Mickey Harris – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Maurice Charles “Mickey” Harris ended his Major League Baseball career in 1952 after 12 seasons as a left-handed pitcher for three teams. Born in New York in 1917, Harris made his mark in professional baseball even though he lost several prime years to military service during World War II.

His career ran from 1940 to 1952 with the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians.

Most people remember Harris for his standout 1946 season, when he went 17-9 and helped the Boston Red Sox reach their first World Series since 1918. That year really was his peak, and he became a central part of the Red Sox starting rotation.

But after that, arm troubles started to slow him down, and he couldn’t quite recapture his best form as a starter.

Mickey Harris’s journey through baseball’s golden age shows how military service, injuries, and pure grit shaped his story. In his early years, he boldly predicted he’d win 25 games, and by the end, he was working out of the bullpen, still hanging on.

He finished his career with 59 wins, 71 losses, and a 4.18 ERA over 271 games, but honestly, those numbers are just one part of his fascinating baseball story.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Mickey Harris grew up in Queens Village, New York. His dad’s semipro baseball background definitely sparked his early love for the game.

After he switched from first base to pitcher in high school, Harris sharpened his skills in semipro leagues. Red Sox scout Jack Egan noticed him and signed him to his first professional contract.

Family Background and Upbringing

Maurice Charles “Mickey” Harris was born January 30, 1917, in the Belmont Park section of Queens Village, New York. His father, Maurice Sr., played semipro baseball as an infielder around New York, and young Mickey soaked up the game from him.

The Harris family included Mickey’s sister Gertrude and his brother Henry. His dad called him Mickey, a nickname that stuck for good.

During his playing years, Mickey was 6 feet tall and weighed 195 pounds. He batted and threw left-handed, just like his dad did in semipro ball.

The family didn’t have much, so Mickey later took a day job spraying paraffin on milk containers at a dairy. That extra money helped make up for what he earned in semipro baseball.

High School Experience and Early Baseball

At Public School 109 and Jamaica Industrial High School, Harris started out playing first base like his dad. But during a doubleheader when the team needed a pitcher, he hopped on the mound and found his real calling.

Baseball historians say, “When circumstances in a doubleheader required a new pitcher, Harris took the mound and never went back.” That moment changed everything for him.

After high school, Harris joined the Queens-Nassau League as a semipro. Pitchers earned an extra $5 to $10 per game, which helped a lot.

In 1937, at just 19, Harris tried out for the New York Giants at one of Bill Terry’s camps. He spent two months throwing batting practice, hoping to get noticed.

But the tryout ended on a sour note when Harris’s mom called the team, worried about his day job. Terry told Harris to go back to work, and Harris left feeling pretty ignored after all that effort.

Discovery by Jack Egan and Signing with the Boston Red Sox

Red Sox scout Jack Egan, who had worked as a major league umpire, spotted Harris while watching Queens-Nassau League games. Egan was helping Farm Director Billy Evans build up Boston’s farm system.

The two met after Harris gave up a grand slam. An older man with gray hair came up to him, and Harris later described the moment:

“An old guy with gray hair comes up to me. When he asks me what I threw the batter, I think he’s a nosy fan. I told him a hook. He then asked me what my best pitch was. I told him my fastball. ‘Then why didn’t you throw it?’ he says.”

At first, Harris didn’t buy Egan’s story. “I says, ‘Oh, yeah? I’m Lefty Grove.’ But he shows me credentials enough to convince me he’s the McCoy,” Harris remembered.

Egan offered him $100 per month plus a $100 signing bonus. Harris pushed for more, saying, “I held out for an extra $50 bonus and got it.”

Minor League Performance: Cotton States League and Eastern League

Harris started his pro career with the Red Sox affiliate in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in the Cotton States League. Egan had tried to place him with Little Rock in the Southern Association, but they turned Harris down.

At Little Rock’s spring training in 1938, Harris got nervous and walked seven straight batters. Farm Director Billy Evans told him, “You were throwing the ball faster to the seventh man than you were to the first and that was what counted with me.”

