Harry Taylor – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

James Harry Taylor wrapped up his baseball career in 1952, after six seasons in the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Born in East Glenn, Indiana, Taylor pitched right-handed and made his presence known in the late 1940s and early ’50s, taking on roles as both a starter and reliever.

Between 1946 and 1952, Taylor played in 90 major league games, finishing with a 19-21 record for two of baseball’s most storied teams. He came from a small Indiana town and took a detour through World War II, pitching for Army teams before he got back into pro baseball.

He stood 6-foot-1, and his best season came in 1947, when he went 10-5 with a 3.11 ERA for the Dodgers. That year, he even started a World Series game.

From his early days struggling in the minors to his last seasons with the Red Sox, Taylor’s story really shows the ups and downs of a journeyman pitcher during baseball’s golden years.

Early Life and Background

James Harry Taylor was born May 20, 1919, in East Glenn, Indiana. He spent his early years there before chasing a professional baseball career.

World War II interrupted his path from small-town Indiana to the majors. He served in the military during the war.

Birth and Childhood in Indiana

Taylor arrived in East Glenn, Indiana, on May 20, 1919. This little rural town set the scene for his childhood in the 1920s.

Like a lot of Midwestern towns, East Glenn was all about farming and baseball. Kids played on local fields and in school yards, and the area’s baseball tradition definitely rubbed off on young Taylor.

Growing up in the 1920s and early ’30s, Taylor faced the realities of rural life and the Great Depression. Those years in small-town America shaped his work ethic and grit, which later showed up on the baseball diamond.

Family and Education

Taylor went to Fayette High School in New Goshen, Indiana. That’s where he really started to develop his baseball skills.

The school gave him a shot at organized baseball, letting him refine his pitching. Indiana high school baseball was pretty competitive, which pushed him to get better for the next level.

He stood out as a promising right-handed pitcher. By the time he finished high school, he was 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, making him an interesting prospect for scouts.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Chicago White Sox signed Taylor in 1938, when he was 19. That started his pro baseball journey, but world events soon put things on hold.

From 1941 to 1945, Taylor served in the Army, like so many athletes of his generation. That meant five seasons away from professional baseball.

He didn’t reach the majors until 1946, at 27 years old. Because of the delay, he had to work extra hard to prove himself.

The gap between his signing and his big-league debut was long, thanks to the war. Lots of players from that era gave up prime years for military service.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Harry Taylor’s pro baseball career stretched from 1938 to 1955, but military service during World War II really delayed his shot at the majors. The righty from East Glenn, Indiana, eventually played 90 games over six seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

Signing with the White Sox

The Chicago White Sox picked up Taylor in 1938, when he was 19. That kicked off his professional career, but he didn’t make it to the big leagues for another eight years.

Taylor spent those early years working on his game in the minors. The White Sox saw something in the tall kid from Indiana, who brought a solid presence to the mound.

But world events soon got in the way. His early career progress stalled, and he had to wait way longer than he expected to chase his big league dreams.

Impact of Military Service on Career

World War II changed everything for Taylor. He joined the Army in 1941 and didn’t return to baseball until 1945, missing five full seasons during what should have been his prime years.

A lot of baseball players served during that time, putting their careers on pause. Taylor was 22 when he enlisted and 26 when he got back.

He lost crucial development time in the minors. Most guys break into the majors in their early twenties, but Taylor had to wait until he was 27 for his major league debut. That really shortened his window for a long career.

Major League Debut

Taylor finally made it to the majors on September 22, 1946, with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was 27, and that made him the 10,199th player in major league history.

In his debut, he pitched 1.2 innings, gave up one hit, struck out two, and didn’t allow any walks or earned runs.

The Dodgers gave Taylor his first real shot at the big time. He pitched for Brooklyn in 1946, 1947, and 1948.

His best season came in 1947, when he went 10-5 and even got to pitch in the World Series.

