Player #83C: 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 takes us through Bucky's 1922 season: To avoid the temptation of the cage and a $1,000 fine if he gave in, Bucky left for Washington three weeks early. He spent several days golfing in the D. C. area before going south for spring training of his third major league season under his third different manager. . . .
. . . The infield with Bucky at second, Judge at first, Howard Shanks at third and Peckinpaugh at short was rated the best in the league. . . .
. . . Bucky was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in the (season) opener and the Senators were off and running to nowhere. The spring analysis was way off. After that Opening Day win, the Senators lost eight of their next nine, giving up 59 runs, an average of over six per nine innings. They never recovered from that disastrous start. . . .
. . . Surprisingly, the fielding, at least by error count, was disappointing. The Senators were second in errors in the A. L. with 199. Sam Rice led all center fielders with 21 miscues. Only one second baseman had more errors than Bucky's 30, but Bucky got to far more balls than most. He led in putouts and total chances per game with 6.4. (He was second in the league in fielding percentage to Eddie Collins.) He, Peckinpaugh and Judge all led in double plays at their position. (Bucky Harris by Jack Smiles.)
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1673691599
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1673691603