Billy Harrell – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Billy Harrell played as a reserve infielder in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1961. He split his career between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.

Born William Harrell on July 18, 1928, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, he stood 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 180 pounds. He batted and threw right-handed throughout his pro career.

Harrell wrapped up his four-season MLB career in 1961 with the Boston Red Sox. He finished with a .231 batting average, 8 home runs, and 26 RBIs across 174 games. His journey started at Siena College, where he shined as a two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball before jumping into professional baseball.

His major league stats might look modest by today’s standards, but honestly, Harrell’s story captures what so many players went through chasing their baseball dreams in the 1950s and early 1960s. He spent 15 seasons in pro baseball from 1952 to 1966, showing the grit and dedication it took to keep a career going in America’s pastime during a time of big changes.

Early Life and Background

Billy Harrell was born William Harrell on July 18, 1928, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. His family later moved to the Troy, New York area.

Growing up in two different states shaped his early athletic development. As a Black athlete in the 1940s and 1950s, he found both opportunities and tough challenges.

Family and Childhood in Pennsylvania and New York

William Harrell entered the world in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a small industrial town not far from Philadelphia. His family moved to Troy, New York, while he was still young.

The Harrell family settled in the Capital Region of New York. That move turned out to be a big deal for Billy’s athletic future.

Troy gave him better chances to grow as an athlete. During the 1930s and 1940s, Billy showed promise in several sports.

His athletic ability stood out early in his school years. Even with the challenges of the era, his family supported his sports interests.

Later, the Capital Region community would celebrate Billy’s achievements. In 2000, the Times Union named him one of the top 10 athletes from the Capital Region for the entire 20th Century.

Athletic Achievements at Troy High School

Billy Harrell stood out in multiple sports at Troy High School. He showed real talent in both baseball and basketball.

His athletic skills laid the foundation for his college and pro career. In high school, his basketball skills especially caught people’s attention.

Billy developed the speed and agility that made him stand out. Those traits helped him on the baseball diamond, too.

Back then, playing multiple sports was pretty common. Billy’s versatility made him an asset to his school’s teams.

His coaches noticed his potential early on. College scouts started to pay attention to his high school performance.

That exposure would prove crucial for his next steps. The foundation he built in Troy stuck with him throughout his career.

Experiences with Racial Barriers

Billy Harrell faced significant racial barriers as a Black athlete in the 1940s and early 1950s. Professional baseball had only started integrating in 1947 with Jackie Robinson.

He began his professional career with the Negro League Birmingham Black Barons in 1951. For Black players during this time, the Negro Leagues offered opportunities when mainstream sports were mostly closed off.

The Cleveland Indians signed him in 1952, bringing him into the organized baseball minor leagues. That was a big breakthrough when few Black players got such chances.

These experiences with racial barriers shaped his character and determination. Billy kept his focus on his athletic goals despite the obstacles.

College Years at Siena

Billy Harrell’s years at Siena College from 1949 to 1952 made him one of the school’s most versatile and accomplished athletes. He averaged 14 points per game in basketball and helped launch the baseball program, becoming the first Siena athlete to reach professional sports.

Baseball Success at Siena College

Harrell played on two of Siena’s first baseball teams after the program launched in 1949. He showed serious talent on the diamond during his college years.

Professional scouts noticed his skills early on. The Cleveland Indians signed him as a free agent in 1952.

He made history as the first Saint in any sport to debut at the professional level. He gave up his senior season eligibility in baseball to chase a pro opportunity.

Before reaching the majors, he played for the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro League. That experience helped prepare him for his eventual MLB career.

Basketball Career and Legacy

Harrell’s basketball career at Siena was just as impressive. He averaged 14 points per game across three seasons from 1949 to 1952.

His rebounding was outstanding. He pulled down 12.1 rebounds per game and grabbed 387 rebounds as a sophomore in 1949-50.

Key Basketball Achievements:

• Captained the team as a senior with a 24-7 record
• Scored 311 points as a sophomore, setting a record
• Helped the 1950 team post a 28-5 record and win the NCIT
• Played on teams that went 70-19 (.787) in his three seasons

The 1950 Siena team ranked second nationally in defense and became the first Siena squad to play in Madison Square Garden. Harrell always defended the opponent’s top scorer.

He earned United Press Honorable Mention All-American honors as a senior. The Indianapolis Olympians picked him in the sixth round (55th overall) of the 1952 NBA Draft.

Both the Minneapolis Lakers and Harlem Globetrotters offered him pro basketball contracts. Still, he chose to pursue baseball instead.

Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction

Siena College inducted Harrell into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1966. This honor recognized his impact on both the basketball and baseball programs.

On January 13, 2006, Siena retired his jersey number 10. He became the first Saint to receive this honor.