With Clarksdale in 1938, Harris finished 17-18 in his first pro season. That year taught him a lot about professional baseball.

He moved up to the Scranton Miners in the Eastern League in 1939. Harris really improved, posting a 17-4 record and tying for the league lead in winning percentage.

He also led the Eastern League with 148 strikeouts in 184 innings. His control got a lot better, and he became a real major league prospect.

In the 1939 Eastern League playoffs, Harris showed his trademark confidence. He told Springfield manager Spencer Abbott that he’d make the majors while Abbott stayed in the minors.

Major League Debut and Boston Red Sox Years

Mickey Harris made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on April 23, 1940. That kicked off a nine-season run in the American League.

His best years came in Boston, especially his key role in the 1946 pennant-winning season.

MLB Debut and Initial Seasons with Boston Red Sox

Harris debuted at Fenway Park on April 23, 1940, beating the Washington Senators 7-2. He was just 23 when he threw his first big league pitch. Next, he took down Philadelphia 7-3 for another win.

After that strong start, Harris hit some bumps. Opposing hitters could read his pitches, so manager Joe Cronin sent him back to the minors in July with a 4-2 record.

In 1941, Harris returned to Boston for his first full season. He went 8-14 but still made the 1941 All-Star team. At the All-Star Game in Detroit, he watched Ted Williams hit that famous walk-off homer.

His career got interrupted when the draft called him in October 1941. Harris served in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II.

Role in Starting Rotation and Early Achievements

When Harris came back from military service in 1946, he stepped right into the Red Sox rotation. He confidently predicted he’d win 25 games. He didn’t quite get there, but he still made a big impact.

Harris won his first seven starts in 1946. He settled in as a reliable starter with the rest of the rotation. His control had really improved during his time away.

He threw both a fastball and a curveball well. Harris stood 6 feet tall and weighed 195 pounds. That improved command made him a real asset for Boston.

He took the ball regularly and piled up innings as part of the typical four-man rotation of the era.

Highlights of 1946 Pennant-Winning Season

Harris finished 1946 with a 17-9 record, his best year ever. It was the only season he won at least 10 games.

His efforts helped the Red Sox clinch their first AL pennant since 1918. Harris’s ERA and overall numbers stood among his career highlights.

He made the All-Star team for the second time.

But in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Harris struggled. He lost both of his starts, Games Two and Six. Harry Brecheen beat him 3-0 and 4-1.

Those World Series losses marked the start of Harris’s decline. He never got back to the level he reached in 1946.

Fenway Park and Notable Teammates

Harris spent most of his Red Sox years pitching at Fenway Park from 1940-1941 and 1946-1949. The park’s quirky dimensions actually fit his pitching style pretty well. He learned to work with the famous Green Monster in left field.

During his Boston years, Harris played with Hall of Famer Ted Williams, the team’s star hitter and AL MVP. They were key parts of a strong Red Sox squad.

He also shared the field with other notable Red Sox players of the era. The team boasted plenty of offensive talent to back up its pitchers. Joe Cronin managed the team during Harris’s early days.

After 1946, Harris’s performance dipped because of arm troubles. He couldn’t keep up as a starter, and eventually, the Red Sox traded him to the Washington Senators in 1949.

Impact of Military Service on Career

Mickey Harris’s four years of military service from 1941-1945 cut into his career right as he was getting established. He served in the Panama Canal Zone, where he kept playing competitive baseball.

Draft into the United States Army

The Army drafted Harris at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on October 14, 1941. He was just 24 and had just finished his first full season as a Red Sox starter.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for his development. He had an 8-14 record with a 3.25 ERA in 1941, showing promise as a young pitcher. Military service pulled him away just as most players sharpen their skills and find their place in the majors.

After basic training, Harris got anti-aircraft training at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The Army assigned him to the Sixth Air Force and sent him to the Panama Canal Zone in early 1942. He held the rank of Corporal and manned anti-aircraft guns.

Military Service in Panama Canal Zone

Harris spent nearly four years in the Panama Canal Zone, where he pitched a lot of baseball. He played for the Balboa Brewers in the tough Canal Zone League.