Later, he joined the Boston Red Sox, playing from 1950 to 1952. His last big league appearance was on May 4, 1952, at age 32.

Taylor wrapped up his major league career with 19 wins, 21 losses, and 90 games pitched, starting 44 of them.

Brooklyn Dodgers Years

Harry Taylor spent three seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1946 to 1948. He became a reliable arm during his first years in the big leagues.

He had his best year in 1947 and even pitched in the World Series against the Yankees.

Notable Seasons and Achievements

Taylor made his major league debut on September 22, 1946, at 27, after missing five years for military service.

In 1947, he really broke through. He went 10-5 with a 3.11 ERA, threw 10 complete games, and notched two shutouts.

Taylor’s right-handed delivery and control made him effective on the mound. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he had the build for the job.

During his three seasons in Brooklyn, Taylor pitched as both a starter and reliever. That versatility made him a valuable piece of the Dodgers’ staff in the late ’40s.

1947 World Series Appearance

Taylor took the mound in the 1947 World Series when the Dodgers faced the Yankees. He started Game 4 on October 3rd, a huge moment for him.

Things didn’t go his way that day. He gave up two singles early, and then Yogi Berra reached on an error.

Taylor walked Joe DiMaggio, which forced in a run. Manager Burt Shotton pulled him and brought in Hal Gregg.

Even though his time in the game was short, just being in the World Series showed how much the Dodgers counted on him that year.

That 1947 Series is still legendary, and Taylor’s brief appearance tied him to that classic New York matchup.

Team Role and Position

Taylor pitched right-handed for the Dodgers and filled different roles in the rotation. He could start or come out of the bullpen, which gave the coaches options.

As a starter, he showed he could go deep into games. Those 10 complete games in 1947 proved his stamina.

The Dodgers used Taylor in 44 starts during his time in Brooklyn. His right-handed style balanced out the staff and let managers play matchups.

Being a pitcher meant Taylor had to adjust to whatever the team needed. Whether he started or relieved, he did his part to keep the Dodgers competitive during those three seasons.

Boston Red Sox and Final Major League Seasons

The Boston Red Sox picked up Harry Taylor in September 1950, paying close to $100,000. His two seasons in Boston had their moments, but also signaled the end of his major league run.

Performance with the Boston Red Sox

Taylor made an instant impression with the Red Sox in 1950. He tossed a two-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics on September 25.

On October 1, 1950, he beat the Yankees with a six-hitter on the season’s last day. Manager Steve O’Neill sounded pretty optimistic, saying Taylor “will be a big winner for us next year.”

But 1951 didn’t go well. Taylor finished with a 4-9 record and a rough 5.75 ERA.

He pitched in 31 games, starting only eight. In 81⅓ innings, he gave up 100 hits.

Taylor struggled with control, walking 42 and striking out just 22. That walk-to-strikeout ratio really showed his difficulties that year.

Significant Games and Contributions

Taylor’s best Boston moment came in his debut, when he shut out Philadelphia. That game showed he could still compete in the majors.

He also beat the Yankees on the season’s last day—always a big deal in Boston. The Red Sox were still in the pennant race when Taylor arrived.

In 1952, he threw a six-hit win over the Athletics early in the year. That ended up being one of his last strong outings.

Taylor pitched his final major league inning on May 4, 1952, in relief against the Cleveland Indians.

Final Season and Retirement

After that May 1952 game, Boston sent Taylor to the Louisville Colonels. He finished the season in the American Association.

With Louisville, Taylor went 9-10 with a 4.32 ERA over 25 games. He returned to the league where he’d had earlier success.

Taylor’s major league career ended with a 19-21 record and a 4.10 ERA in 90 games. He started 44 times over six seasons with Brooklyn and Boston.

He kept playing after 1952, joining the Williston Oilers in North Dakota in 1953 and going 9-2.

His last season in organized baseball came in 1955 with the Paris Lakers in Illinois. Taylor finished 7-2 with a 3.82 ERA before hanging up his glove for good.