Additional Honors:

• Named one of the top-10 athletes in the Capital Region for the 20th century by the Albany Times Union (2000)
• Inducted into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame (2010)
• Part of the inaugural New York State Baseball Hall of Fame class (2011)
• Inducted into the MAAC Basketball Hall of Fame Honor Roll (March 8, 2014)

These honors highlight his lasting impact on Siena athletics. His success in multiple sports set a high bar for future student-athletes.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Billy Harrell signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1952 and spent 15 years in professional baseball. He appeared in 153 major league games and built his skills through extensive minor league experience.

His career showed consistent minor league performance, the challenges of racial integration, and versatility in the infield.

Signing with Cleveland Indians

On June 14, 1952, Billy Harrell signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent. He turned down offers from the Harlem Globetrotters and the NBA’s Indianapolis Olympians.

That signing started a 15-year professional baseball journey. Harrell had just graduated from Siena College and married Vivian Agana that year.

The Indians first sent him to the Reading Indians in the Class A Eastern League. But with a crowded roster, they quickly moved him to Cedar Rapids in the Class B Three-I League.

Harrell didn’t want to go to Iowa at first. “I didn’t really want to go. My wife was pregnant, and I was going all the way out to Iowa,” he said. His father talked him into it, and Harrell ended up hitting .325 in 55 games at Cedar Rapids.

Minor League Development and Performance

Harrell’s minor league years showed steady growth and impressive numbers. In 1953 with Reading, he batted .330 and won the Eastern League’s Most Valuable Player award.

That Reading team won a league-record 101 games and featured 11 future big leaguers, including Rocky Colavito and Herb Score. Harrell switched from outfield to shortstop that year and earned All-Star honors.

When the Indians promoted him to Indianapolis in the Class AAA American Association in 1954, he hit .307. Manager Kirby Farrell praised his defense, saying Harrell had “such tremendous hands, he could play the infield without a glove.”

Minor League Stats:

• Games played: 1,520
• Batting average: .284
• Home runs: 114
• RBIs: 573

Notable Challenges and Achievements

Harrell ran into serious racial discrimination, especially during spring training in the South. Segregation policies meant Rocky Colavito and Herb Score had to bring him food on the team bus.

A big incident happened in Winter Garden, Florida, where a city ordinance barred Harrell and teammate Brooks Lawrence from playing. Indians General Manager Hank Greenberg responded, “In the future if our Negro boys are not accepted, there will be no game.”

Even with these challenges, Harrell reached several milestones. He made his Major League Baseball debut on September 2, 1955, against the Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Stadium.

His most productive AL season came in 1958 when he served as the Indians’ regular shortstop. Harrell’s speed stood out, and base-running coach Harrison Dillard called him the fastest man on the team.

Harrell played every position except catcher during his career. He even pitched in relief sometimes, showing off his all-around athleticism.

Major League Baseball Tenure

Billy Harrell played four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1955 and 1961. He appeared in 173 games and hit .231.

He spent three seasons with the Cleveland Indians and one with the Boston Red Sox.

Cleveland Indians Career (1955, 1957–1958)

Harrell made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians on September 2, 1955, at age 27. The team called him up during a tight pennant race with the Chicago White Sox.

He had his first major league at-bat as a pinch hitter against the White Sox in front of 24,383 fans at Cleveland Stadium. Despite the nerves, Harrell made an instant impact, batting .421 in 22 plate appearances that September.

The Indians made Harrell their starting shortstop in four of the last five games that season. He roomed with future Hall of Famer Larry Doby, who mentored him and encouraged him to “keep running” and stay focused.

After that strong September, Harrell’s chances shrank when Cleveland traded for shortstop Chico Carrasquel from the White Sox. He played only 10 games in 1957, getting one hit in 14 plate appearances before the Indians sent him to the Pacific Coast League.

Harrell came back to Cleveland in September 1957 and played well at shortstop. He hit .310 in 42 plate appearances, covering three infield positions in the final weeks.

The 1958 season gave Harrell his most playing time with Cleveland. He became the regular shortstop in May, hit around .250, and showed off his defense. His speed stood out—he stole home twice that year and was considered the fastest base runner on the team.

Boston Red Sox Season (1961)

The Boston Red Sox picked Harrell in the 1960 Rule 5 Draft, giving him one last shot in the majors. His 1961 season with Boston was his final chance to become a regular player.

Harrell played in 37 games for the Red Sox during the 1961 season. That marked his return to the AL after more time in the minors following his Cleveland stint.

The Red Sox used Harrell mainly as a reserve infielder, just like the Indians had. His veteran presence gave Boston’s infield some depth that year.

After the 1961 season, Harrell’s major league career ended. He totaled 136 games with Cleveland and 37 with Boston, making 173 MLB appearances in all.

Role as an Infielder: Positions Played

Harrell took on several infield positions during his major league career, showing off the versatility that kept him around for four seasons. He mainly played shortstop and made most of his starts there.

Cleveland manager Kirby Farrell once said Harrell had “such tremendous hands, he could play the infield without a glove.” With fielding skills like that, Harrell could handle second base and third base whenever the team needed him.