His biggest achievement there came on April 12, 1942, when he threw a perfect game against the Canal Zone all-stars. Harris won 9-0 and needed just 69 pitches, proving he kept his skills sharp.

Despite that, Harris went just 11-6 in the Canal Zone League, which shows how competitive it was, with plenty of pros serving in the military.

He kept up his military duties while playing ball. When someone asked what he’d do if enemy planes showed up, he answered, “I only hope we get the chance. Just give me a shot at them.”

In July 1942, Harris got called back to play for an All-Service team against American League all-stars at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium. In front of 62,059 fans, he gave up two runs in the seventh inning of a 5-0 loss.

Return and Performance in Postwar Baseball

Harris came back to the Red Sox in October 1945 after spending almost four years overseas. That 1946 season, his return, ended up as his career best. He posted a 17-9 record.

In 1946, Harris really hit his stride. He rattled off eight straight wins in May and got picked for the American League All-Star team. His strong pitching played a big part in helping the Red Sox win the pennant.

But after 1946, Harris started dealing with chronic arm problems. His performance dropped off, and the Red Sox traded him to the Washington Senators in June 1949.

He found a bit of a second wind as a reliever in 1950. That year, he led the American League with 15 saves and finished 53 games.

Harris wrapped up his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1952. Over nine seasons from 1940 to 1952, with that four-year military gap, his final major league record stood at 59-71 with a 4.18 ERA.

Post-Red Sox Career: Senators and Indians

After those arm troubles in Boston, Harris got a new start as a reliever with the Washington Senators. He finished his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1952.

Trade to Washington Senators and Transition to Reliever

Harris joined the Washington Senators in 1950 after struggling in his last Red Sox seasons. That change of scenery seemed to help the veteran lefty.

Under manager Bucky Harris, Mickey went from a struggling starter to a pretty effective reliever. The new role fit him well.

His experience and veteran presence brought some stability to the Senators’ bullpen. Relief work let him make the most of whatever arm strength he had left.

Harris pitched well for Washington in 1950, even though he was past his prime. The Senators gave him a shot when starting jobs had disappeared elsewhere.

Leadership in AL Saves Leader and Relief Appearances

With Washington, Harris became one of the American League’s top relievers. His work out of the bullpen stood out for the Senators.

He used his experience to close out games, and the team leaned on him in tight spots. In 1951, Harris put up a 6-8 record with a 3.81 ERA for the Senators.

His win-loss record wasn’t flashy, but his value came in all those relief appearances. He ate up innings and brought some steadiness to the bullpen.

Harris shifted from being a starter to a dependable reliever. The Senators trusted his veteran leadership when it mattered.

Final Season with Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians picked Harris off waivers on April 22, 1952. At 35, he got one last shot in the majors. The Indians hoped his experience would help their bullpen.

Harris actually performed well that final season. He went 3-0 for Cleveland in 29 appearances in 1952. That perfect record was a pretty nice way to go out.

The Indians released him before the 1953 season. At that point, age 35, his pro baseball days were over. Harris finished with a lifetime record of 59-71 with a 4.18 ERA over nine seasons with three teams.

Pitching Style, Achievements, and Statistical Legacy

Mickey Harris put together a 59-71 career record with 534 strikeouts and a 4.18 ERA over nine big league seasons.

His best year, no question, came in 1946. That season, he went 17-9 and got All-Star recognition while helping the Boston Red Sox reach the World Series.

Noteworthy Season and All-Star Recognition

Harris peaked in 1946 with the Red Sox. That year, he posted a 17-9 record, his only season with double-digit wins.

He earned AL All-Star honors in 1946. That was the same year the Red Sox won the pennant, and Harris played a big role in the starting rotation.

His 1946 performance helped Boston get to their first World Series since 1918. Harris won his first seven starts that year, showing the kind of consistency every team wants.

That season really marked the high point of his major league career. Coming back from military service, he became a reliable starter for a team chasing a championship.