Career Stats, Highlights, and Legacy

Harry Taylor played six seasons in the majors, finishing with a 19-21 record and a 4.10 ERA in 90 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. His biggest claim to fame? Starting Game 4 of the 1947 World Series, even if it didn’t go as planned.

Pitching Records and Statistics

Taylor put up solid numbers during his MLB years from 1946 to 1952.

He played in 90 games, starting 44, and pitched 357⅔ innings.

Key Career Statistics:

• Win-Loss Record: 19-21
• Earned Run Average: 4.10
• Strikeouts: 127
• Complete Games: 16
• Saves: 4

In 1947, Taylor had his best season with Brooklyn.

He won 10 out of 15 decisions and started 20 games.

That year, he threw two shutouts and spent the whole season on the Dodgers’ roster.

Taylor handled himself pretty well as a fielder.

He finished with a .990 fielding percentage and made just one error in 105 total chances.

His career batting average sat at .161 over 124 at-bats.

Over his time in the majors, Taylor gave up 344 hits and issued 201 walks.

He managed to throw complete games 16 times, proving he could go deep into games when needed.

Reputation Among Teammates and Fans

Teammates and fans respected Taylor for his steady presence during an iconic era in baseball.

He played on the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers, the same team where Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.

Taylor’s World Series start in Game 4 sticks out, even though it didn’t go his way.

He couldn’t get an out in the first inning, faced four batters, and allowed an unearned run before the manager pulled him.

That game is mostly famous for Bill Bevens’ near no-hitter for the Yankees.

Cookie Lavagetto broke up the no-hit bid with a ninth-inning double, winning the game for Brooklyn, 3-2.

After a tough stretch, Taylor bounced back in the minors.

The Boston Red Sox picked up his contract in September 1950 for their pennant chase.

He came through with two complete-game wins, including a two-hit shutout against Philadelphia.

Influence on the Game

Taylor’s career really captures the path of a solid big league pitcher from baseball’s golden era.

He lost his prime years to military service from 1941 to 1945, which happened to a lot of players back then.

In 1947, he took part in a World Series full of unforgettable moments, even if his own start in Game 4 didn’t go as planned.

Taylor’s pro career stretched from 1938 to 1955, about 17 years if you count the breaks for military duty.

He even spent two seasons (1953-54) in semipro baseball before calling it quits.

You’ll find his stats in Baseball Reference and other record books.

At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Taylor looked like a typical pitcher from his era, and his right-handed delivery worked for two different teams.

Life After Baseball and Legacy

James Harry Taylor left pro baseball and moved into farming and manufacturing back home in Indiana.

People recognized his impact on the game, and he stayed involved with baseball alumni groups and his local community.

Post-Retirement Life and Career

After his last season in 1955 with the Paris Lakers, Taylor went back to Indiana to start over.

He settled in Shirkieville, not far from his birthplace in East Glenn.

Taylor gave farming a shot at first.

Honestly, a lot of former players from his time ended up working in agriculture.

Later, he found steady work in manufacturing.

He worked for Bemis Manufacturing Company and Visqueen, a building products company.

Those jobs gave him financial stability and let him stay close to home.

Outside of work, Taylor kept up strong ties in his community.

He joined the West Terre Haute Masonic Lodge, showing how much he cared about local organizations.

Recognition and Remembrance

Taylor’s baseball career brought him recognition that stuck with him long after he stopped playing. He joined the Major League Baseball Players Alumni, which connects former pro players.

By joining this group, Taylor kept his ties to the baseball world alive. The organization gave former players a way to stay in touch and swap stories from back in the day.

Taylor died on November 5, 2000, in Terre Haute, Indiana, at 81. They buried him at Shepherd Cemetery in Shepardsville, Indiana.

His legacy? It’s a mix of his World War II service and what he did for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Taylor’s career ran through baseball’s integration era, so he played during a pretty pivotal time in the sport’s history.