Washington DC Baseball

[GeoPoto]

Player #83D: Stanley R. "Bucky" Harris. Second baseman for the Washington Senators in 1919-1928. 1,297 hits and 167 stolen bases in 12 MLB seasons. 1924 and 1947 World Series champion. In 1975, inducted to the MLB Hall of Fame. Named player-manager of the Washington Senators in 1924 at age 27. "The Boy Wonder" led Washington to World Series victory as "rookie" manger. Managed Washington Senators in 1924-1928, 1935-1942, and 1950-1954. Managed the Detroit Tigers in 1929-1933 and 1955-1956. Managed the Boston Red Sox in 1934. Managed the Philadelphia Phillies in 1943. Managed the New York Yankees in 1947-1948, including winning the 1947 world Series. Served as the General Manager of the Boston Red Sox in 1959-1960.

Smiles touches on highlights from Harris' 1923 season: On the opening day of camp Griffith named Bucky captain of the Senators. Being captain got Bucky a banner headline in the Post but not much power. It was largely a ceremonial position, but he took it to heart. "The responsibility, as I took it, was more intense study of the players and the game." . . .

. . . On September 25 Bucky helped rookie pitcher Frederick "Firpo" Marberry win his first start, 5-3, over the White Sox. Bucky knocked in three of the Senators' five runs and made a "brilliant catch of Blankenship's liner doubling up Crouse to end the game." Marberry, an obscure 24-year-old Texan, got in 11 games in 1923 and was little noticed. But in 1924 Bucky, as the Senators' manager, would use Marberry in an unprecedented way. Decades ahead of his time, Bucky turned Marberry into a closer who was as vital to the Senators' pennant and World Series triumphs as Walter Johnson. . . .

. . . Muddy Ruel led the team in batting average, hitting .316. Bucky batted .282 with 36 extra-base hits, the most of his career. Two were home runs, his first since 1921. He readily attributed his power surge to the live ball. Bucky again led second basemen in putouts with 418, 71 more than Collins; double plays with 120, 43 more than Collins; and total chances per game. Bucky and Peckinpaugh became the first shortstop-second base tandem in which both took part in 100 double plays. Peckinpaugh made 100 exactly. Babe Ruth was selected American League MVP with 64 votes. Ruel got seven votes, and Bucky received three. (Bucky Harris by Jack Smiles.)

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