Strikeouts, ERA, and Innings Pitched Records

Over nine seasons, Harris racked up 534 strikeouts from 1940 to 1952. His career 4.18 ERA shows he was solid, if not spectacular, across several teams.

In 1941, Harris pitched 222 innings and put up a 3.25 ERA. That was one of his heavier workload years as a regular starter.

Here are his career stats:

• 59 wins, 71 losses
• 4.18 career ERA
• 534 total strikeouts

While serving in the Panama Canal Zone, Harris showed off his strikeout stuff. He set a Canal League single-game record by striking out 20 batters on March 27, 1945.

Role in 1946 World Series Against St. Louis Cardinals and Harry Brecheen

Harris started Games Two and Six of the 1946 World Series, both against the St. Louis Cardinals. He lost both times to Cardinals lefty Harry Brecheen.

In Game Two, Harris allowed just one earned run but still took a 3-0 loss. Boston’s bats just couldn’t get anything going against Brecheen.

Game Six hurt more. Harris gave up three runs in the third inning and Boston lost 4-1, ending their World Series hopes.

Those losses in the Series seemed to mark the start of Harris’s decline. After 1946, he never again won 10 games in a season. Arm troubles just kept holding him back as a starter.

Notable Opponents and Relationship with Teammates

Harris went up against some top-tier competition, including Hall of Famer Bob Feller. Early in his career, he lost to Feller and got a no-decision against Yankees pitcher Spud Chandler.

He played alongside guys like Sam Mele and Walt Masterson on the Red Sox and Senators. Harris had a confident, maybe even cocky, personality that sometimes rubbed teammates and managers the wrong way.

His relationship with manager Joe Cronin wasn’t always smooth. Harris’s overconfidence led to friction—he even publicly predicted he’d replace established pitchers at times.

Despite some conflicts, Harris kept things professional with his teammates. His military service and that perfect game in the Canal Zone earned him respect from other players who served during World War II.

Injuries, Retirement, and Life After Baseball

Mickey Harris’s baseball career got cut short by arm troubles that started during his military service and just wouldn’t go away. After battling those physical problems for years, Harris retired from pro baseball after the 1952 season at age 35. He had some brilliant moments, but injuries really kept him from reaching his full potential.

Chronic Arm Problems and Career Decline

Harris first hurt his pitching arm in 1943 while serving in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II. That injury kept him from helping the Balboa Brewers repeat as Canal Zone League champions.

Even though he came back from the war full of confidence, Harris never really got past his arm issues. After that 17-9 record in 1946 with the Red Sox, his days as an effective starter faded fast.

The arm problems forced Harris to reinvent himself as a relief pitcher. He had his best year in 1950 with the Senators, making 53 relief appearances and picking up 15 saves to lead the league.

Team doctors even told Harris not to touch a baseball for two weeks in June 1947. The pain and loss of effectiveness turned him from a promising starter into a journeyman reliever.

Retirement Following the 1952 Season

The Cleveland Indians picked Harris off waivers from the Senators on April 22, 1952. He put up a solid 3-0 record in 29 games for Cleveland, but the Indians let him go before the 1953 season.

At 35, Harris decided not to chase any more baseball jobs. His pro career officially ended with a 59-71 record and a 4.18 ERA in nine big league seasons.

After years of fighting arm problems, Harris just couldn’t keep going. He went from a confident young pitcher who once claimed he’d win 25 games to a veteran reliever just trying to hang on.

Death and Legacy in the Baseball Community

Harris died on April 15, 1971, in Farmington, Michigan. He was just 54.

They buried him at Naples Memorial Gardens in Naples, Florida.

People mostly remember his baseball legacy for what he brought to the 1946 Boston Red Sox pennant-winning team. Harris stands out as a key member of the starting rotation that helped Boston reach their first World Series since 1918.

He threw left-handed, and his career really shows how injuries can wreck even the most promising baseball stories. That perfect game he pitched while serving in the Panama Canal Zone still gets talked about, and his 1946 All-Star selection was another big moment in a career that, honestly, just didn’t get to go as far as it could’ve because of injuries.