Gail Harris (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Boyd Gail Harris is a former Major League Baseball
first baseman who played with the New York Giants
and Detroit Tigers
from 1955 to 1960. In 1958, Harris hit a career high 20 home run
s with the Tigers.
.
Harris struggled in 1956, but rebounded with a solid season in 1957. It was during the waning days of the ’57 season that Harris had his best day as a pro and became a footnote in history. The homer off O’Brien would have historical implications. The smash was the last home run by a New York Giant player.
The team relocated to San Francisco the following year. Meanwhile, Harris also had a new destination as he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.
Harris enjoyed some success in the Motor City. Getting the chance to play on a regular basis, Harris flourished in the summer of 1958 for the Tigers. He smashed 20 home runs, collected 83 RBIs and finished with a .273 batting average.
Harris’ batting average dipped in 1959, as he hit .221 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs.
Harris played his last game in the majors on May 3, 1960.
, and his son, Mark, played in the minors briefly and is currently a minor league instructor for the Kansas City Royals
organization.
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...
first baseman who played with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
from 1955 to 1960. In 1958, Harris hit a career high 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s with the Tigers.
Early years
Harris was an athletic standout at now-defunct William King High School in Abingdon. He was drafted as an amateur free agent in 1950, and called up to the majors in the summer of 1955.Major leagues
Harris hit .232 in 79 games as a rookie, connecting for 12 home runs and driving in 36 runs. His manager was the ferocious Leo DurocherLeo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
.
Harris struggled in 1956, but rebounded with a solid season in 1957. It was during the waning days of the ’57 season that Harris had his best day as a pro and became a footnote in history. The homer off O’Brien would have historical implications. The smash was the last home run by a New York Giant player.
The team relocated to San Francisco the following year. Meanwhile, Harris also had a new destination as he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.
Harris enjoyed some success in the Motor City. Getting the chance to play on a regular basis, Harris flourished in the summer of 1958 for the Tigers. He smashed 20 home runs, collected 83 RBIs and finished with a .273 batting average.
Harris’ batting average dipped in 1959, as he hit .221 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs.
Harris played his last game in the majors on May 3, 1960.
Retirement
Harris currently lives in Manassas, VirginiaManassas, Virginia
The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county...
, and his son, Mark, played in the minors briefly and is currently a minor league instructor for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
organization.