he gained a reputation as a tough competitor who did not back down, even to the ferocious superstar Ty Cobb when he came in spikes-high to second base.

If he was a marginal player, it was as a manager where Bucky Harris left his mark. His managing career spanned 29 years over 4,420 games with the Senators (1924-28), Tigers (1929-33), Red Sox (1934), Senators (1935-42), Phillies (1943), Yankees (1947-48), Senators (1950-54), and Tigers (1955-56). In addition to his two pennants in Washington, he led the Yankees to the 1947 pennant and World Series championship.

The tumultuous 1946 season in New York saw mercurial Yankee president Larry MacPhail employ three managers – Joe McCarthy, Bill Dickey and Johnny Neun – and finish third, 17 games behind the Red Sox. At the close of the season, MacPhail named Harris as the 1947 manager. He led them to his third American League pennant and his second World Series championship. Behind Most Valuable Player Joe DiMaggio and pitcher Allie Reynolds, the 1947 Yanks won 97 games, finishing 12 games ahead of the  Tigers. They defeated the Jackie Robinson-led Brooklyn Dodgers in a thrilling, seven-game Fall Classic.

His 2,158 wins currently rank seventh all-time. After his managing career ended, he served as a scout for the White Sox and as a special assistant for the expansion Washington Senators.

Bucky Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975. He passed away in 1977.

 Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the Bucky Harris Wikipedia page.

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