Isaiah Harris
American baseball player (1925–2001)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isaiah "Lefty" Harris (July 2, 1925 – September 18, 2001) was an American professional baseball pitcher in Negro league baseball who played for the Memphis Red Sox from 1949 to 1956.
| Isaiah Harris | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: July 2, 1925 Parkin, Arkansas, U.S. | |
| Died: September 18, 2001 (aged 76) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Negro league baseball debut | |
| 1949, for the Memphis Red Sox | |
| Last appearance | |
| 1956, for the Memphis Red Sox | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
Early life and career
Harris was born in Parkin, Arkansas and pitched for black amateur baseball teams near Parkin before joining the Memphis Red Sox in 1949.[1] A left-handed pitcher, Harris was known for having good control of his pitches, which included a fastball and curveball.[2] He allowed only one hit on April 7 against the Chicago American Giants, struck out 16 American Giants in a game on May 17, and threw a two-hitter against the Houston Eagles on June 16.[3][4][5] In his first season, he ended the year with a 17-4 win-loss record and led the Negro American League in strikeouts.[1][6] In September, he received interest from the New York Yankees for a tryout.[1] He also was scouted by the Chicago Cubs.[7] However, he remained with Memphis after the 1949 season ended.[8] In October, he started in an exhibition game for Memphis against the Satchel Paige All-Stars.[9]
Success with Memphis Red Sox
Harris pitched a no-hitter on August 12 against the Kansas City Monarchs.[10][11] He faced Don Newcombe in an exhibition game on October 22 against the combined Jackie Robinson All-Stars and Indianapolis Clowns.[12]
On July 14, 1951, he hit a home run an estimated 450 feet while pitching 12 innings in a win against the Indianapolis Clowns in Niagara Falls, New York.[13] He was named to the East-West All-Star Game in 1952.[14]
By July 1953, The Commercial Appeal reported that the Yankees, Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates were scouting Harris.[2] He returned to the East-West All-Star Game in 1953, throwing three scoreless innings.[15] He threw a two-hitter against the Louisville Clippers on August 16, 1954 and was named to the East-West All-Star Game again later that month.[16][17] He was named to his fourth East-West All-Star Game in 1955.[18] He played with the Red Sox through at least the 1956 season.[19]
Post-baseball
After baseball, he worked for ADM. He died in Memphis, Tennessee on September 18, 2001.[20]
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