The Indians sometimes put Harrell in the outfield, including a few games in right field. His speed and athleticism made him a good fit for different spots, which definitely boosted his value as a bench player.

That defensive versatility really mattered in 1958 with Cleveland. When injuries and roster changes hit, Harrell switched between shortstop and third base, always stepping in where the team asked.

Final Major League Appearances and Retirement

Harrell wrapped up his major league career in 1961 with Boston, ending a professional run that stretched from 1952 to 1966. He played his last MLB games in 1961 as a backup infielder.

After leaving Major League Baseball, Harrell kept playing in the minors. He finished up his pro career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1966, five years after his last big league appearance.

He hit eight home runs and drove in 26 runs over four seasons in the majors. His .231 batting average reflected his role as a defensive specialist, but in the minors he put up a .284 average and much better offensive numbers.

Harrell’s MLB journey capped his rise from the Negro Leagues to integrated professional baseball. He went from the Birmingham Black Barons to the majors, a path that mirrored the changing world of baseball in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Billy Harrell played four seasons in the majors from 1955 to 1961, finishing with a .231 batting average, 8 home runs, and 26 RBIs in 173 games. He moved around the infield with ease, but his hitting stayed pretty modest during his big league stint.

Batting and Fielding Stats

Harrell’s hitting stats show the story of a utility guy who had a tough time at the plate. He finished his MLB career with a .231 batting average, a .283 on-base percentage, and a .327 slugging percentage, which added up to a .610 OPS.

He had his best year in 1955 with Cleveland, batting .421 over just 13 games. Of course, that small sample didn’t last.

1958 gave him his most playing time, with 101 games. That season, he hit .218, collected 50 hits, and scored 36 runs. His WAR hit 0.8, the highest of his career.

Season	Team	G	BA	H	HR	RBI	WAR
1955	CLE	13	.421	8	0	1	0.1
1957	CLE	22	.263	15	1	5	-0.1
1958	CLE	101	.218	50	7	19	0.8
1961	BOS	37	.162	6	0	1	-0.1

Home Runs and Hitting Highlights

Harrell didn’t hit for much power, finishing with just 8 home runs in 173 games. Seven of those came in his busiest year, 1958 with Cleveland.

His career OPS of .610 sat well below league average. Even in 1958, with 101 games, he managed only a .599 OPS, so the struggles at the plate really stuck with him.

He did show some speed, swiping 17 stolen bases in his career. In 1958, he stole 12 bases, the most he managed in a single season.

His hitting really dropped off in his last year with Boston. In 1961, he picked up just 6 hits in 37 at-bats, ending with a rough .162 average.

Fielding Versatility and Skillset

Harrell’s main value came from how many spots he could cover on defense. He played shortstop, third base, and second base, and sometimes even filled in outfield spots.

He played shortstop in 77 games over four seasons and posted a .952 fielding percentage. At third base, he took part in 62 games and managed a solid .990 fielding percentage.

He didn’t play second base as much, but he handled it just fine when called upon. That ability to slide into different positions made him a handy bench player and occasional starter.

In the minors, Harrell played 15 seasons from 1952 to 1966 and hit .284 with 114 home runs. Clearly, he could hit at lower levels, even if that success didn’t fully carry over to the majors.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

Billy Harrell’s influence went way beyond his playing days, especially at Siena College, where he became a legendary two-sport athlete. His work in athletics and the community earned him lasting recognition up until his passing in 2014.

Impact on Siena College Athletics

Billy Harrell made a lasting impact on Siena College athletics in the early 1950s. He stood out as a two-sport athlete in both baseball and basketball.

On the basketball court, Harrell showed the same athleticism that would later help him in pro baseball. He helped set the stage for Siena’s future athletic programs.

His success in two sports at Siena set a new bar for student-athletes. Competing at a high level in more than one sport highlighted just how talented and committed he was.

The college honored his contributions over the years. His story inspired future Siena athletes who dreamed of going pro.

Community Involvement and Recognition

After he left pro baseball in 1961, Harrell stayed connected to the game and his community. He played a few more seasons in the minors, finishing up with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1966.

His long baseball career, from 1952 to 1966, gave him a deep understanding of the sport. That experience probably shaped his later work in the community, though details about his post-baseball life are a bit scarce.

Harrell’s journey from college sports to the pros set an example for young athletes. His path showed that hard work and talent could open doors to the highest levels of sports.

Remembering Billy Harrell

Billy Harrell passed away on May 6, 2014, at age 86. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most significant figures in Siena College athletics history.

His death closed a remarkable journey, one that stretched from small college athletics all the way to Major League Baseball.

People remember Harrell as “perhaps the most transformative student athlete in Siena College history.” That kind of recognition says a lot about the impact he made on Siena’s athletic programs.

He played four seasons in the MLB with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. For many, that was the highlight of his athletic achievements.

Harrell hit .231 in 173 major league games, which might not sound flashy, but his professional career inspired countless young athletes.

Even now, the baseball community honors his memory. He managed to navigate the tough path from college athletics to professional sports, and that’s no small feat.